Iowa – Child Care Providers Gain Rights & a Raise

Des Moines, Iowa

In December, the state’s 6,000 registered child care providers ratified a historic first contract between Iowa AFSCME/Child Care Providers Together (CCPT) and the Department of Human Services that improves reimbursement rates and establishes new rights.   

“This is the first step to opening doors and windows so we can be heard as one voice,” says Kathleen Brown, a registered Des Moines child care provider and bargaining team member. “We are standing up to be counted and treated equally.”   

Their agreement includes a 2-percent rate increase for state-reimbursed care, and a novel and extensive “Bill of Rights” that calls for uniformity and consistency in state policies, and declares that providers shall be treated as professionals.   

The registered providers began their quest for dignity and respect in January 2006 when then-Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) signed an Executive Order requiring DHS to confer with their authorized representative. A month later, the providers chose AFSCME/CCPT as their union. Photo Credit: Jim Heemstra