An early education and child care professional, freshman legislator Tracy Ehlert brings a unique — and essential — perspective to the state capitol. On this week’s podcast hear what Ehlert, a Cedar Rapids local, has to say about her experience as a first-time legislator, while also being a wife, mom and educator.

About the series: Iowa Leaders is a new podcast series featuring honest conversations with state lawmakers, newbies and veterans alike, from both sides of the aisle and representing different regions of Iowa. We’ll occasionally return to the series throughout the remainder of 2019.

A new poll shows that 80 percent of Iowa voters believe “improving the health, education, and well-being of children” is a high priority for the next president to address.

Join our conversation with Brian Ahlberg, Jill Applegate and Renee Coe (Every Child Matters) and Laura Linnenbrink (Iowa AEYC) to learn about the Caucus for Kids Campaign — and why we're challenging all major-party presidential candidates to make kids a top priority.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we revisit the importance of children's mental health (see Episode 4 for the first installment). Anne Discher talks with Anne Starr (Orchard Place) and Chaney Yeast (Blank Children's Hospital) to get a big-picture perspective on mental health — what is it, why does it matter and how is Iowa doing in getting kids the help they need?

Dr. Amy Shriver is a faithful child advocate at the Iowa State Capitol, helping legislators understand the importance of child health and the policies that support it. This week Anne Discher catches up with Dr. Shriver, getting her take on effective advocacy, child health, immunizations and more.

Buckle in for a whirlwind recap of the 2019 legislative session in Iowa. Join Center staff Mary Nelle Trefz, Angelica Cardenas and Sheila Hansen, along with host Anne Discher, as they sort out the good, the bad and the ugly from session. Medicaid, children's mental health, education, child care, taxes—it's all included in this week's episode.

Early Thursday morning, Iowa lawmakers approved a bill that would limit the ability of city and county governments to fund public services. Anne Discher talks with Iowa Policy Project research director Peter Fisher about the ways the bill would enshrine minority rule, punish public-sector employees, penalize economic growth and hamstring cities recovering from natural disaster.

What's a child care desert? Why does child care cost so much? Is it true child care costs more than in-state college tuition?

Good questions. Join the Center's Sheila Hansen and Dave Stone with the United Way of Central Iowa as they unpack the world of child care in Iowa—and why the state's situation is already at a crisis.

10. Early Childhood Iowa (ft. Barb Bremner) by Common Good Iowa

A conversation about excited changes to Iowa's foster care system with Janee Harvey, Kayla Eckerman and Angelica Cardenas.

Iowa NYTD: http://bit.ly/IowaNYTD

Contact Taylor Berry: [email protected]

Iowa Youth Resources: http://bit.ly/IAYouthResources