Executive Order 8

Sle aff Dow,

" Boccutive Department “a

IN THE NAME AND By THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF IOWA

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER EIGHT

WHEREAS, lack of available child care resources for parents is a significant barrier to increased labor force participation; and

WHEREAS, the unavailability of child care options significantly impedes the ability of parents to enter, re-enter, and stay in the workforce; and

WHEREAS, a strong Iowa economy relies on a strong child care system for working parents; and

WHEREAS, Iowa leads the nation for households with all parents working, but the state has too few options for child care; and

WHEREAS, the state has lost one-third of its child care providers in the last five years and faces an estimated shortfall of 350,000 child care slots; and

WHEREAS, twenty-three percent of Iowans live in child care deserts; and WHEREAS, child care is more expensive than housing for the average Iowa family; and

WHEREAS, child care is the backbone of our workforce and serves as an early learning platform for our children; and

WHEREAS, above and beyond the impacts to working parents, the lack of access to affordable child care hurts Jowa’s economy through lost tax revenue and employee absences; and

WHEREAS, it is essential for the state to receive input from employers, non-profit organizations, child care facilities, elected officials, rural economic development professionals, in-home daycare providers, and individuals in the financial sector to address these child care barriers; and

WHEREAS, the people of Jowa will benefit from a central point of coordination for efforts to address the numerous issues that contribute to the child care barrier to work in lowa.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby order the establishment of the Governor’s Child Care Task Force to serve as the central point of coordination for efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy to address Iowa’s child care crisis.

PURPOSE AND DUTIES

ie The Governor’s Child Care Task Force shall develop a comprehensive strategy to address the numerous issues that contribute to the child care barrier to work in Iowa. The Task Force will develop a roadmap to reduce both short- and long-term challenges to affordable and reliable child care throughout the entire State of lowa.

VOB The duties of the Governor’s Child Care Task Force shall include, but are not limited to, advising the Governor on:

A. Considering existing child care deserts in the State of Iowa, both with respect to location and economic disparity;

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B. Identifying child care regulations that pose barriers to increased child care slots in Iowa without compromising quality and safety;

Understanding the'so-called “child care cliff” effect;

D. Identifying child care workforce issues, including recruitment and retention, reimbursement rates, and health insurance;

E. Addressing the lack ‘of available financing options for the creation and infrastructure of daycare facilities; and

F. Developing solutions for the lack of employer-provided daycare facilities.

The :Governor’s ‘Child Care Task Force shall also provide oversight and coordination of all working groups established by this Executive Order.

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

Task Force Membership. The Governor’s Child Care Task Force shall consist of a chair, to be appointed by the Governor, and may include, but are not limited to, the following representatives committed to reducing the current child care barriers present in our state:

A: Individuals representing employers from across the state of various size and industry; B. Individuals representing ‘nonprofits, faith-based . organizations, or

community-based organizations;

Individuals representing owners or operators of large child care facilities;

Individuals representing rural economic development professionals:

Cc D. Elected mayors from metropolitan and rural areas: E F

Individuals representing in-home daycare providers; and G. Individuals representing the banking ‘sector.

Working Groups. The Governor shall appoint working groups to assist the Task Force in leveraging expertise and experience from interested stakeholders and community members beyond members of the Task Force..The Governor shall appoint a chair and any additional members she deems necessary for each working group. The following working groups shall be established:

A. Regulatory Barriers and Financing Options. This Working Group will address child care regulations that pose barriers to increased child care slots in Iowa and lack of available financing options for the creation and infrastructure of daycare facilities.

B. Expanding Eligibility for Child Care Assistance (CCA). This Working Group will study the so-called “child care cliff” effect.

C. Child Care Workforce Issues. This Working Group will address child care workforce issues, including recruitment and retention, reimbursement rates, and health insurance.

D. Increasing Employer Investment and Engagement Opportunities in Child Care. This ‘Working Group will address how to develop employer investment and engagement opportunities internally and -within Iowa communities.

Meetings. The Governor’s Child Care Task Force shall hold public meetings as scheduled by the chair of the Task Force.

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ATTEST:

Service as members. Appointed Task Force members, working group chairs, and working group members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and without compensation.

Staffing and Support. Staffing and administrative assistance for the Governor’s Child Care Task Force shall be provided by Iowa Workforce Development, the Department of Human Services, and by other agencies, persons, or organizations from time to time as deemed necessary or appropriate by the Task Force or the Office of the Governor.

IMPLEMENTATION AND INTERPRETATION

All departments, agencies, boards, or other political subdivisions of any state and local governments shall cooperate fully with the Governor’s Child Care Task Force, including but not limited to the Iowa Department of Workforce Development, the Iowa Department of Human Services, the lowa Economic Development Authority, the Iowa Department of Education, the lowa Department of Human Rights, and the Early Childhood Iowa State Board. The Task Force may seek the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside of its membership for research, advice, and other needs, as necessary or appropriate, to accomplish its mission.

All work of the Governor’s Child Care Task Force shall be done in a manner consistent with the laws and regulations of the State of Iowa, and of the laws and regulations of the United States of America.

This Executive Order shall be interpreted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and shall not supersede any laws or regulations in place as of its effective date. If any provision of this Executive Order is found to be invalid, unenforceable, or otherwise contrary to applicable law, then the remaining provisions of this Executive Order, as applied to any person or circumstance, shall continue in full force and effect and shall not be affected by such finding of invalidity or unenforceability.

This Executive Order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the State of Iowa, its departments, agencies, or political subdivisions, or its officers, employees, agents, or any other persons.

This Executive Order shall apply prospectively only as of its effective date.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED AT DES MOINES, IOWA THIS TENTH DAY OF MARCH IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE.

PAUL D. PATE SECRETARY OF STATE

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