Resources
Helpful Resources for Foster Parents
There are a lot of great resources available in Polk County 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 through our contact form.
Four Oaks
Four Oaks is the licensing agent for the Department of Human Services. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, contact Four Oaks today!
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1-844-380-2485
Other Helpful Websites
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DHS Childcare Portal: Search for DHS approved childcare providers
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Families Helping Families: A nonprofit that provides a variety of services to kids in foster care.
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Bring Love: A nonprofit in Winterset that has a foster care clothing closet
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RetireGuide: A resource for grandparents raising their grandchildren through a kinship placement.
Local Events
Event Calendars from some of our Community Partners:
DMPS Virtual Campus: Providing ALL Iowa students the opportunity to get their high school diplomas online at Virtual Campus.
Please see informational flyer HERE.
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NAMI Parent Navigator Support Group: Sundays 3:30PM-5:00PM via Zoom
Please click HERE for informational flyer.
Drake Head Start has provided an informational video about their services.
Please watch this video here: drakeedu-my.sharepoint.com
Free virtual lactation support group every 1st Tuesday of each month.
Please see flyer HERE with more information!
ISU Extension and Outreach have compiled a comprehensive calendar for events by county and region that may be helpful in your service areas.
Click HERE to view the searchable calendar.
Stowe Heights youth and adult Portable Workshops:
Click for ADULT and YOUTH flyers with more information.
Jewels Academy has many great programs throughout the year.
Click here to view all of their great programs.
IowaWORKS new Veterans Portal.
Find more information here.
Program Serving Families and Children:
Resource Lists below can be downloaded from this webpage:
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Diaper Resource List
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Home, Inc. Services Flyer
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Felon Friendly Housing in Des Moines Area
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Financial Assistance Opportunities
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Food Pantries Servicing DMPS Families
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Food Pantry Network Locations
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Furniture and Bed Resources
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Reduced Rental Agencies and Apartments
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Shelters in Des Moines Area
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List of IDPH Licensed substance abuse agencies
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List of domestic violence trainings for perpetrators
Resource Hubs/Lists from Community Agencies
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Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa – Refugee Resources Guide
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211 Iowa/Nebraska – www.211iowa.org
For those families, care givers, and case managers who need assistance with Spanish language services, please utilize and share the Iowa Spanish Helpline.
This line is to help the Spanish-speaking community in the state of Iowa with the goal of providing information, resources and support for the Iowa Latino communities statewide.
Afterschool groups from the Young Women’s Resource Center.
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