The Iowa Department of Education announced five Iowa school districts have been selected to pilot a new program leveraging school-community partnerships to expand access to child care while supporting high school students earning a national child development credential. To support the pilot, the school districts were awarded a total of over $140,000 in the first round of competitive grants through the Credentials to Child Care Careers grant program. Grants to the first cohort will be distributed in July for district implementation during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. According to a news release, districts can use their grant awards to cover allowable costs, such as student exam fees, textbooks, CDA course materials, student stipends, licensed child care partner stipends and other approved expenses that help remove barriers to participation.