What Happened?

The United Way of Central​ Iowa announced its 2026 advocacy ​agenda ‌at its annual Advocacy Breakfast.‍ The agenda outlines policy, fiscal, and educational priorities designed to advance the association’s five core elements of ⁢a thriving community: essential needs, early childhood success,⁤ education ⁣success,‌ economic chance, and health and ⁣well-being.The proclamation signals a continued commitment to addressing critical​ social issues in Central Iowa through legislative action.

Key‍ Priorities: A Deep Dive

Essential⁣ Needs

United Way will continue to champion safety-net programs vital to stability for Central Iowans. This includes advocating for robust funding and ​access to‌ Medicaid,⁤ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, affordable housing, and reliable public transportation. These programs are seen as foundational in reducing barriers⁢ to economic and‍ personal well-being.

• Affordable Housing: Supporting ​the OpportUNITY Affordable Housing Workgroup to alleviate housing cost⁣ burdens. This workgroup focuses on ⁢identifying and implementing solutions to increase​ the availability of ⁢affordable housing options.
• Homelessness: Promoting‌ strategies to connect unhoused individuals with supportive,‍ permanent housing solutions. This includes advocating for increased funding for programs that ⁣provide housing ⁤assistance and supportive services.
• Public Transit: Advocating for sustainable funding for ⁤public transit systems. ⁤ Reliable public ⁣transportation is crucial for accessing employment, healthcare, ⁢and other essential services.
• Food Security: Supporting funding for the statewide food security ⁤network. This ensures access to nutritious food for individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Early Childhood Success &‌ child Care⁢ Workforce

Recognizing the critical importance of early⁤ childhood development,United Way is ‌prioritizing policies that ensure access to quality,affordable child care for ‍all Iowans. ‌ A significant focus is placed on stabilizing and growing ⁤the child care ⁤provider workforce,‌ acknowledging the ⁤challenges faced ⁣by those working in this essential⁣ sector.

• Child Care Assistance Program: ‌ Increasing reimbursement rates and providing funding for enrollment through the state’s Child Care Assistance program.Higher reimbursement rates will ⁤help providers‍ cover⁢ costs and maintain quality, while enrollment funding will make child ⁤care more accessible to‌ families.
• Tax​ Exemptions: Advocating for state income tax exemptions for ​child care providers. This would provide financial⁢ relief to providers and help ⁢them ⁤reinvest in their programs.
• Pilot Program Permanency: Making‌ the Child Care Assistance provider pilot program permanent in law. This pilot program ‍has demonstrated positive results in improving access to child care, and⁣ making it permanent would expand its ⁢impact.
• Adaptability in Requirements: Seeking flexibility in weekly work and‍ education requirements for Child Care Assistance. This would allow more families to qualify for assistance and access the child care they need.
• Property Tax Assessments: Evaluating property tax assessments for child care centers. Fair property tax assessments are essential for ensuring the ‌financial viability of‍ child‌ care centers.
• Capacity Expansion: Expanding high-quality child care capacity⁢ through innovative ‌local strategies. This includes exploring new ‌models‍ of ⁣child care delivery and supporting the development of new child care facilities.

Why It Matters: the Impact on Central Iowa

These advocacy efforts directly address⁢ critical needs within Central Iowa. ⁣ lack⁣ of ⁤affordable housing, limited access to transportation, and ⁤insufficient child care options create significant barriers ‌to economic opportunity and overall well-being. ⁣By advocating for ⁢policies that address these issues, United Way aims to create a​ more equitable and thriving community for all residents.

Timeline ⁣& Next Steps

The United Way of Central Iowa will now engage in active lobbying efforts with