Hunter
03/20/23
A new wage enhancement program created by Johnson County, the city of Iowa City and local businesses will increase wages for child care workers.
The Gazette reports that the program was funded by federal pandemic relief dollars and contributions from businesses, at no cost to day care centers or families. Eligible workers would get a $2 per hour wage as early as next month.
Jennifer Banta, president of the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties, says the overall goal of the program is to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care for the area.
The newspaper says the average child care worker in Johnson County is paid $11.16 per hour, which translates into just over $23,000 annually. That’s the lowest pay for any tracked profession. The $2 wage increase will amount to about a 17 percent raise, close to $4,000 a year.
The program has enough funding for up to 150 employees. Johnson County Social Services are reviewing initial applications this month.