2023 — Q1 Update on Childcare Challenges and CollaborationsCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 012.
Copyrighted
February 6, 2023
ITEM TITLE: 2023 — Q1 Update on Childcare Challenges and Collaborations
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a quarterly 2023 — Q1 Update on Childcare
Challenges and Collaborations and requests the City Council continues
to recognize and prioritize childcare as a community need in the coming
years.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
MVM Memo
Staff Memo
Type
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
St. Mark Summer Program Flyer Supporting Documentation
THE C
DUjIBQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2023 — Q1 Update on Childcare Challenges and Collaborations
DATE: February 1, 2023
Dubuque
WAWca 914
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Economic Development Director Jill Connors is providing a quarterly 2023 — Q1 Update
on Childcare Challenges and Collaborations and requests the City Council continues to
recognize and prioritize childcare as a community need in the coming years.
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Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
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DUB E
2007-2012.2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
Economic Development
Department
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
Office (563) 589-4393
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
SUBJECT: 2023 — Q1 Update on Childcare Challenges and Collaborations
DATE: January 31, 2023
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides a quarterly update on the status of collaboration efforts
among partners in Dubuque to address a need for sufficient quality, affordable childcare
options in the community.
BACKGROUND
Through the work of multiple partners over several years, the lack of access to quality,
affordable childcare has been identified as a barrier to employment and economic
prosperity in Dubuque.
In FY2019 the City Council committed $80,000 to Greater Dubuque Development to
support a pilot program developed to provide free childcare to Opportunity Dubuque
students and graduates at Northeast Iowa Community College. Then in FY2020 a small
group including City staff, as well as staff from Greater Dubuque Development, Northeast
Iowa Community College, and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque,
participated in a National League of Cities program (Cities of Opportunity), using that
opportunity to discuss our local childcare challenges. The program is designed to provide
a framework for how to address community -wide issues in order to achieve desired
outcomes.
During its annual goal setting, the Dubuque City Council identified "Childcare Initiative"
as a 2021-2023 High Priority. And its 2022-2024 priorities include implementation of the
Poverty Prevention and Reduction Plan, which calls for an Early Learning & Childcare
task force to address childcare deserts and the childcare worker shortage.
DISCUSSION
Our collective work continues to engage providers and local business owners to see
where partnerships might be made. Stemming from and in tandem with the work with the
National League of Cities, the small group began to have a larger conversation with
additional organizations suited to address childcare issues. This local coalition is
collaborating to address current challenges and to identify next steps in this work for a
community -wide approach to providing sufficient affordable, quality childcare in Dubuque
to support families, employers, workforce, and childcare providers.
Our local coalition is comprised of the following partners:
• City of Dubuque
• Childcare Resource & Referral
• Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
• Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
• Dubuque Community School District
• Dubuque County Early Childhood
• Dubuque Initiatives
• Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
• Northeast Iowa Community College
• St. Mark Youth Enrichment
EXAMPLES OF THE WORK
The coalition members are supporting the availability of childcare in the community in the
following ways.
City of Dubuque
City Economic Development staff convenes these partners monthly, with intermittent
communication as needed, to coordinate each organization's efforts to ameliorate the
lack of adequate capacity of quality, affordable childcare.
In late 2021, City Council took action to modify city zoning requirements for "child
development homes" which previously would need to be located in a residential area.
Planning staff worked with Childcare Resource & Referral and identified this zoning
requirement as a barrier to having childcare in more locations in the community.
The City has recently committed to distribute Childcare Resource & Referral fliers to
individuals signing up for City utility services. This is an opportunity to share this resource
2
information with both new and existing residents who may not be aware of how to find
childcare options for their family.
In 2022, City Council approved a $300,000 grant to assist the Dream Center with its
purchase of 2540 Central Avenue (former Fulton School), as well as lending support to
local companies applying to the state for childcare funding. In addition, City Council
approved the removal of the city block bounded by 7th/Locust/8th/Bluff Streets from the
Downtown Neighborhood Conservation District to accommodate the development of a
new childcare center. This new center will be developed by Cottingham & Butler, utilizing
funds from a $3,000,000 State of Iowa Childcare Business Incentive Grant. The facility
is estimated to provide childcare for up to 182 children ages 6 weeks old through fourth
grade.
Childcare Resource & Referral
Childcare Resource & Referral, in partnership with Dubuque County Early Childhood
Services, with funding from the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, offers $5,000
grants to individuals opening a new childcare home. 10 of these grants were awarded in
2021. For the 2022-2023 round of grants, Childcare Resource & Referral received 63
inquiries for the program and 10 new providers are now registered childcare homes —
continually increasing capacity in the community.
Childcare Resource & Referral is working with about 15 childcare providers on Iowa
Quality for Kids (IQ4K). IQ4K is Iowa's new Quality Rating and Improvement System for
Health & Human Services -licensed early learning programs. There are currently 5
providers in Dubuque who are rated on the new system. Programs committing to the new
system build on program quality every year. Childcare Resource & Referral consultants
help guide programs through their application.
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque has an "Every Child Reads" program
which focuses on providing access to books to children in our community. Kindergarten
readiness has been one of the primary pillars of the "Every Child Reads" program. High -
quality and accessible childcare is one of the critical factors for achieving kindergarten
readiness, and the Childcare Coalition's work to build Dubuque's childcare capacity has
been an important systems -level focus on childcare which is extremely important for
helping Dubuque children build reading proficiency and academic success.
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce staff have been monitoring state and federal legislation to
help advise our coalition of possible next steps in our work. They are in close contact
3
with Iowa's federal legislative staff, as well as legislative staff from our Illinois and
Wisconsin — advocating for childcare supports. The following state bills are currently
being watched:
HF51 Childcare assistance (CCA) payments for children who are absent
• Allows childcare providers to bill for CCA if they would have billed for a
private pay student. Currently absences are not billable under CCA.
• Chamber has registered "For".
HSB50 CCA eligibility for full time childcare providers
• Allows childcare employees automatic eligibility for CCA for their own
children.
• Chamber has registered "Undecided".
HF47 Tax exemption for childcare providers
• Allows childcare employees full exemption from state taxes.
• Chamber has registered "For".
SF62 Childcare eligibility and reimbursement rates
• Increases eligibility and reimbursement rates for providers.
• Chamber registered "Undecided".
**A reminder of state legislation that passed last year and is now in effect:
The Governor released programs that support employers who create onsite or near -site
childcare facilities (or who assist in infrastructure improvements at current facilities)
and/or who buy current childcare slots that would be reserved for their employees.
In addition, the economic development appropriations bill included an employer childcare
tax credit introduced by Senator Koelker. Under this program, if an employer spends
funds to support childcare needs of their workforce, they can get a state income tax credit
of $150,000 up to 25% of their costs. This is designed to match and mirror the federal
Chapter 45F program.
The legislature also removed some regulatory barriers for childcare providers which were
met with varying levels of support/opposition including an increase in the staff ratio for 2-
and 3-year-old care to meet the national average in both settings. The legislature also
reduced the minimum age from 18 to 16 for staff to provide unsupervised care.
Dubuque Community School District
In 2022, DCSD was awarded a $10,000 BELIEF Grant (Blended Early Learning in
Educational Foundations) to explore options for wraparound care. These funds were
utilized for Dubuque Initiatives' investigation of how DCSD and Dubuque Initiatives can
partner at Dubuque Initiatives' new facility on Chavenelle Road.
4
DCSD has established before school programming in 8 of its 12 elementary schools. The
District has partnered with Y-Care at Table Mound, Carver, and Eisenhower; is partnering
with the City of Dubuque's Leisure Services department to establish before school care
at Prescott, Marshall, and Lincoln; and the Dubuque Community School District
Foundation awarded grant dollars to the District's Elementary Department to support
before school care at Sageville and Audubon.
Dubuque County Early Childhood
Early Childhood Iowa has moved from the Department of Management to the Department
of Health & Human services (HHS). FY2023 saw decreases in state funding, and
additional cuts are expected this coming year. Dubuque County Early Childhood
continues to fundraise annually to support the decrease in state funding. This year's
Fundraising Dinner is scheduled for April 26, 2023.
Dubuque County Early Childhood continues to offer the New In -Home Incentive program.
They are working with this coalition's partners to secure additional support for childcare
and the childcare workforce.
Dubuque County Early Childhood is partnering with Childcare Resource & Referral on an
upcoming legislative event, scheduled for February 17, 2023.
The annual Kids Expo will be held October 7, 2023 at the Grand River Center. This event
will be similar to events prior to COVID, with many sponsorship opportunities and hands-
on activities for families.
Dubuaue Initiatives
Dubuque Initiatives (a local 501(c)(3)) has received a $2.1 million grant from the State of
Iowa and invested $2.2 million of its own funds to develop a facility that is intended to
expand community childcare capacity and fill specific "gaps" reported by area employers
and employees (new infant, emergency or drop -in, and shift care).
Dubuque Initiatives has recently purchased 7900 Chavenelle Road to serve as a facility
to provide a larger scale childcare provider center on Dubuque's west end. The focus is
on helping recruit, retain and support a workforce for the childcare industry, as well as a
focus on "gaps" in available childcare options, as mentioned above. A key effort is to
engage area employers in developing the needed childcare capacity for its workforce.
Designs are underway and costs are being developed for the facility's remodeling.
5
Dubuque Initiatives anticipates being fully operational by the end of the year, partnering
with Y-Care (YMCA/YWCA), which will be the onsite childcare provider. Dubuque
Initiatives will be coordinating with employers wishing to reserve space for their workforce
and then providing an open enrollment process.
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
In 2022, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation commissioned a survey of local
businesses and providers to understand their needs in the realm of childcare in order to
attract and retain a workforce. Greater Dubuque has supplied that information to
Dubuque Initiatives to inform its efforts. Greater Dubuque Development has now
developed a survey that employers can use with their employees in order to understand
the magnitude of childcare needs, both of current employees as well as their families and
friends (as potential employees). The results of this survey will be utilized to help
Dubuque Initiatives create cost estimates for employer participation at the new facility.
Northeast Iowa Communitv Colleae
Northeast Iowa Community College offers a course to increase the number of childcare
providers. This pathway certificate prepares students for entry-level work as caregivers
in a childcare center and/or transfer into the Early Childhood Education diploma program.
Students may be eligible to receive a $12/hour stipend in an "earn and learn" model and
may qualify to earn a Career Pathway Certificate at no cost if they meet all eligibility
requirements. Students are able to receive no cost childcare for their children during their
training hours. This is offered in partnership with the Marita Theisen Childcare Center.
Additionally, students who are not eligible for DHS Childcare Assistance are able to
receive childcare assistance for up to one year post program completion. The student
pays more of their own childcare cost, on a step process, while continuing to work with
an NICC College and Career Coach and while actively employed in their area of training.
A new cohort is starting in March 2023, and coaches are currently recruiting students.
St. Mark Youth Enrichment
St. Mark Youth Enrichment is seeking new/additional space for its early childhood
programming. They are currently working closely with architects on a potential space in
hopes of being up and operating sometime in 2024.
St. Mark Youth Enrichment's summer program registration will open at the end of
February and can be found on its website. St. Mark enrolls students entering
Kindergarten -entering 5th grade in both Dubuque and Western Dubuque. It's a 5-week
program over the summer. (flyer attached)
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CHALLENGES
Uncompetitive work benefits for childcare providers
Recruiting and retaining qualified childcare providers will depend on the industry's ability
to compete with other career paths.
The State has undertaken a process to develop the structure for a "shared services
alliance" that would serve childcare providers with benefits (health insurance, PTO,
retirement plan, etc.) as well as "back of house" support (payroll, HR, legal, technology,
etc.) in an effort to make the childcare industry more efficient and financially viable. The
state is funding and piloting some activity in Iowa City, Des Moines, and Sioux City.
However, they are starting with technology -based efforts regarding the general
administrative efficiency of a childcare home or small center. It appears that it will be
some time before this shared services structure will begin to address the most critical
issue for childcare — namely, access to a qualified and stable workforce.
Lack of program funding
Dubuque County Early Childhood took a 10% cut in state funding in the current fiscal year
due to the formula funding initiative that started five years ago (some counties received
increases in their allocation based on the formula). Formula funding at the state level
changes this year, so we are unsure how the funding will be allocated moving forward.
When state funding is cut, some of the smaller programs that Childcare Resource &
Referral offers go away in order to keep operational funds in place. Some examples of
programs that have been affected are CPR/First Aid rebates (funds to reimburse childcare
providers for their CPR/First Aid classes, which is a state requirement to be
registered/licensed); childcare provider training, which provides high quality training to
childcare providers at no/low cost to ensure they are meeting their annual training hours;
and quality improvement grants — when a licensed center or registered provider has
needs (i.e., new equipment, new developmentally appropriate toys, safety equipment),
these grants have been available for providers to apply for to meet those needs.
Also at the state level, the legislature has failed to provide additional funding for DHS
Childcare Assistance, the WAGE$ program, and the T.E.A.C.H. program which would
alleviate key issues in childcare — the combination of the inability of families to afford care
and the inability of facilities to pay competitive wages.
BENEFITS OF OUR COLLABORATION
We have found our monthly meetings to be very important for hearing from our partners
in the field about new developments, and for having a forum for elevating new challenges
and opportunities that we identify during the course of our work.
RECOMMENDATION/ ACTION STEP
I respectfully request the City Council continues to recognize and prioritize childcare as a
community need in the coming years.
1201 Locust St
June 15th - July 26th (no program week of July 4th)
7:45 am- 12:15 pm (Breakfast & Lunch)
Incoming Kindergarten
1st & 2nd grade classroom
3rd - 5th grade themed classrooms
PROJECT FOOD16LOGY
NATURE
So T. E. A. M+ NAVIGA30RS
For more Info & Follow up, Contact Amelia
at afoley@stmarkyouthenrichment.org
Registration opens in late February
www.stmarkVouthenrichment.org
ST. MARKJOkk
ENRICHMENT
Learning today, leading tomorrow
yf R0E5
Western Dubuque
813 12th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA
June 15th - July 26th (no program week of July 4th)
8am- Noon (snack)
Incoming Kindergarten - 1st Grade
2nd & 3rd Project STEAM
4th - 5th grade Nature Navigators
NAVIGATOS.RS
For more Info &Follow up,
Amelia at afoley@stmarkyouthenrichment.org
Registration opens the end of February 2023
Registration Deadline: END of March, 2023
www.stmarkVoutheirchment.org
ST. MARKJO[Atk
ENRICHMENT
Learning today, leading tomorrow
CERTIFIED TEACHING POSITIONS AVAILABLE
June 15th - July 26th
(no program week of July 4th)
Morning Half Day Program
Campuses in Dyersville & Dubuque
Incoming Kindergarten - 5th Grade
For more Info & Follow up, Contact Amanda at
aavenarius@stmarkyouthenrichment.org
www.stmarkVouthenrichment.org
ST. MARKVOtAtk
ENRICHMENT
Learning today, leading tomorrow