- Audiences
- Keywords
- Types
- Departments
- Carver College of Medicine
- Center for Advancement
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Community Education Programs
- Department of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
- Division of Student Life
- Obermann Center
- Office of the Vice President for Research
- Public Policy Center
- University Human Resources
- Women's Resource and Action Center
A Crisis of Care: Iowa's Childcare Predicament
Quality childcare is an elemental need. It allows parents to work at paid jobs, which in turn helps to support the economic well-being of our communities. Equally as crucial, it provides early childhood development for the next generation.
Anyone who has tried to find quality childcare, however, knows that it is not easy to find—or very affordable. In the past five years, Iowa has lost more than a third of its childcare providers, and the cost of child care amounts to 15.3% of the average Iowa family's household income.
In this conversation, we pair workforce development lobbyist Jennifer Banta with feminist philosopher Asha Bhandary. Banta is part of a cadre working across sectors to address Iowa’s childcare crisis, while Bhandary’s current research addresses the injustices baked into caregiving arrangements—for both the givers and receivers of care.
Jennifer Banta, Vice President for Advocacy and Community Development, Iowa City Area Business Partnership
Asha Bhandary, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy
This virtual conversation is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact in advance at