Child care task force launched; $13M in grants awarded to create more slots BY BUSINESS RECORD STAFF Thursday, March 11, 2021 11:09 AM Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday signed Executive Order 8, launching a new child care task force to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the child care shortage in Iowa. The governor also announced awardees of two child care grant programs totaling more than $13 million, which she said will contribute to the creation of more than 4,000 new child care slots across Iowa. “When we remove the obstacles to high-quality, affordable child care, our families can nurture their kids while maintaining maximum freedom to enter and remain in the workforce,” Reynolds said in a news release. “Today’s announcement will further our efforts to provide high-quality, affordable access to child care in every corner of the state.”