Supporting Our Youngest Citizens

By Sherri Edwards, Dubuque County Empowerment

How can we raise healthy and successful children in Dubuque County? Have you ever pondered this thought? Let me tell you why we all need to be concerned and how we can get a good start.

Is there an early care crisis?

Did you know that Iowa ranks second in the nation with 71.3% of children under age six living in families where both parents work (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002)? Many families in Dubuque County use early care in centers, homes, preschools, or other situations provided by friends and neighbors. Quality openings can have long waiting lists. Even when families find openings, sometimes these involve high fees, limited hours, and turnover in staffing.

What are the benefits of quality early care?

Our whole community benefits when children access high quality child care, education, and health services. All are essential to support the best in child development plus economic progress for our county. Quality early care better prepares children to start school, score higher on tests, and require less special education. It also increases high school graduation rates; increases the likelihood of college education; improves employment opportunities; reduces crime; and enhances quality of life (Early Care and Education Collaborative, Communications Consortium Media Center).

The economic benefits are real as well. For every $1 invested in early care, over $7 is returned to the community (Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis). Quality early care improves the productivity of working parents while strengthening our whole community. Research on early childhood overwhelmingly shows that children who get quality early care are better prepared to become the workforce of tomorrow and succeed throughout their lives.

What can you do?

Make Dubuque County an even better place for children! For further details on any of the following opportunities, contact Dubuque County Empowerment:

•Schedule a speaker on early care for your business or organization.
•Obtain information on quality in early care and access local providers.
•Join one of Dubuque County Empowerment’s task forces to build and improve early care for all children in Dubuque County.
•Write a letter to the editor or lobby your legislators to support early care for our children.

Together we can help the children of Dubuque County grow and thrive. For more information, go to www.empowerdubuque.org or call (563) 583-1037.