Standing Up for Iowa’s Kids, Families and Early Educators

As a mom, preschool director and volunteer leader with Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), Kelly Donnelly knows early learning and nutrition are vital to a child’s development.  

So when a snowstorm forced her to miss the Iowa Child Care Coalition Day on the Hill, Kelly organized her own trip to the state capitol – championing children’s futures alongside her daughter, Maeve.  

Their dedication – together with dozens of other advocates – helped SCAN achieve major wins during the 2025 legislative session. Chief among them was securing the continuation of Iowa’s Child Care Assistance pilot program, which enables child care professionals access to more affordable child care for their own children – a game-changer for recruiting and retaining skilled early educators.  

We also pushed for the creation of a statewide Child Care Solutions Fund, a public-private partnership designed to boost wages and improve infrastructure.  

Just as importantly, we put a stop to harmful legislation – like a bill that would’ve allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to supervise kids in child care settings. It was a challenging but rewarding session, powered by passionate Iowa advocates who showed up again and again. This year, they:  

• Met with 26 lawmakers 

• Delivered testimony 30 times  

• Sent 395 emails to policymakers  

• Delivered 90 handmade valentines during our annual Have a Heart campaign  

• Attended two lobby days with key coalition partners  

SCAN made a splash in the media, too, earning 13 hits and publishing 4 letters to the editor. Volunteer leader Tiffany Welch was featured in the Des Moines Register, while State Manager Paige Chickering appeared on Iowa News Now. Our work was also covered by The Gazette, Iowa Capital Dispatch, KHQA, KCIJ and CNHI.  

Advocates like Kelly and Maeve remind us what’s possible when we speak up together – and inspire us to keep fighting for kids! 

Want to join the movement? Learn more about becoming a SCAN volunteer.