Johnson County Childcare Coalition Wage Enhancement Program
Childcare providers are everything and essential to our community. Teachers, caregivers, a source of nutritious meals, nurturing environments, and love for our community’s most valuable resource: our kids! The Johnson County Childcare Coalition formed to respond to the pressing needs surrounding childcare in the area. From this coalition, many meaningful programs and opportunities emerged, including the Wage Enhancement Program.
The Johnson County Childcare Coalition Wage Enhancement Program is designed to address the growing challenges of childcare staffing wages without increasing the costs of tuition or passing along additional costs to families. This program, funded by Johnson County and investments from employers and businesses across the region, allows childcare providers to enhance their staff wages by $2.00 per hour. The fund also pays an additional $0.153 per $2.00 to cover the additional payroll taxes incurred by the employer in participating in the program. Program metrics will be measured throughout the program, and because of this, regular data will be collected by representatives while maintaining the strictest confidentiality and respecting the sensitivity of information provided.
4C’s will assist providers with applying for the program with support of a grant by the Iowa Women’s Foundation. Johnson County Social Services will administer the program for providers upon qualification and enrollment and will collect necessary information for payment of wage enhancement. Sample forms will be provided, and assistance is available.
To qualify a program and staff must meet the following requirements:
| Program Eligibility | Staff Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Located in Johnson County | Located in Johnson County Consistently work a minimum of 32 hours per week |
| Licensed and in good standing with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services | Work year-round (may not be temporary or seasonal) |
| Quality rated (QRS or IQ4K) or NAEYC accredited | Serve children ages birth to five |
| Hourly Wage must meet Johnson County Minimum Wage (adjusted annually by CPI, currently $11.56) | Earn less than $23 per hour |
| Maintain a CCA Cap of no less than 20% | Staff funded by statewide voluntary preschool funds are ineligible |
| Located in Johnson County | Consistently work a minimum of 32 hours per week |
| Licensed and in good standing with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services | Work year-round (may not be temporary or seasonal) |
| Quality rated (QRS or IQ4K) or NAEYC accredited | Serve children ages birth to five |
| Childcare Assistance Families must pay no more than the cost of the designated copay | Hired as a classroom teacher, classroom assistant, floater, or center director who maintains classroom teaching responsibilities of 32 hours per week. |
| Priority will be given to programs that do not receive grant funds for operations or subsidy from the County, City, or other Municipal Entity. (Subsidies for CACFP, Shared Visions, Statewide Voluntary Preschool Funds, Stabilization Grants, or PPP are not included.) | Staff agree to provide necessary documentation and application to the program in addition to the center. |
Submit Completed Applications to: socialservices@johnsoncountyiowa.gov OR Johnson County Wage Enhancement Program, 855 S. Dubuque St., Ste. 202B, Iowa City, IA 52240
For Application Assistance Contact: Missie Forbes, 4C’s at missie@iowa4cs.com OR 319-339-7684 (ext. 102)
For Enrollment Questions Contact: socialservices@johnsoncountyiowa.gov OR 319-356-6090
This program made possible by the collaborative efforts of these community organizations and the financial support of Johnson County, the City of Iowa City, private donors, and administration of Johnson County Social Services.
