| 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.
Connects Iowans to the education and training needed to improve careers and skill sets.
Provides training and educational programs to help acquire skills that can add value to their career path.
Intake Process:
Online request help form
Mailing Address:
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
Website: Visit Website
Provides free programs that are educational and therapeutic in nature to individuals with Down Syndrome from birth through adulthood, their families, and the community.
All ages of programs for education, arts, and play-based.
Intake Process:
Online account
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Mailing Address:
6507 University Avenue
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
Website: Visit Website
Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in third and eighth grade. We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons, and running games.
Physical activity, life skills, and lessons
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 5:00 am-8:00 pm
Saturday 6:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Website: Visit Website
Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in third and eighth grade. We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons, and running games.
Physical activity, life skills, and lessons
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 5:00 am-8:00 pm
Saturday 6:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Website: Visit Website
Empowering cis-girls & women, non-binary, and trans youth & adults through self-expression, creative agency, and mentoring in music & arts-based education, collaboration, performance, and production.
Camps, after-school programs, lessons
Intake Process:
Online form
Mailing Address:
6301 University Ave Suite 200
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
Website: Visit Website
Provides free healthcare for everyone
Physical exams, acute illness and injury care, medication assistance, chronic disease management, and diabetes testing
Intake Process:
Walk-ins
Hours:
Tuesday 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Mailing Address:
3700 Cottage Grove
Des Moines, IA 50311
Website: Visit Website
Granger Public Library offers a community refrigerator inside the library. Community refrigerators are open to anyone to take what they need to feed themselves and their family. Members of the local community stock the refrigerators and shelves with perishable and nonperishable items. The availability of items at the refrigerators change daily and throughout the day.
- Perishable food items
- Non-perishable food items
Eligibility:
There are no restrictions on who can access the food or how often food can be accessed.
Intake Process:
There is no intake process. People can take what they need from the refrigerator without signing up or providing their information.
Hours:
Can be accessed during library hours.
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Website: Visit Website
HOPES-HFI is a home visiting program and serves families with young children. The program goals are to promote child health and development, improve family relationships, and encourage positive parenting and family relationships.
- Prenatal education and delivery preparation
- Newborn, toddler and child health and development information and referrals
- School readiness and social skills
- Whole family development and goal setting
- Classes and social events that educate parents and promote interaction among children
Eligibility:
New parents who are expecting up until their child is 3 years old.
Intake Process:
For more information or to enroll, contact Public Health at 515-386-3228.
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Payment:
No cost to participant.
Website: Visit Website
HOPES-HFI is a home visiting program and serves families with young children. The program goals are to promote child health and development, improve family relationships, and encourage positive parenting and family relationships.
- Prenatal education and delivery preparation
- Newborn, toddler and child health and development information and referrals
- School readiness and social skills
- Whole family development and goal setting
- Classes and social events that educate parents and promote interaction among children
Eligibility:
New parents who are expecting up until their child is 3 years old.
Intake Process:
Call for further steps/information and enrollment:
641-747-3972
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Payment:
No cost to participant.
Website: Visit Website
Database of housing resources throughout the state of Iowa intended for Iowans seeking to maintain or acquire safe and affordable housing.
- Resource Development
- Advocacy
- Training and Technical Assistance
- Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Downpayment Assistance
- Housing Loans
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm.
Website: Visit Website
2200 E Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317, USA
Phone 515-650-6827 | Fax 515-284-5559
Home improvement store with new & gently used building materials, hardware & appliances, plus paint.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Mailing Address:
2200 E. Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
Website: Visit Website
4033 Northwest Urbandale Drive, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA
Phone 515-650-6828 | Fax 515-284-5559
Home improvement store with new & gently used building materials, hardware & appliances, plus paint.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Website: Visit Website
“Hamilton County Public Health has offered a wide variety of home and community based services since the 1940’s. HCPH provides quality compassionate care to the entire community from pre-birth through death. HCPH staff is made up of Nurses, Direct Care Workers, Social Workers, educators, financial specialists, clerical, volunteers, many with specialized training, to better serve our clients and their families’. HCPH has received National Credentialing of its HOPES program”
- In Home Nursing
- HOPES
- Direct Care Professionals
- Cancer Links
- Emergency Preparedness
- Sanitarian
- Home Care Aides
- Skilled Nursing
- Pandemic Flu
- Tobacco Cessation
Intake Process:
Contact Hamilton County Public Health office for further information.
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
Website: Visit Website
Harrison County Home & Public Health Department is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network. The diaper bank is open for Harrison County residents. A variety of diaper sizes are available; however, supply cannot be guaranteed.
- Newborn to size six diapers
- Pull-Ups
- Bottom Ointments
- Adult Incontinence Briefs
- Wet Wipes
- Infant Formula
Eligibility:
Harrison County Residents
Intake Process:
Call 712-644-2220 prior to picking-up diapers.
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm.
Payment:
No Cost to Participants
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Website: Visit Website
“HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program) is a dynamic nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the lives of families and individuals in our communities. Our mission is to break down the barriers of poverty through a wide range of programs and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of those we serve”
- Health & Nutrition Services
- Energy Conservation
- Children Services
- Affordable Housing Services
- Veteran Support Services
- Homelessness Services
- Embrace Iowa
- Community Resources
Eligibility:
Services for individuals residing in one of the following counties: Benton, Dubuque, Delaware, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington.
Intake Process:
Contact HACAP office for further assistance. Intake process varies by each service.
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Website: Visit Website
Community Health Partners offers the Healthy Families Program to parent(s) who are expecting a baby or have a newborn infant. Healthy Families is nationally accredited by Healthy Families America. It is a free, voluntary, culturally humble program that focuses on family strengths and healthy parent child interaction and bonding. The goals of the Healthy Families Program are safe and healthy children and families, empowered parents, and school ready children. Priority for service is given to single parents, first-time parents, and teen parents.
- Prenatal education and delivery preparation
- Newborn, toddler and child health and development information and referrals
- School readiness and social skills
- Whole family development and goal setting
- Classes and social events that educate parents and promote interaction among children
Eligibility:
- Prenatal families or families with newborns may be eligible for HOPES services.
- A Family Support Worker may work with a family until a child reaches five years of age or until the family no longer request services.
Intake Process:
Email for further steps/information and enrollment: alyssa.barton@lsiowa.org
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Payment:
No cost to participant.
Website: Visit Website
Provides public transportation to Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, and Warren counties.
Provides public transportation.
Intake Process:
Call or email to schedule a trip or receive more information.
Hours:
Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, and Warren: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-5:00pm
Story: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-5:00pm
Ames: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-8:00pm. Saturday, 7:30am-6:00pm. Sunday, 8:30am-6:00pm.
Mailing Address:
2824 104th Street
Urbandale, IA
Website: Visit Website
“Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA) works in partnership with public and accredited non-public schools to provide educational services, programs and resources for improving the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth in central Iowa. Heartland AEA staff members serve children from birth to age 21, families, educators and communities.”
- Early Access
- Early Childhood Services
- Hearing Screen Services
- Special Education
- Digital Resources
- Educator and Administrator Resources
Eligibility:
Heartland AEA staff members serve children from birth to age 21, families, educators and communities.
Intake Process:
Dependent on service.
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Mailing Address:
6500 Corporate Drive
Johnston, IA 50131
Payment:
No fees to families.
Website: Visit Website
Henry County Public Health offers programs and services to protect and promote the health of all people in all communities. We focus on preventing people from getting sick or hurt.
- Car Seat Safety Checks
- Care For Yourself Program
- CARE LINKS
- Blood Pressure Screening Clinic
- General Assistance
- Happy Feet Program
- Health Navigation
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisoning Preventions
- Newborn Nurse Visitor Program
- Stepping On Program
- STI/HIV/Hepatitis C Testing
- Walk with Ease Program
Eligibility:
Individuals residing in Henry County, Iowa.
Intake Process:
Contact Henry County Public Health office for more information. Intake process varies per service.
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm.
Website: Visit Website
Connects Iowa businesses with qualified veterans and their spouses looking for career opportunities.
- Connects veterans to jobs and education
Intake Process:
Online form to complete.
Website: Visit Website
“Founded in 1967, HOME, Inc. is Des Moines’ oldest housing nonprofit dedicated to empowering our neighbors by helping them overcome the barriers to obtaining and maintaining safe, stable, affordable housing. We do this through education, housing counseling, neighborhood revitalization, and affordable housing development”.
- Property Development
- Education & Counseling
- Affordable Housing
Website: Visit Website
Order a free Christmas meal to be delivered to your home. Des Moines Metro residents can call 515-265-4277 or reserve a meal online at hopeiowa.org
Eligibility:
Orders will be taken from Monday, Dec 1-Wednesday, Dec 17th or until capacity is reached. Deadline to order in home meals is December 17th @4:00pm.
“At Hope Ministries, we serve three free meals to community members every day at our Hope Cafe, connected to our Bethel Mission men’s emergency shelter at 1310 6th Avenue, Des Moines. We invite anyone in the community to join us during the following meal times”.
- Community meals
Hours:
Monday-Saturday: Breakfast 7:00 am, Lunch 12:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm.
Sunday: Breakfast 8:00 am, Lunch 1:30 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm.
Website: Visit Website
Eligibility:
Anyone is able to join on Christmas Day.
Intake Process:
No intake process, open to all.
Hours:
Thursday, December 25th from noon-1pm.
Provides shelter, food, clothing and case management support for men.
- Residential Services
- Men’s Shelter
Intake Process:
Call 515-244-5445 for more information.
Website: Visit Website
