Made Alive

Resources / By state / Iowa

Pregnancy & family help in Iowa

56 organizations in Iowa offering help with pregnancy, housing, food, childcare, adoption and more. We checked each one before listing it, but hours and services change, so please call ahead.

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.

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.

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.

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

  • Children & Families of Iowa

    Family support, child care, behavioral health and domestic-violence services, with offices across Iowa.

  • EveryStep

    Maternal and child health home visits for expecting and new moms, including postpartum check-ins and infant screenings.

  • Postpartum Support International — Iowa Chapter

    Statewide

    Information and support for depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after birth. PSI HelpLine: call or text (800) 944-4773.

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.

Looking for more? Nationwide hotlines and programs that also serve Iowa are in the full directory search. Know an organization that belongs here? Tell us about it.