The Johnson County Board of Supervisors recently approved a request to update eligibility requirements and increase the incentive amount for the Child Care Assistance Incentive Program. The program now serves children up to the age of 47 months and offers reimbursement of up to $300 per month for each eligible child participating in the Iowa Child Care Assistance (CCA) program.

The Child Care Assistance Incentive Program was launched in 2023 to address a critical gap where only 9% of childcare slots in Johnson County were accessible to families participating in the Child Care Assistance program through the state of Iowa. Funding for Johnson County’s incentive program is provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with a total budget of $575,000 allocated to support childcare providers through December 2026.

“This initiative underscores Johnson County’s commitment to addressing critical gaps in early childhood education and supporting our local providers,” said Laurie Nash, Youth & Family Services Manager. “By increasing the reimbursement amount and raising the age qualifier from 35 to 47 months, we aim to further alleviate financial barriers for childcare providers and make quality childcare more accessible to families in need.”

The program is open to licensed childcare centers and registered child development homes in Johnson County that participate in IQ4K. Reimbursement begins after a child’s eligibility is confirmed, ensuring that compensation does not exceed the provider’s private pay rate.

Providers are encouraged to learn more about eligibility and how to apply at https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/cca-incentive-program, or contact Johnson County Social Services at (319) 356-6090, [email protected].