Proposals for funding are now being accepted for the period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009. Programs funded by Children First must target children prenatal through five years old in Lee and/or Van Buren counties and must relate to the following state result areas: Healthy Children, Children Ready to Succeed in School, Secure and Nurturing Families, Secure and Nurturing Child Care, Safe and Supportive Communities. Proposals must be postmarked by Friday, April 4th.

The Early Childhood Iowa web site serves as a site to promote Iowa's system of systems in the area of early care, health, and education.

In May, 2004, the Child and Family Policy Center established a new advocacy division for its state work, Every Child Counts. The goal of Every Child Counts is to build a grassroots network of child advocates who can inform and influence Iowa policies. Every Child Counts will focus upon three policy arenas for the 2005 legislative session:

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a program that promotes early literacy by bringing new books and advice about the importance of reading aloud into the pediatric exam room.