DES MOINES — Members of the Appropriations Committee in the Iowa Legislature requested more time to consider and research information regarding child care in Iowa as presented by an ISU professor.

Susan Hegland, associate professor of human development and family studies, addressed the committee Wednesday, and she said Iowa’s child care ranks poorly compared to other Midwest states.

Hegland and her colleagues, Carla Peterson, associate professor of human development and family studies, and Lesia Oesterreich, extension program specialist in human development and family studies, surveyed and observed child care facilities and home child care providers in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Hegland said their research proved Iowa has the second highest level of reported child abuse per capita that occurs at child care or in-home care facilities. She also said Iowa has more children under the age of 6 with both parents working than any other state.

Hegland said the decline in quality child care in Iowa is caused by a lack of training and regulation in Iowa’s child care.

Rep. Joe Hutter, R-Bettendorf, questioned whose role it was to enforce child care quality. Hegland said that responsibility currently belongs to the Iowa Department of Human Services.

“Do you think that maybe law enforcement agencies should be required to investigate the facilities?” Hutter asked.

Hegland said that would be determined by resources and training.

Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, said she believes child care is an important issue for legislators to consider.

“The data supports that 0 to 5 [years of age] is such a crucial time for brain development, yet we’re spending the least in infant child care,” she said.

Heddens said she wants to know her children are safe when she leaves them with a child care provider.

“What measures do we need to take to make sure our children are safe and that our providers are safe in taking care of our kids?” she said.

Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des. Moines, said the committee needs more time to review and consider the information provided by Hegland.

“It sounds like we have another crisis,” he said. “I would ask that the committee put this higher on our priority list and talk about it.”

Oesterreich said she and her co-authors want people to understand that Iowa’s children are suffering in school due to a lack of quality child care.

“Most Iowans believe Iowa is a great place to live and raise children,” she said. “The perception is a little skewed right now, and people don’t realize what’s happened.”

Oesterreich said they want to work with the Legislature to improve the quality of child care in Iowa.

“Our role is to provide [legislators] the data, and their role is to work with the child care community and professionals in the field to come up with solutions,” she said.