Shared Visions Parent Support Program

Shared Visions Parent Support Program provides educational support services to parents of at-risk children ages birth through five years, with priority to applicants who serve parents of at-risk children from birth to age three.

FY26 Grant Application

The Shared Visions Parent Support Program grants provide funds for educational support services to parents of children ages birth to five and who are determined to meet certain at-risk criteria as defined in Iowa Administrative Code 281-64. Priority for funding will be given to applicants who serve parents of children ages birth to three years and meeting at-risk criteria. Iowa Code 279.51 governs these grants.

The FY26 Shared Visions Parent Support application will be publicly available in January 2025 and must be submitted by March 26, 2025 by 4:30 PM. Applications must be submitted to the Iowa Department of Education through the online grant application system, IowaGrants.gov. Competitive grants will be awarded with a renewal option for up to five years provided grantees meet program requirements.

Timeline

*Grant Awards are contingent upon the annual state appropriation.

Questions

If you have questions, submit them to Marianne Rodrigues at marianne.rodrigues@iowa.gov by Feb. 21, 2025. A FAQ document will be compiled and posted in this location.

Legal Requirements & Reports

Iowa Code 279.51 and the rules in Iowa Administrative Code 281-64 govern the Parent Support Programs. In addition, Shared Visions Parent Support Programs are required to report to the department annually. A summary of state data is included in the Child Development Coordinating Council Annual Report to the Governor.

FY23 Child Development Coordinating Council Annual Report - Describes the future recommendations of the Council and also offers the status of the parent support and preschool programs serving children and families at risk.

Advisory Group

As required by Iowa Code 256A, the Child Development Coordinating Council (CDCC) was established to advise the Department of Education regarding the administration and implementation of two state-funded at-risk programs for children ages birth to five: the Shared Visions Parent Support Program and the Shared Visions Preschool Program. Funding appropriated per Iowa Code 279.51 must be used by the CDCC to award grants for programs that provide services to families and children meeting identified risk factors. The CDCC conducts meetings at a minimum of four times annually. Council meetings are open to the public. Visit the CDCC web page for a membership list, meeting dates, agendas, and minutes.

FY21-25 Grant Awards

FY25 Shared Visions Parent Support Program Grant Awards - This is a list of awarded applicants and the corresponding grant awards for FY25 Shared Visions Parent Support Programs.

Grants are awarded with a renewal option for up to five years provided grantees meet program requirements. All funding is contingent upon annual appropriations. The remaining renewal years are the following:

• Year 5 - FY25: July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025

Guidance Documents

• Child Development Coordinating Council Policy Regarding Parent Support Programs
• FY21-FY25 Shared Visions Parent Support Summary of Data Collection for Year-End Reporting
• FY21 Shared Visions Parent Support Orientation Webinar - Recorded 7/31/20. This webinar provides an overview of the Shared Visions Parent Support Program, including program requirements and assurances, reporting requirements, timelines and information associated with funding and fiscal accountability, and where to locate guidance documents and grant-related information. The intended audience for this webinar is FY21 Shared Visions Parent Support Grantees.
• FY21 Shared Visions Parent Support Webinar - Part 1 - Legislation - Recorded 2/11/20. This webinar reviews legislation which governs the Shared Visions Parent Support Program.
• FY21 Shared Visions Parent Support Webinar - Part 2 - Program Requirements - Recorded 2/11/20. This webinar provides an overview of program considerations and requirements for the FY21 Shared Visions Parent Support application.
• IowaGrants Login Instructions
• Shared Visions Preschool and Parent Support Income Eligibility Guidelines 2024
• Shared Visions Parent Support Map - Grantees by Contact Person
• Shared Visions Programs List - Grantees by Contact Person
• Shared Visions Parent Support Budget Guidance

AEA Contacts 2024-25

Links

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - An organization of 67,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The AAP Parenting website offers resources for children from birth to grade school and more.

Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) - Uses local, informed decision making to improve the quality of life for every Iowa child and their families. ECI works through state leadership boards, state advisory, and local structures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of early care, education, health, and human services provided to families with children ages birth to five.

Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (Iowa AEYC) - Promotes high-quality learning for all children birth through age 8 by connecting practice, policy, and research. Iowa AEYC advances a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supports all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services' website has details regarding Iowa's Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visitation (MIECHV) grant, as well as a link to the state-funded HOPES Programs website and other information.

Iowa Family Support Network - Offers information and referral for Early ACCESS, Iowa's system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with or at risk for developmental delays. Additionally, the Network offers information on family support services and group-based parenting programs. More information is available by phone at 1-888-IAKIDS1 or at iafamilysupportnetwork@everystep.org.

Iowa Family Support Credential - An Iowa created a credentialing process/program. Accreditation is an important step in proving a commitment to high quality and best practice within family support programs. Participating programs can receive support from the Iowa Family Support Technical Assistance Network throughout the credentialing process.

Iowa Family Support Standards - Revised August 2022

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - Leads and consolidates the efforts of individuals and groups working to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children from birth to age eight.

ZERO TO THREE - Promotes the healthy development of our nation's infants and toddlers by supporting and strengthening families, communities, and those who work on their behalf.