IFAPA Programs & Resources
The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association offers the following programs and resources to support foster, adoptive and kinship parents in Iowa.
Trainings for Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Parents
IFAPA offers a variety of continuing education to foster, adoptive and kinship parents throughout the year. IFAPA strives to provide effective trainings on parenting, working with the system and birth parents, and other relevant issues in foster care and adoption. LEARN MORE
IFAPA Conference
IFAPA hosts a spring training conference every year for foster, adoptive and kinship parents and social workers. The IFAPA Spring Conference offers many great training opportunities from experts in the field. All of our conference trainings are approved for foster parent credit and many are also approved for social work CEUs. LEARN MORE
Peer Liaisons
IFAPA has eleven Foster and Adoptive Parent Peer Liaisons across the state. Peer Liaisons provide peer support to foster and adoptive parents in their assigned areas. They contact newly licensed foster homes and are available as an on-going source of information and support. LEARN MORE
Resource Information Specialists
The Resource Information Specialists help families successfully meet the challenges of parenting the children placed in their home through telephone support, educational materials, knowledge of services available, and connections to other families. LEARN MORE
Subsidized Adoption Respite Program
Families who receive adoption subsidy are eligible for five days of respite per year. IFAPA administers the Subsidized Adoption Respite Program for DHS by facilitating the respite payments. LEARN MORE
Friends of Children in Foster Care
The Friends of Children in Foster Care program provides foster children with the funds they need for those special “extras” in life which they would otherwise not receive. Some items this program has been able to help foster children obtain include music instruments, summer camps, schools trip and senior pictures.
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Support Group Affiliation
Support groups offer opportunities for parents to provide mutual support as well as obtain required training. IFAPA provides educational materials, training opportunities, financial assistance and general support to over 45 support groups. LEARN MORE
Kinship Connections
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. LEARN MORE
F.A.I.R. Line (Foster Allegation Information Resource)
This program was developed to assist foster and adoptive parents across Iowa who face an allegation of abuse or neglect. The FAIR phone line is designed to provide support, information and resources to parents during a difficult time. LEARN MORE
Public Policy Advocacy
IFAPA members are 7,016 voices strong. Iowa’s foster and adoptive families are improving the child welfare and child protective system by advocating for positive change. IFAPA will continue to advocate for innovative and established best practices to improve the Iowa Child Welfare system. Every year, IFAPA hosts a Legislative Breakfast at the Iowa State Capitol. During this event, foster and adoptive families have the opportunity to meet legislators and advocate for children issues. LEARN MORE
IFAPA Website
The IFAPA website serves as a resource for families and social workers in the field. Parents can access information on IFAPA programs, upcoming training dates, support group locations, DHS forms, copies of IFAPA publications and links to other helpful resources. Check out our site map to find everything you need.
Listserv Discussion Group
The IFAPA listserv connects and provides support to foster and adoptive families via the internet. Members can post questions and answers and share information on topics of interest. LEARN MORE
IFAPA Newsletters
News & Views - IFAPA produces the News and Views newsletter on a quarterly basis. Policy updates, peer support, training opportunities and resources relating to foster, adoptive and kinship families are core subjects of this newsletter.
Weekly Word - IFAPA also produces a weekly newsletter called the Weekly Word that is sent electronically to all IFAPA members. This newsletter contains information regarding IFAPA’s programs, trainings and other information helpful to foster, adoptive and kinship families. The latest issues of these newsletters are available on the IFAPA website.
VIEW NEWSLETTERS
IFAPA Publications
IFAPA publishes a variety of resource materials for foster, adoptive and kinship parents to assist them in understanding procedures of DHS and to enhance their parenting skills. All publications are free of charge and are available on our website. VIEW PUBLICATIONS
IFAPA Lifebook Pages
IFAPA has created over 70 lifebook pages that families can print off for free. A lifebook is a scrapbook-like creation that documents a foster/adoptive child's history, celebrates their accomplishments, their experiences with different families, and their feelings along the way. VIEW LIFEBOOK PAGES
Appreciation Event
IFAPA hosts our annual appreciation day at Adventureland. All foster, adoptive and kinship families are invited to a day of fun at discounted prices. The event is held every year at the end of summer. VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS
