February 2022
What we have been up to:

  • We kicked off the new year by presenting to Early Childhood Iowa and interested stakeholders on how I2D2 is being used to guide decision-making in early childhood programs. Find our presentation along with the other presenters slideshows HERE
  • I2D2 was featured in the most recent issue of Kansas Child magazine from Child Care Aware of Kansas. The article highlights work of Director Rouse and AISP partners to develop a framework to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children. This framework considers the impact of imbedded stressors caused by housing, health, employment, education, and economic inequities have affected marginalized communities throughout the pandemic. See the whole issue HERE
"There is no such thing as a race-neutral algorithm". When I2D2 links data, not only do we look at the sample we have, but at who may be missing from that data set. This requires a balance of similarity and sensitivity that I2D2 is working towards by implementing a human-lead algorithm and emphasizing transparency in recording and documentation. LISTEN to how I2D2 is working to ensure equity in data integration.
The child care shortage is hitting Iowa hard, costing parents, businesses, and taxpayers a total of $369 million dollars annually. Check out the I2D2 data brief examining how the child care crisis is impacting Iowans. READ
Families reported that virtual visits have allowed them to spend more time discussing their mental health, resources, child development, self-care and more. IDPH started the Phones for Families program to help families continue access to needed services like Early Access, Home Visiting, and Maternal Child Health. Read the report HERE
COVID-19 Research, Evaluation, and Data Agenda for Child Care and Early Education This tool is intended to provide resources for decision-makers to identify key questions and research methods to study child care and early education in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agenda can: "(1) alert decision makers to racial and economic inequities in outcomes and promote tracking of key equity indicators, (2) encourage the development of new projects and data initiatives, (3) support the synthesis of information across projects, (4) identify key topics for consideration that may be otherwise overlooked, and (5) promote the application of knowledge to planning and development."

Child Care Licensing Study, United States, 2017 This study provides information about child care licensing programs and the facility requirements for various child care entities. The survey collected information on number of licensed facilities, complaint investigations, licensing staff, enforcement actions, types of inspections, and more.

Defining "Rural" for the Study of Human Services Programs in Rural Contexts This mixed-methods project aimed to "provide a rich description of human services programs in rural contexts", "determine the unmet need for human services in rural communities, and "identify opportunities for strengthening the capacity of human services programs to promote the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities in rural contexts".
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  • I2D2 will be releasing a study investigating how family support and home visiting can help moms who live in areas where birthing units have closed to access the prenatal care they need.