Legislative Update

The 2024 Legislature is off and running and boy there is a lot that is being proposed and not always in the best interests of Iowan's experiencing low income! Please take a look at some of the legislation we're following:

HSB 552 BANNING GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS Prohibits any city or county from enacting a guaranteed income program without express authorization in state law. Gives the AG the power to enforce the prohibition. AMENDED & PASSED 13-6; FM: Holt  

HF 2273 FEDERAL HOUSING VOUCHERS (Croken, 4 Ds) (Local Government) Strikes the prohibition on enforcing city and county ordinances that restrict the right of a landlord to refuse federal housing vouchers.  

SF 2193 DISASTER GRANTS (State Government; Successor to SSB 3061) FM: McClintock Increases the amount of emergency disaster grants to $7,000. Allows the DHS/ED to implement on-going contracts with local entities to administer disaster grants  

HF 2173/SF2120: Seasonal Temporary Lay-Offs and Unemployment Benefits

HF 219/SF226: Seasonal Temporary Lay-Offs and Unemployment Benefits

SF2069: Modernization of Nutrition Programs

HF 2056 CHILDCARE SUPERVISION BY TEENS (Sorenson) (Health & Human Services) Wood (C), Baeth, Best

Requires the DHHS to amend its rules to allow childcare center employees who are at least 16 to supervise

children up to the age of 5, provided that at least two other employees over the age of 18 are present at

the center.

HF 2267   MOMS PROGRAM (Dunwell) (Health & Human Services) Bergan (C), Jeneary, Matson Allows the DHHS to administer the MOMS program through a contract with a pregnancy support provider. Changes reporting dates and makes conforming changes.  

SSB 3073 GOVERNOR AEA/TEACHER BILL (Education) Evans (C), Donahue, Rozenboom See HSB 542

HF 2055 ENDING SCHOOL VACCINE MANDATES (Shipley) (Education) Strikes the requirements for a child to be immunized in order to enroll in school or childcare. Requires the DHHS to give information on the risks of communicable diseases and immunizations to childcare centers and schools, to be shared with parents. Requires DHHS to work with the DOE on rules and makes conforming changes.  

HF 2043 TEMPORARY CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE (Jones) (Health & Human Services) Requires the DHHS to develop criteria for paying a parent for the care of a child with a temporary health condition that prevents the child attending a licensed or registered childcare home/facility if the parent does not qualify for state childcare assistance. Makes definitions.  

HF 2042 SUMMER EBT PROGRAM II (Isenhart) (Health & Human Services) EBT: Requires DHHS and DOE to submit a letter of intent to participate in the summer EBT program to the USDA and to coordinate efforts. Appropriates $2.9 million from the GF to the DHHS for the administration of the summer EBT program. Authorizes that part of the funds can be used to contract with the UI College of Public Health to evaluate the impact of the program Double Up: Appropriates $2.8 million to the Double-Up food program.  

Advocacy

The Community Action Network shows up to advocate for things that are important to them! Check out some of the fun photos from the FaDSS Day on the Hill Event that occurred on January 25th.

ICAA Board of Directors and other agency staff will be hosting Legislators at the ICAA Legislative Breakfast on February 14, from 7 - 9 AM at the State Capitol. Check out our Legislative Priorities to learn more about the topics that are important to this network and those we serve.  

Iowa Head Start Association is hosting its Legislative Breakfast on March 7 from 7:30 - 9.

ICAA Conference: SPARK – A Summit for Good Is Happening

We are thrilled to announce the dates for this year’s event. Be sure to mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details this spring. Check out our Call for Presenters opportunity ~ we’d love for you to consider sharing your expertise at the summit. Submissions are due by February 16th. 

Book your sleeping room at the event venue here.

If you can't join this time around,

be sure to come back for the next book,

"The Handmaid's Tale"

Please visit this website to sign-up to receive updates about and/or join ICAA's Book Club!

Meet Our Team Members

Tatum Vermeer is a graduate student at ASU online and is studying to get their Masters in Social Work. Tatum was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa and tutors children with learning disabilities. Tatum is interested in becoming a community social worker, and in their free time Tatum loves to cook, create art, play the piano and play games with friends. At ICAA, Tatum is working on helping plan the annual ICAA Conference, analyzing customer survey data, helping with poverty simulations, and attending lobbying/advocacy sessions.

Welcome Tatum!



Kathey Eady is the Americorp Vista Volunteer who has been assigned to ICAA since May 2023. Kathey has been helpful in assisting with the 2023 ICAA Conference, poverty simulations in various locations around Iowa and the day to day operations of the ICAA office.

Welcome Kathey!

Leadership Development Is Happening

The 2024 ELITE & High Impact Cohorts are beginning in February with a record number of participants. To learn more about ICAA’s leadership development opportunities click here or reach out to Tiffany at ICAA. 

Orientation to Community Action Is Happening

Are you new(er) to the Community Action network? Join ICAA Thursday, March 28th at 9AM for this webinar and you’ll have an opportunity to meet with peers from across the state, regional and national network as we discuss the mission and uniqueness of Community Action. We will look at the national Community Action Theory of Change and you will learn about key Community Action partners. ICAA has countless resources and support available that we want you to be aware of – don’t miss this opportunity to get connected! Register here today!

Click here to see ICAA's Events Calendar for all the latest trainings, network events, and more!