Support Group Trainings
About Support Group Trainings
There are many foster/adoptive parent support groups located throughout the state that offer training during their meeting that is approved for foster parent credit. **If training credit is not mentioned below, please check with the training contact person to see if the training has been approved for foster parent credit. You can also check with your licensing worker to see if a training can be approved for foster parent training credit.**
PLEASE NOTE: Most support groups do not meet during the summer months. Please plan accordingly for your training needs. In Iowa, foster parents need six hours of training annually to renew their foster care license. At least three training hours must be done in a group setting, such as a support group or an IFAPA training class.
DVD & Instructor-Lead Training Options
ATTN SUPPORT GROUP LEADERS - Want to book an IFAPA Training for your upcoming support group? To view IFAPA's list of available support group trainings (instructor-lead trainings and DVD/VHS trainings), click here.
Upcoming Support Group Trainings
Please note: This training schedule is accurate to IFAPA's knowledge. The information posted below is what has been provided by the support group leaders. For questions about these support group trainings, please call or e-mail the contact person listed for that group.
| Ames Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| Mar 11, 2010 6:00 - 8:00pm |
TOPIC - Computer Safety, Trainer: Doug Jacobson, ISU 2 hours credit Child care provided |
Ames YSS Jacobsen Center, 420 Kellogg |
Ames Support Group Shawna Rolph 515-292-2942 |
| Mar 23, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit |
Newton Pence-Reese Tribute Center, 201 E. 4th St N |
JAMS Support Group Kim Jones 641-275-1029 |
| Apr 8, 2010 6:00 - 8:00pm |
TOPIC - Placement Practices, Trainer: Peer Liaisons 2 hours credit Child care provided |
Ames YSS Jacobsen Center, 420 Kellogg |
Ames Support Group Shawna Rolph 515-292-2942 |
| Apr 13, 2010 6:00 - 8:00pm |
TOPIC: Teen Anger Trainer - Kim Combes 2 hours credit Childcare & food provided |
Marshalltown 1st United Meth. Church, 202 W Main Street |
Marshall, Hardin, Tama County Support Group Kim Keenan 641-352-5623 |
| Apr 15, 2010 6:00 - 8:00pm |
Topic - to be determined 2 hours credit, snacks served Childcare offered, must RSVP |
Fort Dodge CFI Office, 111 Ave O West, Conf. Room |
Children & Families of Iowa Support Group Joy Thoma 515-573-2193 |
| Apr 27, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit |
Newton Pence-Reese Tribute Center, 201 E. 4th St N |
JAMS Support Group Kim Jones 641-275-1029 |
| May 11, 2010 6:00 - 8:00pm |
Topic - to be determined 2 hours credit Childcare & food provided |
Marshalltown 1st United Meth. Church, 202 W Main Street |
Marshall, Hardin, Tama County Support Group Kim Keenan 641-352-5623 |
| May 13, 2010 6:00 - 8:00pm |
TOPIC - What the Heck is Going On? Shawna Rolph & Cindy McVicker 2 hours credit Child care provided |
Ames YSS Jacobsen Center, 420 Kellogg |
Ames Support Group Shawna Rolph 515-292-2942 |
| May 25, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit |
Newton Pence-Reese Tribute Center, 201 E. 4th St N |
JAMS Support Group Kim Jones 641-275-1029 |
| Cedar Rapids Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| no info at this time, check back later |
|||
| Council Bluffs Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| Mar 18, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Council Bluffs IWCC Campus Looft Hall (Rm 16) 2700 College Rd |
CB Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Hector Villarreal 877-352-1299 |
| Mar 22, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: Family team meetings - Effective Involvement from Foster Parents 2 hours credit A snack will be served |
Denison Denison Police Dept, Meeting Room 1119 1st Ave N |
Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Dawn Luetje (LSI) 712-263-9341 |
| Mar. 25, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: CPR Training Trainer: Julie Kline RSVP required, call to get cost of class |
Atlantic IWCC Campus 705 Walnut |
Cass County Area Support Group Laura Carlton 877-352-1299 |
| Apr 6, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - Family Interaction & Questions - Mary Jo Rehm 2 hours credit No childcare provided |
Carroll Family Resource Center, 506 West 7th Street |
West Central Iowa Support Team Cathe Vanderheiden 712-792-2025 |
| Apr. 15, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: First Aid Training Trainer: Julie Kline RSVP required, call to get cost of class |
Atlantic IWCC Campus 705 Walnut |
Cass County Area Support Group Laura Carlton 877-352-1299 |
| Apr 22, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Council Bluffs IWCC Campus Looft Hall (Rm 18) 2700 College Rd |
CB Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Hector Villarreal 877-352-1299 |
| Apr 26, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: Responding to Crisis & Emergencies / Law Enforcement 2 hours credit A snack will be served |
Denison Denison Police Dept, Meeting Room 1119 1st Ave N |
Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Dawn Luetje (LSI) 712-263-9341 |
| May 4, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - Advocacy & Sensitivity - Patty Richie 2 hours credit No childcare provided |
Carroll Family Resource Center, 506 West 7th Street |
West Central Iowa Support Team Cathe Vanderheiden 712-792-2025 |
| May 20, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Council Bluffs IWCC Campus Looft Hall (Rm 16) 2700 College Rd |
CB Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Hector Villarreal 877-352-1299 |
| May 24, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Denison Denison Police Dept, Meeting Room 1119 1st Ave N |
Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Dawn Luetje (LSI) 712-263-9341 |
| June 1, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit No childcare provided |
Carroll Family Resource Center, 506 West 7th Street |
West Central Iowa Support Team Cathe Vanderheiden 712-792-2025 |
| June 17, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Council Bluffs IWCC Campus Looft Hall (Rm 16) 2700 College Rd |
CB Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Hector Villarreal 877-352-1299 |
| Aug 3, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit No childcare provided |
Carroll Family Resource Center, 506 West 7th Street |
West Central Iowa Support Team Cathe Vanderheiden 712-792-2025 |
| Aug 23, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Denison Denison Police Dept, Meeting Room 1119 1st Ave N |
Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Dawn Luetje (LSI) 712-263-9341 |
| Sept 7, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit No childcare provided |
Carroll Family Resource Center, 506 West 7th Street |
West Central Iowa Support Team Cathe Vanderheiden 712-792-2025 |
| Sept 27, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Denison Denison Police Dept, Meeting Room 1119 1st Ave N |
Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Dawn Luetje (LSI) 712-263-9341 |
| Oct 5, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit No childcare provided |
Carroll Family Resource Center, 506 West 7th Street |
West Central Iowa Support Team Cathe Vanderheiden 712-792-2025 |
| Oct 25, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: to be determined | Denison Denison Police Dept, Meeting Room 1119 1st Ave N |
Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Dawn Luetje (LSI) 712-263-9341 |
| Nov 9, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - Capt. Heino - Police Dept. Drugs & What to Watch for with Your Children 2 hours credit No childcare provided |
Carroll Family Resource Center, 506 West 7th Street |
West Central Iowa Support Team Cathe Vanderheiden 712-792-2025 |
| Nov 22, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
TOPIC: Maintaining positive Connections - Lifebooks | Denison Denison Police Dept, Meeting Room 1119 1st Ave N |
Denison Area Foster & Adoptive Parent Group Dawn Luetje (LSI) 712-263-9341 |
| Davenport Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| Mar. 16, 2010 6:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC: Boundaries Trainer: Dottie Fouse |
Davenport Scott County Comm. College Urban Center 306 W. River Dr |
Scott County Foster & Adoptive Parent Assoc James Huston 888-932-5041 |
| May 18, 2010 6:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC: Professional Relationships Trainer: Dottie Fouse |
Davenport Scott County Comm. College Urban Center 306 W. River Dr |
Scott County Foster & Adoptive Parent Assoc James Huston 888-932-5041 |
| Des Moines Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| no info at this time, check back later |
|||
| Dubuque Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| Mar 11, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
Topic - to be determined 2 hrs credit |
Maquoketa Public Library 126 S 2nd St |
Jackson/Jones County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. Kim Small 563-357-2866 |
| Apr 15, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
Understanding the Courts, Trainer-Judge Tabor 2 hours credit Snack served, no childcare |
Clinton Comm. College 1000 Lincoln Blvd |
Clinton County Support Group Kathy Rockwell 563-243-8200 |
| Apr 27, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hrs credit |
West Union Victory Christian Church, 112 S Pine Street |
Talk & Share Support Group Wayne Schroeder 563-427-5310 Amy Moore 563-427-5393 |
| May 13, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
Topic - to be determined 2 hrs credit |
Maquoketa Public Library 126 S 2nd St |
Jackson/Jones County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. Kim Small 563-357-2866 |
| June 2010 | Foster Parent Appreciation Event & Training date & time pending |
Clinton Comm. College 1000 Lincoln Blvd |
Clinton County Support Group Kathy Rockwell 563-243-8200 |
| Sioux City Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| Mar 11, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hrs credit Sign up for door prizes |
Algona First Presbyterian Church |
Kossuth Co. Foster Parent Support Group Kris Wolf 515-885-2741 |
| Mar 18, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
Topic - to be determined Childcare is offered |
Sheldon Parkview Assembly of God Church, 516 4th Ave |
Sheldon Support Group Rachel Esser 712-324-2359 |
| Mar 18, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
Cherish House (Home for Teen Moms) Trainer - Tim 2 hours credit |
Spencer Hope Reformed Church, 919 Grand Ave |
Clay County Support Group Kelly Upton 877-807-8009 |
| Apr 6, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
Topic -to be determined Snacks served No childcare |
Climbing Hill Emergency Substation |
Climbing Hill Support Group Rachelle Polkinghorn 712-873-5245 |
| Apr 8, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - Teaching Social Skills 2 hrs credit Sign up for door prizes |
Algona First Presbyterian Church |
Kossuth Co. Foster Parent Support Group Kris Wolf 515-885-2741 |
| Apr 13, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
Topic -First Aid training RSVP to Rachelle Snacks served No childcare |
LeMars LeMars Bible Church, 1550 7th Ave SE |
LeMars Support Group Rachelle Polkinghorn 712-873-5245 |
| Apr 22, 2010 6:30 - 8:30pm |
Adoption Information Trainer - Peggy Frank, DHS Woodbury Co. Adoption Unit 2 hours credit |
Spencer Hope Reformed Church, 919 Grand Ave |
Clay County Support Group Kelly Upton 877-807-8009 |
| May 13, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hrs credit Sign up for door prizes |
Algona First Presbyterian Church |
Kossuth Co. Foster Parent Support Group Kris Wolf 515-885-2741 |
| Waterloo Service Area Upcoming Trainings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Training Details | Location | Training Contact |
| Mar 16, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - The Importance of Respite & Using the Certified Respite Program 2 hours credit Food and childcare provided |
Waverly Vineyard Comm Church, 319 West Bremer |
Allison Area Foster Parents Nancy Magnall 877-467-4100 |
| Mar 16, 2010 6:30 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - Elevate Group Presents - Please bring your foster/adoptive children (ages 13+) to this support group 6:30 social, bring a snack to share, training from 7-9pm |
Mason City DHS Office, Liberty Room 22 N Georgia |
North IA Foster & Adoptive Parents Association Christie McGuire 641-923-3094 |
| Apr 13, 2010 6:30 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - Transitioning Youth & Elevate Social 6:30pm, Training 7-9pm 2 hrs credit, snacks provided Childcare available (0-12yrs) |
Waterloo Grace Lutheran Church, 1024 W 8th St |
Black Hawk Foster & Adoptive Group Dianna Seedorff 888-622-4521 |
| Apr 13, 2010 6:00 - 8:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined 2 hours credit |
Osage Osage Alliance Church, 726 State Street |
Charles City Area Support Group Joshua Pedretti 563-419-7057 |
| Jan 19, 2010 6:30 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - Medication Management & Organization/ Documentation Requirements 6:30 social, bring a snack to share, training from 7-9pm |
Mason City DHS Office, Liberty Room 22 N Georgia |
North IA Foster & Adoptive Parents Association Christie McGuire 641-923-3094 |
| May 11, 2010 6:30 - 9:00pm |
TOPIC - to be determined Social 6:30pm, Training 7-9pm 2 hrs credit, snacks provided Childcare available (0-12yrs) |
Waterloo Grace Lutheran Church, 1024 W 8th St |
Black Hawk Foster & Adoptive Group Dianna Seedorff 888-622-4521 |
| May 18, 2010 7:00 - 9:00pm |
Foster Parent Appreciation Event,
Topic - CPPC / DeCat / Empowerment - What's It All About? Presenters: Joy Dralle & Shawna Lebeck 2 hours credit Food and childcare provided |
Waverly Vineyard Comm Church, 319 West Bremer |
Allison Area Foster Parents Nancy Magnall 877-467-4100 |
For a list of Iowa support groups, click here.

