Just a few years ago, Mount Vernon and Lisbon were considered a child care desert, with dozens of children on a waiting list for care and few available openings for families.

Today, that designation no longer fits, thanks in large part to the work of the Mount Vernon–Lisbon Child Care Solutions Group.

The volunteer organization was recognized as Committee of the Year during this year’s Heritage Days awards for its efforts to expand child care opportunities, support providers, and connect families with quality care.

“The most visible feedback this year has been that we’re pretty much no longer a child care desert,” said Katrina Sogaard Anderson, secretary of the Child Care Solutions Group.

The committee was formed by the League of Women Voters in 2021 after the community’s child care shortage reached a critical point. In November 2022, the group hosted a community summit with the Iowa Women’s Foundation that brought together about 40 local leaders to begin developing solutions. Since then, the organization has grown into a formal volunteer committee focused on improving child care access.

“We seek to help support an environment that is supportive and accessible for families to connect with child care providers,” Anderson said. “We’re a group of dedicated individuals, educators, community leaders, and people who are passionate about helping families.”

Among the committee’s biggest accomplishments has been helping recruit the Academy of Early Learning to Lisbon.

After two previous child care businesses were unable to remain in the Budget Blinds building because of operating costs, the committee worked with the building’s owners to create a more affordable lease for an educational business. The group then connected with the Academy of Early Learning, which was seeking a new home after operating in Coralville.

“We worked together and brought those two together,” Anderson said. “We even supported early efforts to make ends meet as she was filling her slots. She brought a significant number of spaces to our community.”

According to the committee, the organization also has surveyed more than 400 residents and child care providers, raised $125,000 for wage enhancement bonuses and provider support, and secured an $11,000 grant from the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to help families facing gaps in state child care assistance.

While creating additional child care openings has been a major focus, Anderson said supporting providers remains equally important.

The committee recognizes child care workers through appreciation events and gifts, including Gary’s Foods gift cards, while working to increase awareness of the value of the profession.

“We want to continue our efforts at recognizing child care providers on special days and giving gifts to child care workers to make them feel supported and appreciated,” Anderson said.

The group is also developing a network of qualified substitute providers who could step in when an in home child care provider needs time away for appointments or emergencies.

“We’re trying to work on a substitute list so that if a child care provider who works out of their home needs to take their child to a doctor’s appointment or needs to go do something, there’s a certified, qualified list of people that can stand in within the community,” Anderson said. “Kind of like a little connective network for them.”

As the committee looks ahead, Anderson said recruiting new volunteers is one of its biggest priorities.

“We could definitely use new members, people who are passionate about child care and who are energized to help support the cause and support child care workers,” she said.

Receiving the award, she added, was extra meaningful.

“It was really special to be honored and to celebrate the success of the Academy of Early Learning,” Anderson said. “Having those efforts recognized felt fortifying and like people value the work that we’re doing.”