We Can Do Better for Iowa's Children

By: Lisa Sieren

It’s August and it’s warm. But even the summer heat cannot overshadow the fire Women’s Leadership Connection members have for ensuring quality early learning for Iowa’s children. Last week, United Way of Central Iowa, Women’s Leadership Connection and Polk County Empowerment hosted "Meet and Greet for Kids," a legislative event to advocate for affordable quality early childhood programs.

Over 50 early childhood advocates, including WLC members and legislators, networked and discussed the importance of improving access to quality early learning programs. The highlight of the event was a short program that included the personal story by one family whose child attends Xochipilli Early Education Center at Hispanic Educational Resources. With a tight family budget and the father returning to college to complete his education, the family was unsure they would be able to keep their child at the center and they did not qualify for state child care assistance. With the help of child care scholarships, the child was able to remain at Xochipilli and receive quality early education.

Hearing the family’s story resonated with those in attendance, including me. What also resonated with me was a call to action by Debbie Hubbell, chair of the Women’s Leadership Connection Advocacy Committee, when she said "we can do better." And we can. That’s why interim legislative events like these are so important. Advocacy is a year-round effort. The state legislature is only in session a few months of the year. It takes efforts like these to build the relationships and support necessary to move an issue during session.