In This Issue
Federal Policy Update
State Policy Update
IAA Action Center
Legislation
Important Dates

Quick Links

February 2, 2018 

During the state legislative session, the IAA sends out a bi-weekly legislative update. In these emails you'll get an update on what's going on at the State Capitol, and in Congress, as well as actions you can take to advocate for afterschool!

We hope this communication is helpful to you!
Federal Policy Update
The president talked about his priorities for the budget in his State of the Union Address on January 30, 2018. He mentioned career and technical education and his budget recommendations could include additional funding to schools and community colleges to address this. It is expected that he will release his budget recommendations on February 12. 

Last year, the president's budget request eliminated  21st CCLC funding which would have left two million children without access to quality afterschool and summer learning programs. As the budget release date approaches, stay tuned for updates and ways to take action to ensure continued support for afterschool.
State Policy Update
Helpful Links
Click here to find your legislator. You can search by city, school district, county, or zip code.

To find bios, contact information, and photos of all the legislators, go to the Legislators page on the Iowa Legislature website. Select either "Senators" or "Representatives" on the left-side menu to see a complete list of all members, including links to their information page and district map. 

For a complete list of Senate and House committees and members, click here.

For a full list of Senate and House leadership, click here.
IAA Action Center
IAA Day at the Capitol

Join the Iowa Afterschool Alliance and other afterschool advocates at the State Capitol on February 13th to meet your legislators and let them know how important afterschool is to families across Iowa.

You are welcome to bring students from your program - we'll have ice cream sandwiches and space for them to present a project they have worked on in your program.

When:   Tuesday, February 13th 
             1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where:  Legislative Dining Room
 
Legislation
House File 2073 Allows schools to use at-risk students funding to cover salary, benefits, and professional development of licensed psychologists, licensed social workers, and licensed mental health counselors. Passed out of subcommittee and returns to the House Education Committee for a vote.

House File 2085 Makes elementary students eligible for school transportation to or from an in-home child care setting if it is within school boundaries but more than two miles from the school In House Education Committee waiting to be assigned to a subcommittee.

House File 2138  Creates a task force to create a unified educational data system.  In House Education Committee waiting to be assigned to a subcommittee.

House File 2176 Requires school employee training and protocols relating to suicide prevention and trauma-informed care. Passed out of subcommittee and returns to the House Education Committee for a vote.

House File 2204  Requires all ninth graders to complete cultural competency coursework. In the House Education Committee waiting to be assigned to a subcommittee.

Senate File 2046  Requires community colleges and regents universities to waive tuition for students majoring in programs leading to in-demand career fields. In Senate Education subcommittee with Chelgren, Dvorsky, and Kraayenbrink.
Important Dates
January 8           First Day of Session

February 6         IAA Conference Call
                              2 :00 pm
                              1-800-444-2801; 2895301
Join the IAA on a conference call one week before our legislative day at the Capitol for tips and tricks to meeting with your legislators.

February 13       IAA Afterschool Snack
                              1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
                              Legislative Dining Room

February 16       First Funnel
Final date for House bills to be passed out of House committees, and Senate bills out of Senate committees.

March 16            Second Funnel
Final date for Senate bills to be passed out of House committees and House bills to be passed out of Senate committees.

April 17               Target Adjournment Date

This update is a bi-weekly publication intended to share information and resources regarding legislative activities, events, and bills related to afterschool issues in Iowa. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Gracie Brandsgard at gbrandsgard@sppg.com
or 515-237-0340.