“The Iowa Department of Education remains committed to supporting students with healthy meals and food options. The Iowa Department of Education and Health and Human Services will instead focus on their already existing food programs. “This cruel and short-sighted decision will have real impacts on children and families in my district and communities all across Iowa. Yet, Senate Democrats said it is a "short-sighted decision." It’s extremely disappointing that the Reynolds administration is planning to reject federal money that could put food on the table for hungry Iowa kids,” Sen. Another benefit card addressed to children is not the way to take on this issue,” said HHS Director Kelly Garcia. Iowa’s kids need consistent access to nutritionally dense food, and their families need to feel supported to make healthy choices around food and nutrition. “No child should go hungry, least of all in Iowa, but the Summer EBT Program fails to address the barriers that exist to healthy and nutritional foods. However, a big reason Iowa is choosing to opt out of the money is because officials said it doesn't promote healthy options. “Governor Reynolds knows this is a shameful decision that will hurt struggling Iowa families – that’s why she announced it with a cowardly press release full of excuses on the Friday before Christmas.” Sarah Trone Garriott, (D-West Des Moines), said. It is shocking that in a time of great need our Governor would refuse millions of federal dollars that would go directly to feed hundreds of thousands of Iowa Children,” Sen. “We are in a food insecurity crisis, with record numbers of Iowans seeking help from food pantries. If the Biden Administration and Congress want to make a real commitment to family well-being, they should invest in already existing programs and infrastructure at the state level and give us the flexibility to tailor them to our state’s needs.ĭemocrats disagreed and said they're disappointed in the decision. “HHS and the Department of Education have well-established programs in place that leverage partnerships with community-based providers and schools who understand the needs of the families they serve. An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic” stated Governor Reynolds. However, both departments said they will support Iowa children who are eligible for food assistance by "enhancing and expanding already existing childhood nutrition programs." Federal COVID-era cash benefit programs are not sustainable and don’t provide long-term solutions for the issues impacting children and families. Participating states are required to cover half of the administrative costs, which would cost an estimated $2.2 million in Iowa." "With few restrictions on food purchases, the Summer EBT program does not have a strong nutrition focus. "The program provides families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals $40 per child per month during the summer to purchase food," the departments said in a press release. Department of Agriculture saying Iowa will not take part in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Iowa Department of Education announced Friday evening that they have notified the U.S.
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