“Let Me Work”

We continue to talk to our legislators about childcare and HCBS services as an economic engine. The Quad City Times ran Angie’s Letter to the Editor on January 18, encouraging national and local politicians to ‘let parents work.’

Childcare is a workforce issue 

“Let me work.”

It’s a plea echoed by parents across our community. 

Because childcare isn’t just a family issue; it’s a workforce issue.

 But our state and federal policies don’t treat it that way.

As the CEO of Hand in Hand in the Quad Cities, I see how childcare costs and lack of accessibility hurt families, especially those raising children with disabilities. On average, Iowa parents pay 14% of their income to childcare. That’s double what’s considered affordable. Recent developments make the hope for future funding and support even more vulnerable. 

“Let me work.”

For parents of children and teens with disabilities, the barriers are higher. Without childcare, work isn’t possible. Current programs cover only short-term respite, not the care families need to stay employed. 

Working from home isn’t a solution. Kids need more than proximity; they need the human connections and quality programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience.  

The solution requires more than patchwork. We must enact policies and programs that reflect reality.

Because this is about our economy as much as it is about accessibility. 

It’s time to treat childcare as a workforce engine. Let’s push for policies that give every parent the chance to provide for their families.