Early Childhood Iowa - Achieving Results

Mission Statement:

The Early Childhood Iowa Board builds community capacity to deliver a comprehensive and integrated early care, health and education system.

Early Childhood Iowa believes that ensuring a strong start for every child is a shared responsibility of every member of the Iowa community and promotes our state's early childhood vision: Every child, beginning at birth, will be healthy & successful. In order to make this vision a reality, Early Childhood Iowa programs receive on-going support to achieve proven results for children ages 0 - 5 years and their families.

Early Childhood Iowa was founded on the premise that communities and state government can work together to improve the well being of our youngest children. There are 58 Early Childhood Iowa Areas (CEA) statewide representing all 99 counties. Each area has a citizen-led board to support activities to promote collaboration and develop systems in the community for young children and their families.

At the state level, the Early Childhood Iowa Board supports state and community partnerships and promotes collaboration among education, health and human services. The board is comprised of 22 voting members: 16 citizens and the directors of the Departments of Economic Development, Education, Human Rights, Human Services, Public Health, and Workforce Development. Six legislators serve as ex-officio members. The Early Childhood Iowa Areas are also supported by an interagency collaboration. Members of this technical assistance team represent those state departments that serve on the Early Childhood Iowa Board.

Accountability measures are in place in every community in Iowa to demonstrate the capacity and commitment for achieving these results: Healthy Children, Children Ready to Succeed in School, Secure & Nurturing Families, Safe & Supportive Communities, and Secure & Nurturing Child Care Environments.