Every Child Matters in Iowa

We’re making Iowa kids a political priority • #iacaucus4kids • Program Manager @ApplegateJill • Want to talk? DM us! • Nonpartisan, nonprofit

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

Parents CAN’T get back to work without child care. We need action NOW to ensure that child care centers will be able to reopen to support children and families when we need them most. #Movement4ChildCare #ChildCareIsEssential

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

Investing in our children helps our future communities, economy & democracy. Let’s talk more about how to #InvestInKids. Join us & @VotingForKids for a conversation on children's health, #childcare & more during this year’s #DemConvention on 8/19. https://t.co/TklMlkNFPp

[Every Child Matters @VotingforKids]

We sat down with @KamalaHarris last Oct in Iowa to discuss her plan to support children and families as a Democratic primary candidate.

We're looking forward to hearing more from her as the Democratic nominee for Vice President on how she and her party will prioritize kids! #VP

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

TODAY, we’re urging Congress to #ThinkBabiesAndAct and fund #childcare in the #COVID19 response. Join us and thousands of advocates across the country by calling your Members of Congress!

Find the number and call-in script here: https://t.co/jFmd3whORg #SaveChildCare

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

@childfampolicy @SenJoniErnst @ChuckGrassley Thank you for hosting this important conversation!!

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A11. The story of Early Childhood Iowa—whose budget was drastically cut during the last recession (Culver era) and has never been restored, even to this day—is a great illustration of the damage that can be done to programs that serve our most vulnerable Iowans. #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q11. Moving on to state relief! This economic downturn is far worse than the Great Recession—and Iowa faces a $615 billion shortfall this year and next. How will this hurt Iowans if nothing is done? #PutPeopleFirst

[DMARC @DMARCunited]

A10. @SenJoniErnst, can Iowans count on you to support a temporary 15% increase to #SNAP in the next federal pandemic relief package? #PutPeopleFirst

[Medicaid Matters Coalition @IAforMedicaid]

A 15% boost would help Iowa families put food on the table AND pump $$ into local economies. A win-win! #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A10. One important step @SenJoniErnst and @ChuckGrassley must take in expanding and strengthening SNAP is require that states drop any work requirements that are cruely enforced to receive assistance.

We’re in a pandemic, people can’t work!! #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q10. What makes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, one of the best tools Congress can leverage during this economic crisis?

What should @SenJoniErnst & @ChuckGrassley include in the next relief bill? #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A9. EXPAND #SNAP BENEFITS!

The structure is already in place, what it needs in an influx of funds. #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q9. Let's talk #SNAP. Iowans are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. Our food pantries and banks are doing everything they can to meet the tremendous need. What else can be done to help folks access food? #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A7. Assistance programs like Medicaid are often the first to be 🔪when budgets fall short. Federal dollars are absolutely necessary in ensuring all Iowans can receive care, which is the key to protecting the entire community and moving past a pandemic like Covid. #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q7. Iowa’s #Medicaid Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal government and the state. With Iowa facing a budget shortfall, how would an increase in federal dollars for Medicaid help more Iowans stay insured? #PutPeopleFirst

[Disability Rights Iowa @D_R_Iowa]

A6. Medicaid! Iowans who have lost their health insurance may be eligible for free or low cost coverage. Go to https://t.co/PVEoiCnT59 or call 1-855-889-7985 for more info! #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A5. Our child care providers and system needs DEDICATED funding—NOT lumping child care in with other programs. The PPP is a great example of how a lack of dedicated funds failed child care, where only 6% of providers received assistance. #PutPeopleFirst https://t.co/GSpYzKL0GZ

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q5. This week Congress is negotiating what leaders are saying is the final relief bill of the year. How can @SenJoniErnst & @chuckgrassley support our families and providers? #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A4. Lack of funding for child care is decades in the making, and now the failure to provide immediate relief has compounded the ongoing issues - high turnover, low wages -leading to many centers and homes to permanently close their doors. #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q4. How has Covid-19 made these problems worse? And what has been done so far to help our child care industry? #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A2.2 Kids are now almost totally dependent on their parents for their caregiving, with many scrambling to balance work-from-home and child care duties. And parents who are essential workers are increasingly out of options, forcing to choose between work and kids. #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A2.1 This pandemic has far reaching consequences for kids at both this current moment and long-term. Young children are missing out on social and educational opportunities critical for their brain development that child care and preschool settings provide. #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q2. Many Iowans have been hit hard by the current health and economic crisis. What challenges are our kids, families and communities facing right now? #PutPeopleFirst

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

A1. Howdy y’all! We’re Every Child Matters in Iowa, a children’s advocacy organization dedicated to making kids issues a national priority! We focus on raising the profile of the needs of children and families during elections. #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Q1. Who’s with us today? Where in Iowa are you? And tell us about your important work. #PutPeopleFirst

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Thanks for joining our chat today! We’re excited to talk about how Congress must #PutPeopleFirst in the next relief bill. Let’s get started.

[CFPC Iowa @childfampolicy]

Join fellow advocates on Twitter next Wednesday (July 22) for a conversation on the challenges Iowans are facing — and how @SenJoniErnst & @ChuckGrassley can help our kids, families and communities get through this crisis. Join at 2PM using #PutPeopleFirst!

[Every Child Matters @VotingforKids]

From obstacle courses to facilitate social distancing & face shields rather than masks for socio-emotional learning, Lucy Mullen Davis @DenverECCouncil discusses strategies childcare centers are using for safe & developmentally appropriate reopening. https://t.co/c0DeaS3IL2 @npr

[Every Child Matters in Iowa @ECMIowa]

Today is the day! Excited to Rally to Save Child Care w/ @NWLC and @MomsRising, plus Special Guests @SenBooker @rosadelauro @SpeakerPelosi @SenWarren. Join us at 3:00 CT! #ChildCareIsEssential #SaveChildCare https://t.co/NkjQR4pst0