State Office

Respite care provides adoptive parents with a break from the constant demands of caring for their special needs adopted child (children). It may be used for planned activities or emergency situations. It is not to be used for regular daycare.

The IFAPA Foster Allegations Information Resource (FAIR) program was developed to assist foster and adoptive parents across Iowa who face an allegation of abuse or neglect. The FAIR line is designed to provide support, information and resources to parents during this difficult time.

The IFAPA FAIR program has a toll-free confidential phone line (877-788-7255 statewide or 515-261-7255 Des Moines area). The FAIR Coordinator can answer questions and provide accurate information regarding the assessment process.

The FAIR Program will provide foster parents information, not counseling or legal advice, regarding the assessment process, as well as foster home licensing issues. The FAIR Program is not involved in the Child Abuse Assessment, instead it is a resource for foster parents who need information and have further questions.

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.

The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association offers programs and resources to support foster, adoptive, and kinship parents in Iowa. IFAPA offers a variety of continuing education & support groups to foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.

The IFAPA website serves as a resource for families and social workers. Parents can access information on IFAPA programs, trainings, support groups, DHS forms, resources, and IFAPA publications.

The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association empowers, supports and advocates for foster, adoptive and kinship families in Iowa. IFAPA provides training, peer support and resources to promote safety, permanency and well-being for Iowa’s children. Membership with IFAPA is free to all foster, adoptive and kinship parents in Iowa.

The Kinship Connections program is a resource for families caring for a relative’s child or a child considered kin placed through Juvenile Court. IFAPA provides peer support, information, resources, and referrals to community services.

IFAPA employs 11 Peer Liaisons across Iowa who mentor foster families and provide peer-to-peer support. IFAPA Peer Liaisons are established foster parents who have experience dealing with many of the same issues facing other foster families. They are trained to help empower foster families to advocate for the best interests of the children in their care and promote best practice. The Peer Liaisons will assist families in understanding DHS Child Welfare initiatives including: forming partnerships with birth families, maintain sibling connections and connections to a child’s culture, and participating in family interactions. They are knowledgeable about DHS policies and practices and can assist foster families to identify and address training needs. Peer Liaisons offer support through phone, email, and/or face-to-face interaction.

Foster, adoptive and kinship parents are welcome to attend any of our trainings. Even if you adopted internationally, privately or from another state, all Iowa adoptive parents are welcome to attend. There is no cost to attend our trainings (with the exception of our Spring Conference and CPR & First Aid classes). All of our trainings are approved for foster parent credit.