Iowa post-adoption support

Below are post-adoption and guardianship support services available to families who live in Iowa. Services may not be available in all areas and/or may be dependent upon the circumstances of the placement. Please check with your post-adoption services provider about the availability of specific post-adoption or guardianship support services for your family. You can also visit Child Welfare Information Gateway for information on Adoption and Guardianship Assistance, as well as additional information on post-adoption support.

On this page:

Post-adoption/guardianship support services

In Iowa, adoptive and guardianship families have access to the following services:

  • Child/youth assessment 
  • Information (websites, fact sheets, articles, etc.) 
  • Referral to services
  • Training/other development 
  • Case management
  • Peer support for parents
  • Community-based therapeutic services 
  • Crisis intervention

The following services may be available as part of an adoption/guardianship subsidy agreement based on the needs of the individual child: 

  • Educational support
  • Respite care

Who is eligible for these services?

  • Families who have adopted from the state’s foster care system
  • Families who took guardianship of a child from the state’s foster care system 

Parent support groups

Below are support groups for adoptive, kinship, and foster families. Support groups may be offered as part of a state’s post-adoption/guardianship support program, through a statewide or regional foster or adoptive parent association, through specific agencies, or may be run independently. If we have additional information about the group’s purpose or the community served, it’s provided under the group’s contact information.

To add a group or make a suggestion, email the AdoptUSKids family support team

Statewide associations

Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association
ifapa@ifapa.org

Parent groups

Abby's One True Gift Adoptions
abby@onetruegift.com
Location: Waukee

Allison Area Foster Parents Support Group
aafpsg@gmail.com
Location: Waverly

American Home Finding Association
Location: Ottumwa

Avalon Center Adoption Agency
Location: Charles City

Bethany Christian Services of Northwest Iowa
bcsorangecity@bethany.org
Location: Orange City

Children & Families of Iowa
contactus@cfiowa.org
Location: Des Moines

Christian Home Association - Children's Square U.S.A.
visitorcenter@childrenssquare.org
Location: Council Bluffs

Des Moines/Henry/Louisa Sprt Group
jshelman@younghouse.org
Location: Winfield

Families Helping Families
office@fhfia.org
319-294-9706
Location: Cedar Rapids

Family Resources, Inc.
info@famres.org
Location: Davenport

Lutheran Social Services
susan.salmon@lsiowa.org
Location: Davenport

Lutheran Social Services
dawn.luetje@lsiowa.org
712-263-9341
Location: Denison

North Central Foster Parent Association
cmcguireifapa@gmail.com
Location: Ventura

North Central Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
cmcguire@ifapa.org
Location: Ventura

Ours Through Adoption
OursThroughAdoption@gmail.com
Location: Davenport

Youth and Shelter Services, Inc.
BSchrader@yss.org
Location: Ames