Iowa’s early childhood system is effectively and efficiently coordinated among health, social service, and education agencies to support healthy and successful families. This work will be informed by actionable intelligence derived from a statewide integrated data system that comprehensively identifies and addresses the needs of Iowa’s young children and their families.
Ensure ethical integration and analysis of relevant, cross-system data to:
Identify priority areas for policy and program change to support young children and their families.
Advance a culture where applied and academic knowledge are effectively brought together to transform theory into practice.
Strengthen broad outcome assessment and improvement.
Promote a “data literate” community of researchers, practitioners and policymakers.
Encourage the use of analytic findings in practice and policy decision-making.
Foster an iterative inquiry process that builds, expands and adapts to knowledge gained.
Act first and foremost in the service of improved public good and services.
Maintain high standards for data security that protect privacy and confidentiality.
Build mechanisms to ensure that all data meet standards for timeliness, accuracy, validity and professional collection methods.
Minimize the costs associated with the actionable intelligence inquiry process, while maximizing the benefits to be derived from the data.
Engage the community of practitioners, policymakers and researchers in the production and sharing of information generated from the inquiry process.
Our nation’s leaders understand the value of data to inform executive decision-making. Reports from the U.S. Commission of Evidence-Based Policymaking have increased attention on the potential of integrated data systems to address gaps in service coordination, population-level surveillance and service responses.
Here in Iowa, state agency channels already collect multitudes of data about child and family needs and wellbeing for local program access and reporting. With I2D2, we securely and scientifically leverage that data to increase use, to improve data literacy among stakeholder community groups, and to generate cross-systems dialog — fostering greater insight to Iowa’s needs.
With such insight, I2D2 addresses systems-level disconnects. Invisible
populations can be seen. Cross-systems collaborations can be
strategically and deliberately formed to fill gaps and address needs.
Program successes can become clearer. With actionable intelligence
derived from I2D2, our state and program leaders can make powerful,
targeted decisions to improve the lives of all Iowans.
I2D2 integrated data system was created with proven best practices by a unyielding, passionate team that believe an integrated data system in Iowa can make a positive, lasting impact.
I2D2 and our partners at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were featured in Georgetown University Digital Gov Hub publication for our work on Child Care Connect (C3): the child care search tool and dashboards that makes real-time child care data accessible...
We’re Hiring! Join the team at Iowa State University’s Iowa’s Integrated Data System for Decision-Making (I2D2) as a Research Scientist IV – a senior-level role focused on shaping early childhood policy and systems. 📊👶 🔍 What You’ll Do: -Lead research on childcare systems, early childhood...
📢 New Job Opportunity at I2D2! Join the I2D2 team as a Quantitative Social Science and Policy Analyst to support research-driven policy analysis in early childhood, family support, and economic well-being. Ideal for a candidate with experience in social science research methods, policy evaluation, and quantitative...
The 2025 I2D2 Winter Newsletter has been released. This newsletter highlights significant updates in early childhood initiatives, including the IA Data Drive’s latest data and the new ECI State Reporting Tool to enhance data collection efficiency. We’re also thrilled to announce that Iowa Child Care...
The IA Data Drive has been updated with 2024 data! Developed in response to the ECI Statewide Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning in 2019, the Iowa Data Drive is designed to inform and guide decision-making across Iowa. Users can explore a wide range of indicators...
We are honored to have Iowa Child Care Connect (C3) featured in a recent article highlighting the work of the I2D2 team and the efforts of bringing this innovative system to life. C3 is the first statewide tool in the nation designed to help families...
Learn about the innovative work happening in Iowa with Opportunities Exchange’s upcoming webinar featuring the Iowa Child Care Connect online tool. Check out this exciting opportunity to explore how Iowa leads the way in child care solutions featuring I2D2 Director Heather Rouse! Registration is available...
Iowa Child Care Connect is Live! Discover Iowa’s Child Care Connect for real-time child care information through this Letter from the Director.
The October 2024 I2D2 Newsletter has been released! Key topics include the launch of the Iowa Child Care Connect platform, participation in the IPDLN Conference, and our new Student Program Assistants. This month also emphasizes Head Start Awareness, showcasing its impact on children facing poverty-related...
The I2D2 Impact Summer 2024 Newsletter is now available! Learn about I2D2’s new team member, new partnership projects, and upcoming events the I2D2 team will present at. Visit our newly revamped I2D2 Newsletter webpage to view past publications and sign-up for our Insights.
A recent study by I2D2 staff and affiliated faculty, “Head Start Children’s Dual Enrollment in State Pre-K: Prevalence and Child Outcomes” is this week’s Hot Topic in the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) newsletter! Published in AERA Open, researchers Ji-Young Choi, Laura C....
The I2D2 Impact Spring Newsletter dropped today. 🌷 Check out the link to our newsletter below to learn what we have been up to, data bytes, our recommending readings, and upcoming events that may interest you. Remember to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date...
Happy New Year from I2D2! We have released of our latest I2D2 Impact Newsletter for our readers. Explore the recent developments from the I2D2 team, featuring three new workforce briefs, updates to our IA Data Drive, and much more. In addition, we are currently seeking...
The IA Data Drive has been updated with 2023 data! In response to the ECI Statewide Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning in 2019, the IA Data Drive was developed to help inform and guide decision-making. In the interactive IA Data Drive, users can view the most commonly...
In partnership with IA AEYC, we are proud to release the final brief from the 2023 Iowa’s Child Care Workforce Study. Retention in the early care and education field was a major portion of our findings in the report. Turnover is a very costly issue...
We are hiring! I2D2 is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work on projects funded by the US Departments of Health and Human Services and Education and state of Iowa Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Management, and Workforce...
The 2023 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study that Iowa AEYC recently released in conjunction with I2D2 is a comprehensive study that brings together the voices of over 4,500 child care providers in Iowa. One of the major findings of the study was that many providers...
A major part of the recently-released 2023 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study focused on the state of compensation for early care and education providers in Iowa. The study found that compensation was the primary concern for sustaining our child care workforce; low wages and lack...
Join the ECI State Board meeting Friday, November 3rd from 9am to 12pm (noon) CST to learn how Early Childhood Iowa is developing partnerships between communities and state government to improve the well-being of children ages 0-5 and their families. On the agenda, includes I2D2...
The 2023 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study, published by Iowa AEYC and I2D2, has identified several challenges the early care and education workforce faces. To build a more sustainable workforce, a statewide advisory committee developed five key recommendations informed by recent statewide research. These recommendations...
The 2023 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study is complete. View the 2023 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study Report here.
I2D2 released a new brief “Iowa Head Start: Successfully Serving the Comprehensive Needs of Low-Income Children”. The federally-funded program promotes school readiness and offers comprehensive services for low-income children under 5. The program has historically served families with diverse needs related to poverty. Findings...
The recently released update to Early Childhood Iowa’s “We are ECI” Strategic Plan 2023-2026 is a showcase of the committed partnerships across our statewide systems in improving services and outcomes for Iowa’s youngest children. We are proud to be partners in this work, as ECI has provided a...
The team at I2D2 is honored to be highlighted as a key “Innovative Solution” by Iowa State University in 2022. As part of the university’s strategic plan and the goal “to be the trusted partner for proactive and innovative solutions”, I2D2 was featured as the...
I2D2 recently finalized technical reports from the original Early Childhood Iowa Longitudinal Study integration which now include an addendum with recent work including integrated data from Head Start programs across the state. This addendum focuses on child outcomes for children participating both Head Start programs...
Over the last 20 years, 41 birthing units have closed across the state of Iowa. These birthing unit closures are occurring primarily in rural communities. The purpose of this analysis was to examine how closures may impact groups of families who may be more susceptible...
I2D2 releases new ECI Family Survey report In the wake of our introduction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the shut-down in 2020, and the creation of the Governor’s Childcare Task Force in 2021, it is clear that Iowa families are still facing challenges – particularly those...
I2D2 is thrilled to release the IA Data Drive for use in local and state strategic planning efforts. Stakeholder feedback across our early childhood system in 2020 consistently highlighted the need for aggregate data to support local and statewide strategic planning (see Mapping Vulnerability in Iowa’s...
I2D2 is hiring! The I2D2 Program Assistant will provide valuable support in accomplishing team goals and meeting deadlines specifically related to a large integrated data system build for the state of Iowa. This position will directly support the Director and Assistant Directors of I2D2, coordinate...
I2D2 was recently featured in a release by the Iowa State University News Service. The article discusses the partnerships I2D2 has facilitated, the technology used to ensure privacy, and the impact on programs for young children and families in Iowa. See the full article HERE
Jeff Jackson, I2D2’s Strategic Projects Specialist, was recently inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success in recognition of his academic and professional accomplishments as well as his completion of the NSLS leadership program. Congratulations, Jeff!
I2D2 was recently featured in a case study sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families as part of a national effort to advance the use of administrative data for program evaluation and cross-systems improvement. The report includes lessons learned and recommendations from I2D2 development,...
I2D2 Directors Heather Rouse and Cassandra Dorius presented at Iowa State University’s Research Day 2022 held by the Office of the Vice President for Research. View their lightening presentation on Integrating People and Data to Advance Collaborative Decision-Making
I2D2 presented at the annual “What’s Happening in Early Childhood in Iowa?” meeting to legislators, ECI State Board members, ECI Area Board members, early childhood programs and service providers. This presentation focused on how I2D2 is providing data which can be used to guide program...
I2D2 was featured in the winter 2022 issue of Kansas Child magazine for Dr. Rouse’s work with AISP partners developing a framework to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children. This framework considers the impact of imbedded stressors caused by housing, health,...
Co-Director Cassandra Dorius and Assistant Director of Data and Analytics Todd Abraham were recently awarded the Interdisciplinary Team Research Award by Iowa State University. The award recognizes an interdisciplinary team of two or more faculty researchers with outstanding achievements who have made a significant contribution...
I2D2 has released a new data brief on the impact of birth risks on home visiting enrollment and program outcomes. Find the brief here.
I2D2 has released a new data brief on Themes in Iowa’s Child Care Conversation. This brief details challenges faced by early childhood care facilities regarding staffing and facilities. See the full brief here.
I2D2 Director Rouse and national colleagues from across the AISP network recently published a paper showcasing how IDS can be a critical resource for studying the impacts of COVID-19 on young children. This paper provides a developmental model and use cases for IDS to study...
In collaboration with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I2D2 released a program evaluation of the Phones 4 Families program. Families who are already more vulnerable due to low-income or family risk status, such as those served by Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting...
In collaboration with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I2D2 released a report on birth risks and timing of enrollment in home visiting programs. This report utilized integrated data from birth records and home visiting records to analyze how birth risks impact timing and duration...
I2D2 team members presented at the Midwest Big Data School on centering racial equity in integrated data. Visit the new I2D2 YouTube channel to view the presentation. I2D2 Director Heather Rouse and Assistant Director of Data and Analytics Todd Abraham discussed the governance and infrastructure...
Jeff Jackson, Assistant Director of Outreach and Strategic Planning for I2D2, has been appointed to the Professional and Scientific Council (P&S) for Iowa State University serving the 2021-2022 term. He will be a member of the Professional Development Committee and a Representative of the College...
I2D2 work completed in 2020 is being used to translate data into action by the Child Care Taskforce recently launched by the Governor. This Task Force will be making recommendations to address the child care shortage for Iowa’s youngest children and barriers for the workforce....
I2D2 Director Heather Rouse has officially been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure at Iowa State University. Congratulations, Heather, on this well-deserved accomplishment!
Research from the I2D2 team was recently featured at the 2021 Annual Conference for the Society of Research on Development. Graduate students led two posters co-authored with the I2D2 team and state partners that were designated as Strategic Posters exemplifying policy research related to children’s development. https://www.srcd.org/event/srcd-2021-biennial-meeting View the posters here, available until...
Early Childhood Iowa held its Equity Advisory Committee meeting on March 23, 2021, where the I2D2 team led a discussion about how we attend to equity in data collection, integration, analysis, and dissemination. This work uses concepts from the Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP)...
https://earlychildhood.iowa.gov/document/whats-happening-early-childhood-iowa