Training Requirements for Foster Parents:                                                    

In Iowa, foster parents needs six hours of training annually to renew their foster care license.  At least three training hours must be done in a group setting.  All renewal training hours must be completed prior to the family's license renewal date.  Foster parents are mandatory reporters of child abuse.  Foster parents are required to complete mandatory child abuse training within six months of initial licensing and every five years thereafter.  Please see below for a list of training options and training forms for foster parents.

Training Requirements for Adoptive Parents:                                               

Adoptive parents are not required to participate in training hours. However, adoptive parents report that children's issues do not go away and sometimes issues surface after adoption finalization. IFAPA provides training that meets adoptive parents' challenges.

Upcoming Training Opportunities:                                                                   

Register for a Class Registration is required to attend one of IFAPA's training classes.   To register, call or e-mail: 515-289-4567 ext. 1 800-277-8145 ext. 1 smiles@ifapa.org   IFAPA does not offer training opportunities during the months of July or August, so please plan accordingly.

Current IFAPA Training Schedule

IFAPA offers a variety of free six-hour and three-hour classes on Saturdays that were created to help foster, adoptive and kinship parents.  To view the current IFAPA training schedule, click here.

Support Group / Non-IFAPA Trainings

There are many foster/adoptive parent support groups located throughout the state that offer training during their meeting.  IFAPA also promotes other upcoming non-IFAPA conferences and trainings that are beneficial to parents.  To view a list of support group trainings and non-IFAPA trainings, click here.

Mandatory Reporter Trainings

Foster parents are mandatory reporters of child abuse.  Foster parents are required to complete mandatory child abuse training within six months of initial licensing and every five years thereafter.  To view foster parent approved Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter classes, click here. 

Caring for Children with HIV Training

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.  If you would like to take this course, please contact IFAPA at 800.277.8145 ext. 1.  We will use your information to plan for future class needs and locations.

Online Training Courses Offered Through FosterParents.com

In Iowa, foster parents needs six hours of training annually to renew their foster care license.  Foster parents can obtain a maximum of three hours of their training through online courses offered by www.FosterParents.com; the other three hours must be obtained through a group setting. To view a list of online courses and the cost, click here.  These classes are not affiliated with IFAPA, if you have questions about the online courses call

818-998-4462.  Please be sure to read the online training directions to know time limits allowed to complete the online class.  Please note: The following two courses under the category Reactive Attachment Disorder, titled Bonding and Attachment Workshop I and Bonding and Attachment Workshop II are NOT approved for training credit.

Foster Parent Training Guide Sheet:                                                               

You must make an application for renewal of your license by contacting your licensing worker by phone or e-mail at least 30 days and no more than 90 days before your expiration date.  It is important to keep your certificates of attendance in a safe place during the year.  You will submit these certificates as proof of credit to your licensing worker.  For license renewal, foster parents need to provide the licensing worker with a copy of the training certificate and the Foster Parent Training Report form (470-2540).  To read more about training requirements from the DHS Foster Parent Handbook, click here: Training Requirements.  This guide sheet is for your records only, not for submission to your licensing worker.  View Guide Sheet 

Inclement Weather – Class Cancellations:                                                     

During the winter months, bad weather can happen.  We try our best to avoid cancelling trainings.  If the trainer is able to make it to the training location, IFAPA will still hold the class for those families that need to get their training hours completed.  If you feel the weather is too dangerous to travel, please stay home and you can register for a different upcoming class.  If a class needs to be cancelled, we will make every effort to notify all attendees of the cancellation via phone and on the home page of our website.  IFAPA will also list all class cancellations on our Training Coordinator’s voicemail.  If you would like to find out if any classes have been cancelled due to weather, please call 800-277-8145 ext. 2.

Want to Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent?                                                  

If you are not a licensed foster/adoptive parent and would like to get started with the approval process, please contact Iowa KidsNet at 800-243-0756 or visit their website www.iowakidsnet.com.  Iowa KidsNet coordinates orientations & the PS-MAPP training schedule for prospective foster/adoptive parents.