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Resources in Iowa

88 listings. Please call ahead — hours and services change.

Adoption

  • Bethany Christian Services — Iowa

    Christian agency offering adoption, foster care, pregnancy counseling and family support, with offices in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Orange City.

  • Lutheran Services in Iowa — Foster Care & Adoption

    Helps families become licensed foster or adoptive parents in western Iowa, with information sessions, paperwork help, home studies and ongoing support.

  • AdoptUSKids — Iowa

    Statewide

    How to foster or adopt in Iowa, with state contacts, from the national AdoptUSKids project.

  • AdoptUSKids — Iowa Post-Adoption Support

    Statewide

    Iowa's post-adoption services, support groups and contacts, gathered by the national AdoptUSKids project.

  • Iowa Foster & Adoption (Four Oaks Family Connections)

    Statewide

    The state's foster care and adoption recruitment and support program for all of Iowa: information sessions, licensing help and support.

  • Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA)

    Statewide

    Support, training and resource specialists for foster, adoptive and kinship families statewide.

  • Iowa HHS — Foster Care & Adoption

    Statewide

    The state's foster care and adoption program, with information about adopting from Iowa foster care and adoption assistance.

  • Meet Iowa's Waiting Kids (Iowa Foster & Adoption)

    Statewide

    Photos and stories of Iowa children in foster care who are waiting for adoptive families.

Free / Subsidized Childcare

Churches / Baby Closets

Clothing / Supplies

Domestic Violence

  • Violence Free Iowa (formerly Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

    Statewide

    The statewide 24/7 hotline for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes (Iowa Victim Service Call Center). Text IOWAHELP to 20121.

  • love is respect (National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline)

    Nationwide

    Free, confidential 24/7 help for teens and young adults in unhealthy or abusive relationships. Text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat online.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline

    Nationwide

    Confidential support 24/7 for anyone experiencing abuse.

  • StrongHearts Native Helpline

    Nationwide

    Free, confidential 24/7 support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives affected by domestic and sexual violence, by phone, text or chat.

  • The Deaf Hotline

    Nationwide

    24/7 domestic-violence support for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard-of-hearing survivors, by videophone, chat or email (deafhelp@thehotline.org).

Employment

Potential Financial Assistance

  • Catholic Charities (Diocese of Des Moines)

    Emergency family shelter, domestic-violence services and help for families in need in central and southwest Iowa.

  • The Salvation Army — Des Moines Family Services

    Help with rent, utilities, clothing, formula and diapers. Appointments by phone from 8:30 a.m. on Mondays.

  • Catholic Charities USA (Find a Local Agency)

    Nationwide

    Find the Catholic Charities agency serving your area for emergency, family and housing help.

  • Modest Needs

    Nationwide

    Small one-time grants for working individuals and families facing an emergency expense. Apply online.

  • Society of St. Vincent de Paul

    Nationwide

    Parish volunteers who help neighbors in need. The national office does not give direct help: ask your nearest Catholic parish for its St. Vincent de Paul conference.

  • The Salvation Army

    Nationwide

    Emergency rent, utility and other assistance through local Salvation Army offices nationwide.

Food Programs

Health Assistance

Housing Assistance & Shelters

  • Families Forward

    Emergency shelter for homeless mothers and children (New Directions Shelter), long-term housing, a food pantry and child development center.

  • The Salvation Army — Des Moines Family Services

    Help with rent, utilities, clothing, formula and diapers. Appointments by phone from 8:30 a.m. on Mondays.

  • Family Promise

    Nationwide

    Prevention, shelter and housing help for families facing homelessness, through nearly 200 local affiliates. Find yours on the website.

Infant & Baby Equipment

  • Foster Squad eQuip Hub

    Free online hub connecting central Iowa foster and kinship families with donated baby supplies, furniture and other essentials.

Mental Health & Postpartum Assistance

Parenting Classes

Pregnancy Centers

Special Needs Assistance

Support for Fathers

Transportation

  • Families Forward

    Emergency shelter for homeless mothers and children (New Directions Shelter), long-term housing, a food pantry and child development center.

  • Iowa Medicaid rides to medical appointments (NEMT)

    Statewide

    Free rides to covered appointments for Medicaid members with no other way to get there. Book two days ahead; urgent rides 24/7.

  • Family Promise

    Nationwide

    Local Family Promise affiliates help families facing homelessness, including gas cards, transit passes and car-related help where available.

  • Medicaid rides to medical appointments (NEMT)

    Nationwide

    Medicaid covers free rides to covered appointments for members with no other way to get there. Call your Medicaid health plan, ideally two days ahead.