Recent News & Updates
Conference Registration Deadline is Approaching
(February 11, 2010) - Parents and social workers are invited to attend the 2010 IFAPA Spring Conference in on March 5th & 6th at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Ankeny. The IFAPA Spring Conference offers many great training opportunities from experts in the field. The conference rates are $60 per person (two-day) and $45 per person (one-day), lunch is provided both days. The conference registration deadline is Friday, February 19th. All registrations must be postmarked or dropped off at the IFAPA office by Friday, February 19, 2010 in order to avoid a late fee. If you opt to register after Friday, February 19, there will be a $10 LATE FEE added to the cost of each participant's registration. More about the conference
New CPR & First Aid Classes in Waukee
(February 2, 2010) - Due to the high demand for CPR and First Aid classes in the Des Moines area, IFAPA will be offering two additional classes in Waukee on Saturday, April 24 and Saturday, May 8 from 9am to 1:15pm. If you would like to sign up for one of these dates, please call Stephanie Miles at 800-277-8145 ext. 1. The cost to attend is $25 per person and the payment must be sent in at least two weeks prior to the date of the class. IFAPA is also offering CPR and First Aid training during our conference on March 5 & 6. For more info about the conference, click here.
January eNewsletter
(January 22, 2010) - The January issue of the IFAPA eNewsletter has been added to the website. To read, visit the following link: January 2010 eNewsletter
Attend IFAPA's Legislative Breakfast - Feb. 16
(January 12, 2010) - This year Iowa faces a record budget shortfall. Iowa legislators will face a daunting task to try and provide services to so many in need with such limited funding. Children in the child welfare system are some of the most vulnerable children in Iowa. IFAPA will continue to work to be a voice for children and families, but we need your help. It is imperative that IFAPA members keep their legislators informed on the issues facing children in their care. Please consider attending our Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, February 16 from 7am to 9am at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. To attend, call IFAPA at 800-277-8145 ext. 4. View Legislative Resources
IFAPA Bylaw Changes
(January 8, 2010) - IFAPA's Policy and Bylaw Committee has recommended some revisions be made to IFAPA's bylaws. These changes were then approved by the Board of Directors at the December board meeting, to be presented to foster and adoptive families for approval. These changes will be voted on at the next IFAPA General Membership meeting which will be held during the IFAPA Spring Conference on Friday, March 5th. VIEW BYLAW CHANGES
IFAPA's Spring Training Schedule
(December 29, 2009) - We have posted our spring training schedule on our website. The schedule includes trainings being offered February through June 2010. We are offering a couple new trainings this spring, including CPR & First Aid. IFAPA trainings are free, with the exception of the IFAPA Conference and the CPR & First Aid classes. Click on the links below to read about our new trainings.
7 Ways to Foster Love, Respect and Communication
The Journey from Foster Care to Adoption and Beyond
CPR & First Aid (Cost $25 per person, Must call 800-277-8145 ext. 1 to register two weeks in advance)
Click Here to View IFAPA’s Spring Training Schedule
New Lifebook Pages on IFAPA Website
(December 7, 2009) - IFAPA has recently added some new lifebook pages to our website and now offer the entire lifebook in one PDF document. This document is in English and in Spanish and can be downloaded for free. Visit lifebook page
Important Message from DHS Regarding Budget Cuts
(November 6, 2009) - The Department of Human Services is aware that many foster and adoptive parents have heard of the across the board 10% budget cuts directed by the Governor’s Executive order. In order to implement the Department’s required reduction, all budget items were reviewed and careful thought was put into making decisions that would be the least disruptive to children and families. To meet the required reduction, a 5% across the board rate reduction of foster care, adoption subsidy and subsidized guardianship payments has been approved by the Governor. Read more
November Issue of News & Views Newsletter
(October 29, 2009) - The November issue of the IFAPA News & Views newsletter has been added to the website. See Newsletter
IFAPA Website Adds Online Registration for Training
(October 21, 2009) - Want to register for an IFAPA training? Families can register for an IFAPA training by using our new online registration form. To register for a class, click here.
H1N1 Notice to Foster Care Providers
(October 20, 2009) - The Iowa Department of Human Services and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) have partnered to develop written materials for foster care providers regarding novel influenza A (H1N1). Please read the following H1N1 memorandum from DHS and the written materials created to help foster care providers decrease the spread of influenza:
DHS Memorandum to Foster Care Providers
IDPH Recommendations for Foster Care
Environmental Cleaning & Disinfection
Daily Health Check Guidance & Checklist
How to Properly Take a Child's Temperature
Caring for Someone with H1N1
IFAPA Provides Training on Caring for Children with HIV
(October 9, 2009) - When placement of an HIV-infected child occurs, foster parents are required to complete the course “Caring for Children with HIV”. This course contains information on the unique aspects of pediatric HIV disease, transmission and infection control, the spectrum of HIV disease, confidentiality and self-care for the caregiver. IFAPA will be offering this training on Thursday, November 19 in Waverly, Dubuque and Des Moines. Learn more
September eNewsletter
(September 28, 2009) - The September issue of the IFAPA eNewsletter has been added to the website. To read, visit the following link: www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/Sept09ENews.pdf
IFAPA Publishes Two New Resources for Parents
(September 25, 2009) - IFAPA has posted the following new publications on our website.
Kinship Caretakers - How to Navigate Iowa's Child Welfare System
The Kinship Caretakers booklet was created to help Iowa kinship caretakers navigate the DHS and Juvenile Court systems when they are caring for a relative’s child. The booklet includes information on the different types of care a kinship caretaker can provide, financial assistance programs, community resources, and questions to ask DHS when considering a kinship placement.
Resource Parents Partnering with Birth Parents to Benefit Children
Why did you become a resource parent? Most people would answer this question by saying they want to help children and families, or they want to make a difference in a child’s life. One way you can have a big impact on a child’s life is by working with the birth parents to rebuild the family. There are enormous benefits for children and families when resource families and birth families work together. The information in this booklet will help resource parents gain a better understanding of the importance of positive connections with birth parents and ways resource parents can contribute to the success of these partnerships.
The Education of Children in Foster Care in Iowa
(September 24, 2009) - The Department of Education recognizes that children in foster care face additional educational barriers that their peers do not. The Department of Education has prepared a packet of resources as a courtesy to and for the use of school personnel, DHS workers, foster parents, etc.
This publication includes information on the following topics:
- Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
- Confidentiality of records
- Participation in extracurricular activities by certain children
- Transfer of educational records
- Eligibility for waiver of student fees
- Frequently asked questions
- Rights and responsibilities of DHS, Foster Parents, Parents and Schools
Upcoming Conferences / Trainings
(September 4, 2009) - Visit the Other Training section to learn about other non-IFAPA trainings and conferences that may be of importance to foster and adoptive parents. Some are approved for foster parent credit, such as The Hidden Epidemic: Sexually Transmitted Disease & Teen Pregnancy in the Foster Care System & Promoting Healthy Children Conference.
Learn More
New DHS Rules
(September 3, 2009) - DHS has new rule changes that will affect foster and adoptive families and will take affect on October 1, 2009. Read the New DHS Rules.
Foster Care Maintenance & Adoption Subsidy Payments
(September 1, 2009) - Do you want to know when you will receive your foster care maintenance and/or adoption subsidy payment? To find out how the payments are processed and to see the payment schedule for the following year, click here.
IFAPA Newsletters
To learn about other recent news and updates, read the latest IFAPA Newsletters.
