Written by: Kathy Lloyd, Child Care Resource & Referral
The North Iowa Capitol Day on the Hill is an event where North Iowa business and community leaders have the opportunity to go to the Capitol in Des Moines and share their successes, look for networking opportunities with legislators, and support legislative issues. I attended knowing this would be a platform allowing me to advocate for the barriers we face both in child care issues in the North Iowa area and our state in totality. This event is a major opportunity for us in the child care industry to build relationships with legislators and to give our issues a voice.
My day began early in the morning as we presented our material to local legislators at the state level. My cohorts and I presented our data that represented what kind of impact we have made on the community through our work and the difference that can be made. The event was a great opportunity to highlight the work and what we’ve been able to achieve. We added children to our rosters, adding employees to our local centers and lowered our child care center waitlists, resulting in opening 121 child care slots. The Day on the Hill also allows legislators to attach a face to the people in our community, providing a humanistic appeal to our campaign. By the day’s end, we made our presence known and felt.
One day down in Des Moines is more than just a day of highlighting success or networking. It’s a day where we have the opportunity to remind people of the impact that can be made in a community. It’s a glorious opportunity to help people remember the importance of what allows a community to truly succeed. For me that message was a sharing what can be accomplished when we work together to build strong workforce when child care is readily available. If we’re not there increasing interest and advocating for changes we want to see, that opportunity goes by squandered.