When families are healthy and well, children can learn and grow, caregivers can fully contribute, and Iowa’s economy and communities can prosper. Policies shape the conditions that promote families’ health and well-being. Our leaders can ensure all Iowans have access to essential needs and supportive connections to foster a thriving state.
2023 Legislative AgendaThe Iowa ACEs Policy Coalition, made up of more than 40 organizations statewide, advocates for policies that promote positive community conditions, reduce family stress and trauma, and create a thriving Iowa for all.
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Priority Focus: Caring for Our Caregivers
We all want Iowa to be a safe, prosperous place to live. Promoting caregiver health and well-being is an effective common-sense strategy to build and sustain a thriving Iowa. When caregivers are healthy and well, children can learn and grow, families can fully contribute, and Iowa's economy and communities can flourish.
The relationship between caregiver and child builds the foundation for a thriving state. A caregiver is a child’s first and most important teacher, nurse, safety officer, and guide to the world. But caregivers alone do not create the conditions kids need to thrive. The policies we design and the environments we create can either empower caregivers or make it harder for them to succeed and care for their families. Policies should give caregivers the freedom to make choices that support an entire family’s well-being.
Access to health care, home visiting, and paid time off create opportunities for caregivers to have the support and skills they need, build financial stability, and focus on nurturing relationships with their kids—all of which help prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and promote children’s lifelong healthy development. An investment in caregivers today is an investment in our state.
Policy Asks
We all want Iowa to be a safe, prosperous place to live. Promoting caregiver health and well-being is an effective common-sense strategy to build and sustain a thriving Iowa. When caregivers are healthy and well, children can learn and grow, families can fully contribute, and Iowa's economy and communities can flourish.
The relationship between caregiver and child builds the foundation for a thriving state. A caregiver is a child’s first and most important teacher, nurse, safety officer, and guide to the world. But caregivers alone do not create the conditions kids need to thrive. The policies we design and the environments we create can either empower caregivers or make it harder for them to succeed and care for their families. Policies should give caregivers the freedom to make choices that support an entire family’s well-being.
Access to health care, home visiting, and paid time off create opportunities for caregivers to have the support and skills they need, build financial stability, and focus on nurturing relationships with their kids—all of which help prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and promote children’s lifelong healthy development. An investment in caregivers today is an investment in our state.
Policy Asks
- Extend Medicaid coverage from two months to 12 months postpartum.
- Increase access to evidence-based home visiting programs, including prenatal support.
- Expand access to paid leave benefits.
Case for Policies
Dive deeper into each of our policy asks and gather talking points you can use in conversations with leaders.
Dive deeper into each of our policy asks and gather talking points you can use in conversations with leaders.
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Collaborating on Advocacy
While our emphasis this session is on caregiver well-being, we will join our partners in advocating for or against policies based on these values:
Collaborating on Advocacy
While our emphasis this session is on caregiver well-being, we will join our partners in advocating for or against policies based on these values:
- All people have inherent worth.
- The future can be different.
- Healing and belonging occur through connection and trusting relationships.
- Our identity is shaped by our history, culture, and unique experiences.
- The freedom to create change contributes to individual and collective well-being.
Regional Conversations
In November 2020, Iowa ACEs 360 partnered with local coalitions addressing childhood trauma and leading health and human services organizations to hold virtual regional advocacy engagement events. These interactive discussions engaged leaders with updated data on Iowa ACEs and the framework for understanding what can contribute to ACEs. Participants then identified opportunities for systems changes that would support Iowans.
These conversations were about elevating the voice of Iowa communities to influence collective advocacy, so our systems promote prevention of ACEs and healing for Iowans. Below are summaries of each of these conversations. Thank you to the individuals and groups who partnered with us to host these sessions.
These conversations were about elevating the voice of Iowa communities to influence collective advocacy, so our systems promote prevention of ACEs and healing for Iowans. Below are summaries of each of these conversations. Thank you to the individuals and groups who partnered with us to host these sessions.
The National Trauma Campaign
Join this nationwide grassroots campaign to engage congressional offices and other federal leaders in supporting policies, programs, legislation, and appropriations that prevent and respond to childhood trauma and build resilience.
Rep. Joel Fry, Sen. Liz Mathis, Rep. Bob Kressig, and Rep. Michael Bergan spoke at the Iowa Resiliency Summit in August 2019.
Additional Resources
This section includes resources which could be used by individuals, groups or entire communities to inform political leaders, legislators, and the legislative process around issues related to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress.
- ACEs Connection, Iowa ACEs Action group
- State Actions to Prevent and Mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences
- PACES Connection - Policy & Legislation
- Why aren't kids a policy priority - Frameworks Institute
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child resources
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network and Public Policy