Resource Directory

The Family Help Guide is designed to help you locate community resources and support services across Iowa. The amount of information and resources available in our community can be overwhelming to access, we can help you navigate the search. This directory includes resources and information about the people and programs available in your area to support and empower you. 

If you would like a resource added or revised, you may use the contact button at the top of this page or email the information to iafamilysupportnetwork@everystep.org

Note: Distances are approximate.

Displaying locations 76 - 100 of 355

Our Child Development Center at Camp Sunnyside provides education in an integrated setting where children with and without disabilities ages six weeks to five years old have the opportunity to learn and grow together in a fun and unique environment.

Day camp with activities including swimming, nature trails, horseback riding and more.

Intake Process:

Call 515-309-2376

Hours:

Monday-Friday 6:30 am-6:30 pm

Mailing Address:

401 NE 66th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313

Website: Visit Website


Achieving Independent Methods (AIM) is a wrap-around program for clients to learn and grow all while utilizing one program. The program offers a full range of direct services, including employment, housing, health services, recreation, daily living skills and socialization. A representative payee can assist with bill payments and money management.

Support with payments, money management, housing, and daily living skills

Eligibility:

Serves Polk County age 18 and older with intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, physical and developmental disabilities.

Intake Process:

Email hbrewster@eastersealsia.org

Mailing Address:

401 NE 66th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: Visit Website


The Easter seals Iowa Assistive Technology Program helps Iowans learn about and access the assistive technology (AT) they need as part of their daily lives to live, learn, work, play, and participate in community life safely and independently.

Helps individuals learn and access their assistive technology

Intake Process:

Call 515-289-4069 or email atinfo@eastersealsia.org to schedule an appointment

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM. – 5:00 PM.

Website: Visit Website


Clients Socially Integrated is a community-based day program for adults with disabilities focused on learning transferable skills that lead to independence in the community. This is achieved by spending the day out in the community, learning to navigate the public transportation system, relationship building, problem solving and deciding as a group what activities to do.

Helps adults with disabilities learn skills that lead to independence in the community

Eligibility:

Adults who are diagnosed with a developmental or intellectual disability

Intake Process:

Complete program application online and email it to rbell@eastersealsia.org.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: Yes

Website: Visit Website


The program provides training in skills such as socialization, communication, problem-solving, creative thinking, peer relationships and more. Life Club clients make friends, get out to see different community attractions and choose and lead activities they enjoy. Team members focus on strengths and independence as clients participate in activities

Training in socialization, creative thinking, peer relationships, problem solving and more.

Eligibility:

Adults who have been diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability

Intake Process:

Apply online and email to rbell@eastersealsia.org

Website: Visit Website


Project SEARCH is an internship program that places young adults with special needs in a real working environment, giving them skills to prepare for the workforce. The goal of the program is community-based employment for clients. Internships take place at Mercy Medical Center.

Community-based employment for clients

Eligibility:

This program is only available to Des Moines Public School students

Intake Process:

Call 515-309-1783

Website: Visit Website


Easter Seals Iowa offers agricultural work site and home modification consultations, peer support, services for the family, information and referrals, and medical equipment loan services. Team members are knowledgeable about resources throughout the state that can address the unique needs of rural family members with disabilities, and actively pursue services that will enhance their lives

Agricultural work site and home modification consultations, peer support, services for the entire family, education, information and referrals, and equipment loan services

Eligibility:

Any farm family member with a disability or an individual living in a town with a population less than 250,000

Intake Process:

Call 515-309-1783

Website: Visit Website


Supported Community Living (SCL) provides people with disabilities the opportunity to live as independently as possible in the community. Service includes support with safety, housekeeping, finances, communication, employment, socialization, transportation and wellness.

Hourly supported community living and 24-hour supported community living

Intake Process:

Online application

Website: Visit Website


Supported Education is a unique program designed to give participants support and guidance as they develop marketable skills through post-secondary education. Participants are provided with ongoing support throughout the semester with registering for classes, accessing campus resources and communicating with faculty.

Post secondary education support

Intake Process:

Apply online

Website: Visit Website


Supported Employment assists clients in both obtaining and maintaining community-based employment. A job developer supports clients in determining employment opportunities they are interested in and in finding a job. Job developers also support clients to fill out applications, prepare resumes and perfect interview skills. Once a job is obtained, a job coach assists clients to learn job responsibilities, the culture and values of the work environment, job accommodations and explaining how employment affects their benefits.

Support in finding and maintaining employment

Intake Process:

Complete the program application and email it to Intake Coordinator Renee Bell at rbell@eastersealsia.org or call 515-309-1783

Website: Visit Website


Eastside Church of the Nazarene operates a food pantry in conjunction with the Food Bank of Iowa.

In addition to the regular food pantry, they serve as a pantry site for Des Moines Public School (DMPS) through the Food Bank of Iowa. Serving families with students from Philips Elementary School, Willard Elementary School, Hoyt Middle School, Brubaker Elementary School, Stowe Elementary School and Pleasant Hill Elementary School.

  • Food box with 3-4 days supply of food
  • Personal items vary

Intake Process:

The pantry operates on an appointment basis from 9: 00 am until 10:30am on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. To make an appointment, please call the church office (515-265-6000) at 9:00 am on Tuesday or Thursday and schedule a pickup time.

DMPS school pantry operates on Thursdays from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm.

Bring a photo ID and a proof of residence (your recent utility bill or other business mail with your name and address) to the appointment. Identification of the members of your household should also be provided.

Hours:

By appointment only for Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Website: Visit Website


Eddie Davis Community Center is located in Valley Junction in West Des Moines. The community center offers services such as a food pantry, meal site, and clothing closet.

  • Food Pantry
  • Clothing Closet
  • Community Meals
  • Computer Lab
  • Legal Referral Clinic
  • Library
  • Health & Fitness

Eligibility:

Serves individuals and families in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties.

Hours:

Monday – Friday 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: Visit Website


Ellipsis community programs are focused on strengthening family life, reestablishing the self-worth of the individual and teaching basic skills for living in the community, all while maximizing opportunities to keep families together. We tailor our program delivery for each child or young adult, employing a variety of techniques and strategies depending on individual needs and situations. Our prevention and diversion programs and our behavioral health support and after care programs are designed to ensure kids can stay in their homes while receiving services ranging from personal and family-based therapy to crisis stabilization, and can take place in the home, remotely or in other community settings.

therapy services, behavioral health intervention services (BHIS), and Pediatric integrated health home (IHH)

Intake Process:

Use the website to submit an inquiry

Website: Visit Website


When circumstances dictate that a child can no longer stay in their own home, the Residential Care programs at Ellipsis provide opportunities for healing and growth within an appropriate and enriching environment. Each provides a focused, sustained and committed effort to meeting needs as determined by each youth’s individual care plan, with the goal of establishing the skills and mindsets needed to return to their homes, or to transition to supervised living situations.

Foster group care services (QRTP) and neurodevelopmental and comorbid conditions (NACC)

Intake Process:

Online form

Hours:

24-hour care

Website: Visit Website


The Early Childhood Parent Navigator program provides refugee parents with early childhood development education and support in their native language. The program also works to increase opportunities for family engagement with schools and service providers, increase enrollment and support of refugee children in preschool and kindergarten, and help teachers and school staff better understand refugee parents.

Interpretation services, wrap-around services and support, monthly community learning circles, navigator training, cultural presentations, educational videos, preschool and kindergarten enrollment, and parent education workshops

Intake Process:

Link on the website to sign up or refer a family

Website: Visit Website


We exist to empower people of all gender and sexual identities in all life stages through the provision of quality reproductive health care that includes abortion services, gynecology services, safer sex promotion, and active education. We promote respectful, client-centered and participatory health care through informed decision making, client rights, advocacy and expansion, and support of pregnancy choices.

We offer non-judgmental, quality health care services. Our goals are inspired by our belief in the larger ideals of feminist philosophy: political, economic, and social equality.

  • Family Planning Services
  • Sexual Health and STI Testing
  • Blood Pressure Checks

Eligibility:

Available to anyone.

Hours:

Clinic hours (by appointment):
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Some Saturdays (call first)

Walk-in hours (only some services available as walk-in):
Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Thursday 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Some Saturdays (call first)

Mailing Address:

227 N. Dubuque Street
Iowa City, IA 52245

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: Yes

Website: Visit Website