Iowa HHS receives federal access and visitation grant moneys for services to facilitate access and visitation for noncustodial parents. Child Support Services currently contracts with community agencies that provide services designed to increase compliance with the child access provisions of court orders, including but not limited to providing neutral exchange sites, visitation counseling, and mediation services. Child Support Services also partners with community providers and resources to assist parents in overcoming barriers which may interfere with their ability to fulfill their obligations to their children. Through the Promoting Opportunities for Parents Program, Child Support Services can offer incentives to participants in partner provider programs that offer a project plan and parenting curriculum.
Fatherhood
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services receives federal funds for services to facilitate access and visitation for noncustodial parents. The federal access and visitation grant moneys are currently contracted with community agencies that provide services designed to increase compliance with the child access provisions of court orders, including but not limited to providing neutral exchange sites, visitation counseling, and mediation services.
Kids First Law Center
Serving Linn and Johnson Counties
July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
Services include: facilitating noncustodial parents' access to and visitation with their children by providing neutral exchanges, mediation, visitation counseling and assistance in writing parenting plans.
For more information, contact Jenny Schulz at (319) 365-5437.
Youth and Shelter Services, Inc.
Serving Boone, Story and Marshall Counties
July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
Services include: neutral drop-off and pick-up, mediation, visitation counseling and development of parenting plans. These services are designed to assist non-custodial parents in providing emotional support to their children by improving access and increasing visitation time.
For more information, contact Kristine Wilder at (641) 752-2300.
Iowa HHS developed the Promoting Opportunities for Parents Program (POPP) to assist parents in overcoming barriers which interfere with meeting their obligations to their children. Child Support Services (CSS) established this program to partner with community providers that offer parenting or fatherhood classes and employment resources. CSS can offer incentives for participation in approved community projects. Participants receive support and education to improve their emotional, physical, and financial responsibilities toward their children. Current community partners include:
The Parenting Program - YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Serving Polk County
October 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines offers The Parenting Program designed to help strengthen parental skills and involvement of parents with their children. On-going weekly classes are held for fatherhood, motherhood and co-parenting at the John R. Grubb YMCA. The classes offer support in such areas as health and nutrition, effective communication, being a positive role model, co-parenting, financial education, and community resources. The YMCA of Greater Des Moines also works with the Muscatine Community YMCA which offers parenting classes.
For more information, contact Ben Bell at (515) 246-0791 or ben.bell@dmymca.org.
Dads Group - Muscatine Community YMCA
Serving Muscatine County
October 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
The Muscatine Community YMCA offers the 24/7 Dad curriculum designed to equip fathers with the self-awareness, compassion and sense of responsibility that every good parent needs. The sessions include developing skills in caring for children, as well as building relationships with the mother of their children.
For more information contact The Muscatine Community YMCA.
Dads With a Purpose
Serving Polk County
October 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
Dads With a Purpose is a non-profit group providing parenting services. The group plans to use the Fatherhood Development/Young Mothers and Parenting Relationship Skills for Strong Families parenting curriculum developed by the National Partnership for Community Leadership. The goal is to assist parents in gaining the knowledge, attitudes, skills and aspirations for successful interactions with their children and families.
For more information, contact Keith Meeks at (515) 339-1210 or dwpdsm@gmail.com.
Children & Families of Iowa
Serving Jasper, Wapello, and Jefferson Counties (and all of southeastern Iowa)
October 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
Children & Families of Iowa (CFI) is a non-profit agency, providing services across the state of Iowa. Services focus on behavioral health for all ages, career readiness for teens and young adults, childcare services, domestic violence services, and supporting families and individuals involved with the Department of Health and Human Services and Juvenile Court. CFI uses the 24/7 Dad curriculum to promote responsible parenting and personal development.
For more information, contact Bradley Pothoven at (641) 455-4359 or bradleyp@cfiowa.org.
Evelyn K. Davis Center (EKDC) for Working Families
Serving Polk County
April 1, 2022 - June 30, 2024
EKDC offers parenting classes and holistic services to participating clients, including employment, and financial education. Four 7-week sessions are planned for 2022 - March 28-May 8; June 1-July 10; August 1-September 11; and October 2-November 13. The parenting classes are provided in a safe and confidential manner through a trauma-informed lens.
For more information, call (515) 697-7700 or email info@evelynkdaviscenter.org.
The National Center for Fathering (Fathers.com) is a nonprofit educational organization that provides research-based training and resources so that men are equipped to address their children's needs. Their goal is to reverse the cultural trend toward fatherlessness by helping every dad learn how to be a father.
National Fatherhood Initiative
The National Fatherhood Initiative is focused on providing the very best fatherhood resources and training to community-based, military, and corrections organizations across the county. NFI also continues to be a leading voice for responsible fatherhood, with a new emphasis on using social media and blogging to educate the public about the importance of involved, responsible, and committed fatherhood.
The Verywell Family has a wide variety of parenting topics. They provide access to information for parents, everything from developmental milestones to recipes for snacks. It also provides links to many other topics.