Resources

Helpful Resources for Foster Parents

There are a lot of great resources available in Iowa and nationally for foster families. We want to be your one-stop location to find services that will help you during your foster care journey. If you know of a service we should have listed for foster parents, please contact us.

Service Area	Category	Title	Website Link	Notes
Statewide	Activities/Education	AMP Iowa	https://www.weareampiowa.com/resources	Dream Seed, Foster Funds and Kinship Funds available for activities, strengthening a skill, investing in equipment and more!
Statewide	Programs for Teens	AMP Iowa	https://www.weareampiowa.com/	Sometimes you just need a day with your friends. AMP has many activities throughout the year for that reason exactly. We take trips to the Zoo, we head to the farm to interact with animals, we go see movies� the options are endless!
Statewide	Adoption Support	Beauty Amidst the Ashes	https://beautyamidsttheashes.com/our-work/adoption-grants/	Apply online for a grant
Western	Tangible Items	Beauty Amidst the Ashes	https://beautyamidsttheashes.com/first-night-bags/	Give the gift of hope. Each first night bag is thoughtfully packed to provide comfort, dignity and a sense of belonging to children entering foster care.
Statewide	Training	Beauty Amidst the Ashes - Hope Conference	https://beautyamidsttheashes.com/hope-conference/	Adoption is a faith journey for many couples that are seeking God�s plan for building their families. The�HOPE Conference�is making a difference in the lives of these families. Save the Date: Nov 6 and 7, 2026
Statewide	Activities/Education	Can Play	https://canplayadapted.org/resources/adapted-programs-licensed-locations/	Youth sports access
Northern	Tangible Items	Cedar Valley Angels	https://www.cedarvalleyangels.org/volunteer	Love Boxes - Sign up online to refer a child
Statewide	Activities/Education	College Educated	https://collegeeducated.com/foster-youth-college-resources/	Extensive list of resources for foster youth in hopes that understanding and knowledge will help more foster youth achieve their dream of a higher education
Des Moines	Activities/Education	Colton's Green Socks Foundation	https://www.coltonsgreensocksfoundation.com/scholarships	Any child who can use a little helping hand to take part in a learning opportunity in a dance, music, theater, or sports activity can submit a request to be considered for a Green Socks Foundation Scholarship.
Statewide	Activities/Education	Comfort Cases Scholarship	https://www.comfortcases.org	Comfort Cases awards scholarships to support youth in foster care attending college or trade school.
Cedar Rapids	Tangible Items	Extending Grace	https://graceb3.org/extending-grace/	Grocery delivery for all new foster placements, complete their online form
Cedar Rapids	Clothing Closet	Extending Grace	https://graceb3.org/extending-grace/	When you welcome a new child into your home, we will provide a bag of clothing; you can get one either from your Four Oaks worker or by contacting us directly. The bags contain about a week�s worth of clothing.
Cedar Rapids	Tangible Items	Families Helping Families - Birthday	https://familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/celebrate/	Each child will receive one gift, a birthday card, and party decorations. Your child has a variety of options to choose from for their birthday toys
Eastern	Clothing Closet	Families Helping Families - Goodwill	https://familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/occc/
Cedar Rapids	Tangible Items	Families Helping Families - Haircuts	https://familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/haircuts-for-kids/	Two complimentary haircuts a year � once at the Back to School Rally and once at another point in the school year
Cedar Rapids	Tangible Items	Families Helping Families - Senior Pictures	https://familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/senior-celebration/	The graduate will receive a congratulations card and gift cards for local establishments.
Statewide	Tangible Items	Families Helping Families - Shoe Voucher	https://familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/shoe-voucher-program/	Children in foster care are qualified for the Shoe Voucher program. $50 for kids 4-7 years of age and $75 for kids 8-18 years of age
Statewide	Activities/Education	Families Helping Families of Iowa - Activity Scholarship	https://familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/spread-your-wings-activity-scholarships/	The program funds a range of activities for school-aged children including, but not limited to art lessons, music programs and lessons, sports � including gymnastics, martial arts, soccer, football, basketball, etc., summer camps, and other children�s interests
Cedar Rapids	Clothing Closet	Families Helping Families of Iowa - Clothing Closet	https://familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/clothing-closet/	Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 11am and 12pm-3pm (office is closed for lunch between 11am-12pm) and Sundays, 1pm to 3pm.
Statewide	Adoption Support	Families Rising	https://wearefamiliesrising.org/adoption-assistance/iowa-adoption-assistance-program/
Des Moines	Support Group	Foster SQUAD	https://www.fostersquad.org/events	2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30-8:00 PM. Childcare provided
Des Moines	Training	Foster SQUAD	https://www.fostersquad.org/events	Virtual trainings held throughout the year to meet foster licensing renewal requirements
Eastern	Tangible Items	Foster SQUAD - Care Kits	https://www.fostersquad.org/foster-care-kits	Care Kits are delivered by HHS workers when a new placement occurs (Louisa, Henry, Des Moines, and Lee Counties)
Des Moines	Tangible Items	Foster SQUAD - Care Kits	https://www.fostersquad.org/foster-care-kits	Care Kits are delivered by Four Oaks workers when a new placement occurs
Western	Tangible Items	Foster SQUAD - Care Kits	https://www.fostersquad.org/foster-care-kits	Care Kits are delivered by Four Oaks workers when a new placement occurs (Lyon, Osceloa, Dickinson, Emmett, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Woodbury, Monona, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Ringgold, Decatur, and Wayne Counties)
Northern	Tangible Items	Foster SQUAD - Care Kits	https://www.fostersquad.org/foster-care-kits	Care Kits are delivered by Four Oaks workers when a new placement occurs ( Boone, Story and Dallas)
Des Moines	Tangible Items	Foster SQUAD - eQuip Hub	https://www.fostersquad.org/equiphub	eQuip Hub is available to foster and kinship families in Boone, Story, Marshall, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Madison, Warren and Marion Counties. Find a marketplace of furniture available from community donations. Request items that are not posted.
Northern	Tangible Items	Foster The Family - Cozy Cases	https://fosterthefamilyia.org/services/	A suitcase filled with personal items they can call their own. Each case includes a book, personal care items, and comfort kits to ease their transition into a new home. Visit website to request a case.
Northern	Tangible Items	Foster The Family - Large Item Loans	https://fosterthefamilyia.org/services/	Foster families have to access crucial necessities such as car seats, bikes, strollers, and more with ease.
Eastern	Support Group	Fostering Crossroads	https://www.fosteringcrossroads.com/support-group	Support group in the Quad Cities
Statewide	Support Group	Four Oaks	https://iowafosterandadoption.org/renewal/	Support groups are available throughout Iowa
Statewide	Adoption Support	Four Oaks	https://iowafosterandadoption.org/i-already-adopted/
Western	Training	Four Oaks	https://iowafosterandadoption.org/western-iowa-training/
Northern	Training	Four Oaks	https://iowafosterandadoption.org/northern-iowa-training-calendar/
Cedar Rapids	Training	Four Oaks	https://iowafosterandadoption.org/cedar-rapids-training-calendar/
Eastern	Training	Four Oaks	https://iowafosterandadoption.org/eastern-iowa-training-calendar/
Des Moines	Training	Four Oaks	https://iowafosterandadoption.org/des-moines-training-calendar/
Des Moines	Training	IFAPA	https://www.ifapa.org/training/ifapa-trainings/current-training-schedule	Training resources
Statewide	Activities/Education	IFAPA	https://www.ifapa.org/resources/additional-resources-for-foster-parents/friends-of-children-in-foster-care-program	The Friends of Children in Foster Care Program helps children in foster care (Age 13 and younger) to receive funds in order to participate in extra-curricular activities, such as obtaining music instruments, sports registration or equipment, gymnastics or dance lessons, swimming lessons or summer camp.
Statewide	Programs for Teens	Iowa Aftercare
Statewide	Adoption Support	Iowans for Adoption	https://www.iowansforadoption.org/
Northern	Clothing Closet	Kaden's Closet	http://www.kadenskloset.com/waterloo.html	Open 1st Wednesday of the month from 1pm-3pm and on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 4:30pm-6:30pm, 605 W 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50702
Western	Clothing Closet	Kaden's Closet	http://www.kadenskloset.com/sheldon.html	Open to all Foster and Adoptive Families the 2nd Monday of the Month 4-7pm ?or by Scheduled Appointment?, 811 5th Ave., Sheldon, IA 501201
Des Moines	Clothing Closet	Kaden's Closet	http://www.kadenskloset.com/pella.html	Open by scheduled appointment, 605 Broadway�St., Pella, IA 50219
Northern	Clothing Closet	Kaden's Closet	http://www.kadenskloset.com/cedarfalls.html	Open by scheduled appointment, 9204 University Ave., Cedar Falls, IA �50613
Western	Clothing Closet	Kaden's Closet	http://www.kadenskloset.com/ojkoboji.html	Open by scheduled appointment, 1010 Julia St., Okoboji, IA 51355
Northern	Clothing Closet	Kaden's Closet	http://www.kadenskloset.com/humboldt.html	Open by scheduled appointment, 107 N 4th St., Humboldt, IA 50548
Western	Support Group	Kings & Queens Local	https://www.kqlocal.org/receive-support	3rd Thursday of the month, Sept-April
Eastern	Programs for Teens	Launch Pad Housing	https://www.launchpadhousing.org	Housing support
Statewide	Tangible Items	Mama Sing My Song	https://www.mamasingmysong.com	Keepsake gifts
Eastern	Clothing Closet	Minnie's Maison	https://www.clothingcenterqca.org/	Open Wednesdays & Saturdays, from 10 AM - 12 PM
Eastern	Tangible Items	My GEAR Outreach - Overnight Bags	https://mygearoutreach.org/	First Over Night Bags include new pajamas, socks, underwear,� pillow, pillow case, blanket, Bible, crayons, pens, pencils, journals, coloring books, age appropriate toys/activities and stuffed animal. (Clinton, Jackson, Scott & Dubuque Counties)
Des Moines	Programs for Teens	Opportunity Passport	https://www.dmacc.edu/ekdc/programs.html	Financial Capability Training and Coaching along with a matched savings account
Western	Training	Seasons Center	https://seasonscenter.org/trainings-and-education.php	Behavioral health services
Western	Training	Setting Anchors	https://www.setting-anchors.com/general-5
Western	Support Group	Setting Anchors	https://www.setting-anchors.com/projects-7	Monthly support group with childcare provided. Contact Setting Anchors for details
Western	Clothing Closet	Setting Anchors	https://www.setting-anchors.com/projects-7	Contact Setting Anchors to schedule an appointment
Northern	Clothing Closet	Side Room Foster Closet	https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555574910678
Des Moines	Clothing Closet	Soteria Church Closet	https://soteriadsm.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1075141	Foster closet available by appointment
Des Moines	Clothing Closet	The Ankeny Klothing Exchange (T.A.K.E.)	https://www.takeankeny.org	Take is open for shopping Mon thru Fri + 2nd Sat \| 9:30-11:30 AM
Cedar Rapids	Clothing Closet	The Closet	https://www.facebook.com/thecareclosetatgateway/
Des Moines	Clothing Closet	Zion Lutheran Church Clothing Closet	https://ziondsm.com/clothing-closet	Tuesday and Wednesday 10 AM - 12 PM, The Clothes Closet is a ministry of Zion Lutheran Church dedicated to serving our neighbors with compassion and dignity. We offer free clothing, shoes, and furniture to anyone in need�no questions asked. Whether you're going through a difficult season, settling into a new home, or simply in need of support, you are welcome here.