Each year United Way works with legislators, communities, programs, and leaders across the state of Iowa to establish mission-driven public policy goals and priorities to achieve systemic changes.

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United to Thrive PuzzleUNITED to THRIVE

The 5 Elements of a Thriving Community are the interconnected areas of focus United Way of Central Iowa uses to create strategies and set goals to improve the lives of every person in our community.

 

ESSENTIAL NEEDS

  • Lead efforts to begin state investment in the statewide 211 coalition for health and human services resource referral, disaster recovery, and a tool to address social determinants of health.
  • Support the efforts of the OpportUNITY Affordable Housing Workgroup to address affordable housing and reduce cost-burdens for families seeking homeownership.

      • Support efforts to create pathways for expungement of eviction proceedings to allow tenants
        better access to housing.

      • Support increased workforce housing tax credits to build new affordable housing infrastructure.
  • Support direct appropriations for the overall food security system and the Double Up Food Bucks program from the Healthiest State Initiative, allowing SNAP participants better access to healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables.

  • Support efforts to increase SNAP access post-pandemic by bringing Iowa’s income eligibility more in line with federal guidelines.

  • Support sustainable funding for public transportation systems in the central Iowa region and statewide.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SUCCESS

  • Lead efforts to build innovative programs and investment to address childcare workforce shortages and support quality, affordable childcare for all.
Solutions include:
    • State income tax exemptions for childcare providers.

    • Extend pilot programs to allow providers access to the state’s Child Care Assistance program.

    • Extend paid absences for the Child Care Assistance program.

    • Address property tax valuation for childcare centers to reduce overhead.

    • Maximize local, high quality, childcare capacity through innovative strategies.

  • Support efforts to expand high-quality preschool opportunities for children, including all-day preschool.

EDUCATION SUCCESS

  • Support quality work-based learning and strengthen pathways for youth employment with an emphasis on creating a plan for post-graduation career, training, or education opportunities.

  • Continue to support English-language learners by increasing opportunities and funding for instruction and support.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

  • Support quality job creation that provides the necessary training, education, and professional development to ensure workers are equipped to succeed in their work and career.

Support the recommendations of the Iowa Skills2Compete Coalition including:

    • Lead efforts to increase affordable access to quality childcare and promote stabilization in the childcare workforce.

    • Support efforts to expand equitable access to broadband across central Iowa.

    • Maintain current investments in Future Ready Iowa, adult basic education, PACE programs, pathway navigators, industry sector partnerships, and GAP tuition assistance.

    • Expand PACE programs to include apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities.

    • Lead efforts to expand engagement with the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training program (SNAP E&T).

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

  • Support children’s mental health and well-being by leading the Coalition to Advance Mental Health in Iowa for Kids (CAMHI4KIDS).

  • Educate policymakers on the importance of overall oral health in partnership with the Oral Health Iowa coalition.

  • Support the recommendations of the Iowa ACEs 360 Coalition (Adverse Childhood Experiences).

2024 Legislative Agenda (PDF)

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Your Elected Officials

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Iowa General Assembly

Learn about current legislation, committee meetings and legislators at the Iowa General Assembly website.

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Governor Kim Reynolds

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds

This website includes press releases, commentary and constituent services for Iowa’s governor.Forward-Arrow.png

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State Legislators

 

Use this website to find your representatives in the Iowa Senate and House of Representatives, and the contact information for each.

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House of Representatives

U.S. House of Representatives

Visit this website to find the homepage of your elected official in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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President of the United States

U.S. President

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United States Senate

U.S. Senate

Contact information and details for Iowa's Senators:

Nonprofit Advocacy & Lobbying

Can nonprofits lobby? What is legal? The following sites are useful resources for nonprofits engaging in public policy and advocacy.

CENTER FOR LOBBYING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

CENTER FOR LOBBYING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

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Independent-Sector

INDEPENDENT SECTOR

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ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE

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INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

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"Our work with Iowa legislators, business leaders and community impact experts is an important part of United Way's work, and has led to significant progress statewide."

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Dave Stone
Advocacy Officer 

d.stone@unitedwaydm.org   (515) 246-6538