RRMR School District gets share of grant to blend child care, preschool programs

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School District is one of 16 school districts in the state to share in $150,000 in grants to explore ways to combine child care and early learning programs in their communities.

The Blended Early Learning in Educational Foundations (BELIEF) grants will support school districts working with community groups to develop plans for customized early child care and preschool programs for children under the age of 5.

The competitive grants were for up to $10,000 each, and a second round of awards will open up this spring.

“The grants can be used to cover costs associated with training and planning, such as travel expenses, communication and outreach services, transportation costs associated with multiple service locations as well as the cost of substitute teachers, so team members can attend training and planning sessions,” according to a press release issued Friday by the Iowa Department of Education.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said, “Introducing our children to innovative early learning opportunities will better prepare them for the transition to school while providing the support their parents need to enter and remain in the workforce.”

The BELIEF grants are supported by the Iowa Department of Education’s portion of funds received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the press release said.

State education agencies were granted a share of discretionary dollars to address critical needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In determining awards, priority consideration was given to applicant districts that provided clear evidence to plan and partner with one or more private partners on a model tailored to meet the needs of their communities and youngest learners. the press release said.

Ann Lebo, director of the Iowa Department of Education, said, “High-quality child care and preschool programs help our youngest learners develop learning and social-emotional competencies that prepare them for success as they continue in school.”