Resources
Helpful Resources for Foster Parents
There are a lot of great resources available in Iowa and nationally for foster families. We want to be your one-stop location to find services that will help you during your foster care journey. If you know of a service we should have listed for foster parents, please contact us through our contact form. Simply click on any image below and you will be directed to that organizations information.
CLOTHING CLOSETS
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Families Helping Families of Iowa Clothing Closet -
Eastern Iowa
The Families Helping Families of Iowa Clothing Closet is a free resource for foster families to find clothing, shoes and supplies for infants, children and teens in foster care, relative placement or other approved placement and those adopted from foster care. You'll get to choose from current styles for any season!
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The Ankeny Klothing Exchange (T.A.K.E.) - Central Iowa
TAKE is a non-profit organization that operates a store offering free, gently used clothing, shoes, linens, household goods and more to people in need.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church - Central Iowa
​The Zion Clothes Closet is a ministry located in the lower level of Zion Lutheran Church. Used clothing, for children and adults, as well as bedding and some housewares are available free of charge. The Clothes Closet serves many people of all ages and nationalities.
Kaden's Kloset -
Multiple Iowa Locations
Kadens Kloset is a 100% volunteer and donation run not-for-profit organization that exists to provide services and necessities for foster and adoptive children and families and children in need within our communities and beyond
Roots of Home Resource Center - Montezuma
We want to meet immediate needs of children, youth and families experiencing family disruption and brokenness by embracing them right where they are
The Side Room Foster Closet - Mason City
The Side Room aims to be more than just a closet! Yes, we want to meet tangible needs for families but we also want to support families as they walk through foster care and adoption.
Open Arms
Clothing & Resource Room - Jasper County
Our Resource Center includes a dedicated room stocked with essential items such as clothes, shoes, toys, and baby items. This room serves foster and kinship families, as well as birth families during reunification
Fostering Crossroads -
Scott County
Mobile Clothing Closet in Scott County
Clothing Center at Minnie's Maison - Quad Cities
Providing free clothes for people in need
Soteria Church FAM Clothing Closet - Des Moines
This is a closet filled with essential items that are available for any family that is currently fostering or has adopted.
Kings & Queens Local - NW Iowa / Okoboji
Kadens Kloset: Okoboji (resource closet) serves as an important resource for these children 0-18 years of age in transition and need.
SUPPORT GROUPS / TRAINING
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Four Oaks Foster and Adoptive Family Connections
Training is available in each of the 5 Iowa service areas. Please locate your service area to find the available trainings in your area
Cedar Valley Angels -
Love Box
Our Love Box® program builds community and provides radical support for foster families through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.
Fostering Crossroads -
Scott County
In person support group for foster mothers in Scott County
Foster Squad
Check out our schedule of free classes and support groups on our events page. Classes are approved for foster care licensing credit.
Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association
Foster, adoptive and kinship parents are welcome to attend any of our trainings. All of our trainings are approved for foster parent credit. There is no cost to attend our trainings. Please note: Children are NOT allowed at IFAPA trainings and child care is not provided.
Season's Center for Behavioral Health Family Support Center -
NW Iowa
We offer services for foster, adoptive and kinship families that specifically address the challenges and needs of your family while on this journey together.
Setting Anchors - NW Iowa
We offer monthly support group meetings for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families to attend.
Cedar Valley Angels -
Dare to Dream
Our Dare to Dream™ program matches mentors with youth to navigate life's challenges together, providing advice, encouragement, and a supportive community.
Kings & Queens Local - NW Iowa / Okoboji
If you are a foster, adoptive, or kinship family, our support group provides parent development as well as a connection with people with shared experiences.
ACTIVITIES / ACADEMICS
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Families Helping Families of Iowa - Activity Scholarships
FHF launched the Spread Your Wings Activity Scholarship Program (SYW) in 2009 to help provide scholarship funding for children in foster care by providing support to participate in extracurricular activities.
IFAPA - Friends of Children in Foster Care Program
The Friends of Children in Foster Care Program helps children in foster care (Age 13 and younger) to receive funds in order to participate in extra-curricular activities, such as obtaining music instruments, sports registration or equipment, gymnastics or dance lessons, swimming lessons or summer camp
Comfort Cases - Scott Isaacson Scholarship
In 2015, Comfort Cases began awarding scholarships to support youth in foster care attending college or trade school.
Families Helping Families of Iowa - Tutoring Scholarships
FHF launched the Soaring Towards Success Tutoring Scholarships (STS) to help provide scholarship funding for children in foster car by providing tutoring and academic support.
Colton's Green Socks Foundation
Any child grades K through 12 in Iowa who can use a little helping hand to take part in a learning opportunity in a dance, music, theater, or sports activity can submit a request to be considered for a Green Socks Foundation Scholarship.
College Educated - Foster Youth College Resources
Extensive list of resources for foster youth in hopes that understanding and knowledge will help more foster youth achieve their dream of a higher education
Share My Smile - SW Iowa
Family Strengthening Activites
Share My Smile provides programming and services for foster and adoptive families to provide them with the resources they need to fill their homes with love.
Can Play
Can Play’s Opportunity programs strive to serve our communities by providing no-cost athletic and youth development opportunities for our participants.
AMP Iowa -
Foster Funds
Fo$ter Fund$ are for youth age 14 years and older in: family foster care, relative family care, group foster care, supervised apartment group care, shelter care and are living in Iowa. Each eligible youth will be allowed up to $300 to be used for the extras that are not covered by state funding
Fostering Crossroads -
Scott County
Activity Scholarships
OTHER - TANGIBLE ITEMS
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Families Helping Families of Iowa -HAIRCUTS
Through grants with Families Helping Families of Iowa, we’re able to provide foster children with two complimentary haircuts a year — once at the Back to School Rally and once at another point in the school year — thanks to the time and goodwill from the professional salons and stylists who continue to support the mission of Families Helping Families of Iowa
Families Helping Families of Iowa -SENIOR PHOTOS
Eligible students receive a one-hour session although foster families are welcome to purchase more time if desired. Each student is eligible for only one session each. Foster parents and/or guardians receive electronic copies of the photos to print at their vendor of choice. All fees for the one-hour sessions are donated by local photographers.
Families Helping Families of Iowa -SHOES
Through a collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids and other community organizations, children in foster care are eligible to receive one new pair of shoes through the Families Helping Families Shoe Voucher Program.
Mama Sing My Song -
Stuffed Animals
At Mama Sing My Song, we believe that every child should know just how wanted, treasured, and loved they are— our personalized songs are written with this goal in mind.
Extending Grace Grocery Delivery - Iowa City area
Extending Grace is a ministry of Grace Community Church that seeks to serve and support all foster and adoptive families in the Corridor. This is done using a variety of services to help the transition into new homes be as seamless as possible for everyone involved, as well as provide practical assistance and fun activities throughout the year for the whole family.
Roots of Home Resource Center
Family Visits, Meals, First Night Backpacks
Foster The Family - North Central Iowa
Our flagship service is provide foster families with ability to borrow large items such as car seats, strollers and more for FREE when they receive a placement!
Families Helping Families Goodwill Vouchers - Eastern Iowa
Any family that has a placement that has foster care, relative placement, or adopted status through DHS in the State of Iowa. Each child in these outer counties is eligible for a $30 Goodwill voucher twice a year – One voucher in the spring and one voucher in the fall.
Families Helping Families Birthday Bundles
​Each child will receive one gift, a birthday card, and party decorations. Your child has a variety of options to choose from for their birthday toys
Share My Smile
Project Birthday Joy - SW Iowa
Through Project Birthday Joy when the family is registered with Share My Smile, all children in the home receive a birthday card with a $20 gift card the month of their birthday. Foster, kindship/guardianship children additionally receive a pop-up party pack to celebrate their birthday.
Share My Smile
Care For You Action - SW Iowa
Care for You Action (CFYA) provides backpacks full of necessities when entering a new home. Families may also request a Care bag at the time they register with Share My Smile, and any time a new child enters their home.
Open Arms
First Night Backpacks - Jasper County
The Open Arms Foundation provides backpacks filled with essential items that a child might need during their initial entry into foster care.
Open Arms
Family Visit Location -
Jasper County
Our physical office location - the Open Arms Resource Center - acts as a visitation space for families when visits need to be supervised.
Open Arms
Dream Cycles -
Jasper County
We plan to turn dreams into reality. With "DreamCycles," at-risk children experiencing foster care can own a bicycle, promoting inclusion and a sense of belonging within their communities.
My G.E.A.R. Outreach -
Eastern Iowa
Supporting local children entering foster care
PROGRAMS FOR TEENS
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Evelyn K. Davis Center - Opportunity Passport
Opportunity Passport® is designed for young people ages 14 to 26 who have been in foster care. It provides an on-ramp to mainstream banking and $1 for $1 matching funds to participants when they use their savings toward approved assets such as housing costs, expenses for college or trade school, or to acquire transportation
Launch Pad Housing
Providing low rent and mentorship in a family setting to young women aging out of foster care.
AMP Iowa
AMP is for youth ages 13-23 who are currently in foster care, been adopted from foster care, or are involved in any other type of out-of-home placement. Aftercare services, tutoring, transition information packets, scholarships and grants
Iowa Aftercare Services Network
We are a group of 9 nonprofit organizations across Iowa who support youth who have aged out of foster care or other out-of-home placement.
EVENTS
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Beauty Amidst The Ashes - HOPE Conference 2024
Nov 8 & 9
Through the HOPE Conference, we are engaging individuals and families in adoption and caring for children in need of families by offering education, support and encouragement. At this conference families are connecting with others as they walk their journey of faith
Beauty Amidst The Ashes -
100 Bikes for 100 Kids
What if children in Iowa foster care had brand new bikes to call their own?
ADOPTION RESOURCES
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Grayson's Gifts
Connecting adoptive families through education, community, and scholarship.
Beauty Amidst The Ashes -
Adoption Grant Program
One of the greatest barriers standing between children and families is the cost of adoption. The Beauty Amidst The Ashes Adoption grant helps break down that cost by providing financial aid for adopting families.