Resources
for Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Families
Real organizations with real contact information.
Iowa resources first, then national. Start with what applies to your situation right now.
Iowa Connections
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA) Free membership, training, conferences, and resources for foster, adoptive, and kinship families across Iowa. ifapa.org · 800-277-8145
Iowa HHS — Foster Care & Adoption The state's official hub for licensing, placement, adoption assistance, and kinship care. hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/foster-care-adoption · 515-281-4209
Four Oaks Family Connections Iowa's main contractor for foster and adoption training, licensing, and support. iowafosterandadoption.org · foster-adopt@fouroaks.org
Children & Families of Iowa Statewide trauma-informed therapy, adoption services, and foster care support. cfiowa.org
Iowa Legal Aid Free legal help for low-income Iowans covering guardianship, custody, and family law. iowalegalaid.org · 800-532-1275
Your Life Iowa Free 24/7 crisis and mental health line covering mental health, substance use, and more. yourlifeiowa.org · 855-581-8111
Kinship & Guardianship
Iowa Subsidized Guardianship Program Financial assistance for relatives taking legal guardianship of a child in the Iowa foster care system. As of 2023 federal rule changes, kinship caregivers can now receive assistance equal to foster care payments. hhs.iowa.gov — search Subsidized Guardianship
Foster SQUAD Iowa Iowa nonprofit specifically serving foster and kinship families long term. fostersquad.org
Grandfamilies Guide National resource for grandparents and relatives raising children. Covers legal status, financial aid, TANF, SNAP, Social Security dependent benefits, and how to navigate the system without formal legal status. grandfamilies.org
Financial Assistance
Iowa HHS Benefits Portal Apply online for Medicaid, SNAP, child care assistance, and other state programs. One application covers multiple programs. hhs.iowa.gov/assistance-programs · 800-972-2017
Iowa Child Care Assistance (CCA) Helps income-eligible families pay for child care. Apply through Iowa Child Care Connect. Families of children with special needs may qualify at higher income levels. childcare.gov — search Iowa resources
Federal Adoption Tax Credit Most adoptions from foster care qualify as special needs for tax purposes, meaning you can claim the full credit even with no out-of-pocket expenses. Talk to a tax professional who understands adoption. adoptuskids.org — search adoptive parent support
Iowa Adoption Assistance Subsidy Monthly payments negotiated before finalization, based on the child's needs. Continues until age 18, or 21 for youth with a diagnosed disability. Get this in writing before you sign anything. Search "Families Rising Iowa Adoption Assistance" for a full overview
2-1-1 Iowa Free 24/7 helpline connecting Iowans to local food, housing, utility assistance, and mental health resources by county. If you don't know what's available near you, start here. Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211
Trauma & Mental Health
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) The most comprehensive national resource on childhood trauma — what it is, how it shows up, and evidence-based approaches to help. Includes resources specifically for foster and adoptive parents. nctsn.org
IFAPA — Trauma Informed Care Resources Iowa-specific trauma resources including guides on ACEs, parenting children who have experienced abuse, and supporting kids through transitions. Free. ifapa.org/resources/trauma-informed-care
ARCH National Respite Network Searchable locator for respite care — short-term relief care so you can take a break. One of the most underused resources available to foster and adoptive parents. archrespite.org
Your Life Iowa Free 24/7 Iowa crisis line. If you are not okay, this is the number to call. yourlifeiowa.org · 855-581-8111
National Organizations
National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) National voice for foster, kinship, and adoptive parents. Offers training, an annual conference, legislative advocacy, and peer connection. nfpaonline.org
AdoptUSKids National project supporting foster care and adoption. Resources for prospective and current foster and adoptive parents, plus a national registry of children waiting for families. adoptuskids.org
Child Welfare Information Gateway Federal resource library covering everything from trauma to education assistance to post-adoption support. Dense but thorough — good when you need to go deep on a specific topic. childwelfare.gov
Families Rising National organization supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families with advocacy, resources, and community. Particularly helpful for understanding adoption assistance and subsidy programs. familiesrising.org
Websites & Online Communities
Jamie Finn — Foster the Family (faith-based)
Foster/adoptive mom, author of Foster the Family and Filled, and founder of the Filled Retreat — the largest annual gathering of foster and adoptive moms in the country. Instagram and blog offer real-life encouragement and practical help.
instagram.com/fosterthefamilyblog
Laura — Foster Parent Partner
Social media creator and therapeutic foster parent sharing practical, trauma-informed advice for new and current foster parents. Active on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
instagram.com/foster.parenting
Whitney — Be the Village
Foster mom documenting her family's fostering journey on Instagram and YouTube — placement calls, real days, and what it's actually like.
instagram.com/bethevillage_insta
Jason Johnson (faith-based)
Foster/adoptive dad, speaker, and author of four books including Reframing Foster Care. Equips churches and families on foster care and adoption.
jasonjohnsonblog.com
Kristin & Mike Berry — Confessions of an Adoptive Parent (faith-based)
Adoptive parents of 8, authors of 7 books, hosts of the Honestly Adoption podcast. Write openly about trauma and special needs parenting.
Conferences & Event
Filled Retreat (faith-based)
Annual gathering for foster and adoptive moms, held in Pennsylvania each February. Founded by Jamie Finn. filledretreat.com
HOPE Conference — Beauty Amidst the Ashes (faith-based)
Two-day gospel-centered conference for foster, adoptive, and kinship families, held annually in Des Moines. Next one: Nov 6–7, 2026. beautyamidsttheashes.com/hope-conference
Books
Foster the Family (faith-based) — Jamie C. Finn
From-the-trenches encouragement for Christian foster parents, written by someone who's lived it — not a how-to, more a companion for the hard days.
Everyone Can Do Something (faith-based) — Jason Johnson
A field guide for churches and communities on how to rally around foster and adoptive families, even if they're not called to foster themselves.
Fostered: One Woman's Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family Through Foster Care (faith-based) — Tori Hope Petersen
Memoir from a former foster youth turned foster/adoptive/biological mom — twelve foster homes, her own story of the system failing and eventually working.
Caring for Kids from Hard Places — Jayne & David Schooler
Trauma-informed strategies for anyone caring for kids with a traumatic past — teachers, church volunteers, coaches, parents. Has a faith-informed lens but is written broadly for anyone in a caregiving role, not just foster parents — worth noting since it's a lighter touch than the others.
Redefining Normal — Justin & Alexis Black
Memoir from two former foster youth, now a married couple, on healing and building a life after trauma. Contains mentions of abuse and assault — worth a content note if you're listing it for parents to hand to teens.