Additional Resources for Foster Parents
Iowa Department of Human Services (HHS)
Foster Parent Handbook, HHS Forms, etc.
HHS is responsible for approving families to become foster and adoptive families. They are also responsible for the selection of approved families for placement of Iowa's foster and adoptive children. IFAPA has created links to a variety of HHS publications and forms for Iowa's foster parents.
- HHS Check Payment Codes
- HHS Foster Parent Handbook
- Family Case Plan (470-3453)
- Foster Family Placement Contract (470-0716)
- Foster Parent Evaluation & Training Plan (470-3341)
- Foster Parent Training Application (470-2541) - PDF
- Foster Parent Training Application (470-2541) - WORD DOC (can complete electronically)
- Foster Parent Training History (470-2080)
- Foster Parent Training Report (470-2540) - PDF
- Foster Parent Training Report (470-2540) - WORD DOC (can complete electronically)
- Guide for Mandatory Reporters
- Info Regarding Foster Children Driving
- Iowa's Blue Print for Permanency
- Iowa Map of HHS Service Area Breakdown
- Medication Management Booklet
- Physical Record Form(470-0580)
- Report of Suspected Child Abuse Form(470-0665)
- Resource Family Tip Sheet on Workers and Their Roles
- Vehicle & Home Insurance & Liability
HHS Foster Family Maintenance Rates
The following chart is a payment schedule of possible monthly payments including basic maintenance and difficulty-of-care Levels 1, 2 & 3. A basic maintenance payment is the daily reimbursement paid to foster parents for providing basic family foster care. The basic rate is intended to reimburse the foster family for food, clothing, shelter, school expenses, grooming, ordinary transportation, recreation, and transportation appropriate for the child's age.
Effective July 1, 2013:
| Effective July 1, 2013: Age of Child | Basic Daily Rate | Basic + Level 1 ($4.81) | Basic + Level 2 ($9.62) | Basic + Level 3 ($14.44) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5 years | $16.78 | $21.59 | $26.40 | $31.22 |
| 6-11 years | $17.45 | $22.26 | $27.07 | $31.89 |
| 12-15 years | $19.10 | $23.91 | $28.72 | $33.54 |
| 16-20 years | $19.35 | $24.16 | $28.97 | $33.79 |
HHS Foster Care Maintenance & Adoption Subsidy Payment Schedule
(July 2023 – June 2024 payment schedule)
Clothing Closets that Serve Foster Families
Accepting a Foster Placement
Transitioning a Child into Your Home
Foster Care Youth Rights & Responsibilities
Top 10 Things Foster Parents Can Do to Help Transition a Foster Child into Your Home
Checklist of Things to Discuss When a Foster Child Enters Your Home
Creating a Welcome Book
Questions Kids Want Answers for When Entering Foster Care
Resource Family Profile Form (Family Introduction Form)
All About Me Form (Foster Child Introduction Form)
Celebrate Me Form (All About the Foster Child)
Court Hearings
Foster Parents and the Courts booklet
Going to Court - A Guide for Iowa's Young Children
Iowa Handbook on Juvenile Courts for Parents
Participating in Juvenile Court Hearings - Iowa Foster Parent Handbook
What Do Judges Want? article - by Judge Constance Cohen, 5th District
CIP Child Court Report Form
CIP Foster Parent Court Report Form
Iowa Children's Justice - Newsletters
Insurance
Support for Foster Youth
Children's Books
Crisis / Referral Help Phone Numbers
Publications for Foster Parents
Foster Parents and the Courts - A Guide for Foster Parents on Being an Effective Advocate in Court for Children in Foster Care
Confidetiality: A Guide for Foster Parents
Resource Parents Partnering with Birth Parent to Benefit Children
Raising Relative's Children
Completing the Circle - Uncovering, Discovering & Creating Connections for Your Foster and Adoptive Children
Transracial Parenting in Foster Care and Adoption
The Child Abuse Assessment
IFAPA Lifebook Pages
IFAPA Newsletters
View other IFAPA Publications
Education
Transitioning Youth to Adulthood
For a list of resources to assist youth aging out of the foster care system, check out our webpage Transitioning Youth to Adulthood .
National Foster Care Links
National Foster Parent Association - www.nfpainc.org
Child Welfare Information Gateway - https://www.childwelfare.gov/outofhome/foster_care/
Casey Family Programs - www.casey.org
Kids Are Waiting: Fix Foster Care Now - www.kidsarewaiting.org
National Foster Care Month (May) - www.fostercaremonth.org
Annie E. Casey Foundation - www.aecf.org
Child Welfare League of America - www.cwla.org
National CASA Association - www.nationalcasa.org