Collaboration with Early Care and Education (ECE) Partners
The Iowa HHS HEAL Team recognizes that successful statewide efforts rely on strong partnerships among Early Care and Education (ECE) stakeholders. Iowa’s ECE partners, including Child Care Policy, Licensing, Healthy Child Care Iowa, Early Childhood Iowa, the Iowa CCR&R Network, and the Iowa Department of Education CACFP, have made significant progress in advancing obesity prevention through strategic planning, collaboration, and blending of funding by utilizing the CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunities Framework. Iowa is fortunate to have a well-connected ECE network that works together to create healthier environments for young children and families.
See the impact of the FY25 Go NAPSACC project, a collaboration between Iowa HHS HEAL Team and CCR&R, in this infographic.
List items for Early Care and Education (ECE) Partners
Go NAPSACC (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care) is a user-friendly, online tool that helps early care and education programs create healthier environments for young children. It provides self-assessments, goal-setting, resources, and action plans that support best practices in:
Child nutrition
Physical activity
Screen time
Infant and child feeding
Outdoor play and learning
Farm to ECE
Oral health
Healthy habits start early. By using Go NAPSACC, Iowa’s child care providers can:
Support children’s lifelong health and well-being.
Build stronger family engagement around healthy choices.
Access step-by-step guidance and evidence-based resources tailored to their program.
Improve program quality in ways that benefit both staff and children.
Go NAPSACC aligns with Iowa’s Quality Rating and Improvement System Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K). Programs using Go NAPSACC can meet several IQ4K standards related to:
Healthy nutrition and physical activity practices.
Family engagement in health and wellness.
Professional development for staff in child health and well-being.
By using Go NAPSACC, programs not only enhance children’s health but also advance their IQ4K rating, demonstrating their commitment to high-quality care and education.
Free access to trusted, research-based tools.
Flexible, online format—works for any size program.
Helps meet IQ4K requirements and improve your rating.
Ongoing support and training available across Iowa.
Iowa HHS, in collaboration with Early Care and Education (ECE) trainers, offers a variety of trainings that complement Go NAPSACC and support high-quality care. All trainings are available through I-PoWeR:
PALS (Physical Activity Learning Session) – Hands-on training to support best practices in physical activity and movement for young children.
The Connections Between Active Play and Social Emotional Learning in Early Childhood – Explore how physical activity builds important social-emotional skills.
Physical Activity in Small Spaces – Strategies to keep children active even when space is limited.
Active Play with Mixed Age Groups – Ideas for engaging children of different ages in safe and developmentally appropriate active play.
Active Play in Cold Weather – Practical ways to encourage outdoor movement all year long.
Iowa Outdoor Early Learning Environment – Training to enhance outdoor play spaces and support learning through nature and physical activity.
These trainings give providers the knowledge and confidence to create healthier environments, meet IQ4K standards, and strengthen their professional development.
