Free Resources for Providers

Greater Des Moines Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program 

The CAP program is a personal safety education program for schools. It uses a three-pronged approach to prevent child assault and maltreatment by presenting workshops for school staff, parents, and elementary school children. The program approaches prevention from a perspective of human dignity, mutual respec,t and basic human rights. Everyone has the right to be safe, strong and free. 

If you represent an elementary school in the greater Des Moines metro area and are interested in having the CAP Program visit your school, Contact Janelle Ballhagen at (515) 241-6703 or janelle.ballhagen@unitypoint.org. 

Children's Workshop: This empowering approach to prevention explains that when another person tries to take away our rights to be safe, strong, and free - there are problems. Through interactive role-play, we demonstrate what the problems might look like. 

The role plays include situations such as: 

• Bullying (peer to peer assault) 
• Abduction (assault by a stranger) 
• Sexual Abuse (assault by a known person) 

Staff education and parent education are approximately one-hour sessions done at the school before the children's workshop. The children's workshop takes place in the classroom and is done by a team of three trained facilitators. The children's workshop is approximately 50-60 minutes in the classroom and about 30 minutes of review time after the classroom presentations. 

Safety Concepts Presented 

Overview of the CAP program for school staff: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/7772042414075671043

Overview of the CAP program for parents/caregivers: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/2056896421600102659

AC4C (Alliance of Coalitions for Change) is a collection of coalitions that work to provide substance abuse prevention, mental health strategies & provide resources to communities.

The mission of the Brain Injury Association of Iowa is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, advocacy, education, research, and support.

Resource Library

Our Resource Library is designed to provide you with a comprehensive collection of materials and tools tailored to support survivors, caregivers, and professionals.

Brain Injury Resource Facilitation

Brain Injury Resource Facilitation is a fee-free service offered by the Brain Injury Association of Iowa to help people with brain injury and their families, caregivers, and community navigate medical and general life challenges after a brain injury.

We offer support in coping with the issues of living with brain injury and transitioning back to work and the community, and we help connect individuals and families with the services and supports they may need. Support is provided in a variety of forms.

Support Groups

Our support groups are where individuals can connect, share experiences, and find encouragement. Together, we provide understanding, resources, and community to help one another navigate challenges and celebrate successes. All support groups meet in person or virtually.

Iowa Brain Injury Resource Network

We strive to continually expand Iowa’s capacity to serve individuals and families experiencing brain injury, and to increase the number of access points where people can get consistent, reliable information and referrals to get the assistance or care they need. IBIRN member sites receive monthly communication about BIAIA services and supports, updated resources, training opportunities, and the opportunity to participate in our Brain Injury Tote Bag Program

Animal-assisted therapy partnering with first responders and with community outreach efforts.

• Network of dentists. 
• Foundation Funding- Oral Health Fund and Wellness Community Fund, Smile Grants, Rethink Your Drink, Toothbrush donations
• Dental Education Loan Repayment Program
• Dental Education 

The Healthy Habit All-Stars program has been designed to assist in educating children about public health topics. Animated videos are used to communicate complex health information to children in an age-appropriate manner. 

Iowa Aces 360 provides research, best practices, and networking for you to become an informed champion for healing and preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences.

• Advocacy – advancing the cause of child abuse prevention among legislators, administrators and professionals.
• Awareness – informing the public about the effects of child abuse and methods to prevent it.
• Assistance – offering organizational development, program guidance and grant management to local partners.

At Iowa ACEs 360, we work collaboratively with leaders, organizations, and community members to advocate for policies that strengthen support for families. 

CHPcommunity is a local nonprofit organization managing the Iowa Community HUB that is made up of a network of partners coming together to support evidence-based health promotion programs and services in Iowa.

Keywords: Fall Prevention Program, A Matter of Balance, Stepping ON, Tai Chi for Arthritis, and Falls Prevention. HARP, Better Choices, Better Health, Cancer Education, Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Management, 5-2-1-0, Healthy LifeStars

Iowa Compass connects older adults, people with disabilities and complex health-related needs of all ages, and caregivers to services and supports in their communities throughout Iowa.

We are a group of heroes who donate our time and resources for children fighting medical battles.

Keywords: scholarships, careers, student, loan repayment, workforce, jobs, recruitment, doctor, dentist, nurse, healthcare

Programs, resources, & educational opportunities: Agriculture & Natural Resources, Business & Industry, Communities, Continuing Education, Families, & 4H & Youth Development. 

Food and family classes and childcare training. Garden Academy, Gardening. 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardener, Growing Together Iowa mini-grants, Plant Help, Lawn, Yard, Flowers, Edibles, Houseplants, soils, trees, 

Human Sciences: Aging, Early Childhood Education, Finance, Food Safety Classes such as ServSafe Health and Wellbeing, Nutrition, Parenting, Hotlines about family and home, Mental Health First Aid classes, disaster recovery assistance, 

Training or CEU

AnswerLine Toll-free: 800-262-3804
Local: 515-296-5883

• Questions relating to home and family
• Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
• TTD (Telecommunications Device for Deaf Persons) available by calling 800-735-2942
• Multiple language interpretation available
• Email questions to answer@iastate.edu
• Available to Iowa residents only

Iowa Concern 800-447-1985

• Financial questions, legal education, stress counseling, crisis/disaster resources and referral
• Phones are answered all hours, all days
• TTD (Telecommunications Device for Deaf Persons) available by calling 800-735-2942
• Multiple language interpretation available

Iowa’s 1st Five Healthy Mental Development Initiative builds partnerships between physician practices and public service providers to enhance high-quality well-child care. 1st Five promotes the use of standardized developmental screening tools that support healthy mental development for young children.

By using a standardized tool for all children, providers are able to identify children at-risk for developmental concerns, and link those children and their families with community-based resources to improve access to appropriate follow-up care. Primary care providers play a key role in supporting optimal healthy mental development in children. Therefore, primary care providers can play a critical role in providing developmental screenings.

Mid Iowa Community Action (MICA) serves Jasper County. 

MICA Services in Jasper County include: 

• Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health
• I-Smile (Dental screenings in schools)
• WIC clinics in Newton & Colfax
• 1st Five (for providers)
• FaDSS/Family Development
•  Child Care Nurse Consultant- Poweshiek/Jasper      Iowa HHS
  • Tara Berstler, RN, 641-328-3237
• Housing Weatherization

Newton Capstone BH, Lower Level, 1st Ave

1st Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2nd Monday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2nd Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
2nd Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
3rd Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Howard St. Christian Church in Colfax

1st Wednesday of every month
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m  

Keyword search: pregnant, baby, infant, breastfeeding, breastmilk, new mom, postpartum, food, WIC, WIC coupons, formula, milk

This program allows Iowa residents to receive a free envelope of sexual wellness supplies delivered discreetly to their door, up to twice per 30 days. If you would like to receive a second envelope, please fill out the form twice. Please note that all addresses are subject to verification and unverifiable addresses will not receive a shipment.

Key words: Condoms, birth control, prevention, sexual health

Unite Iowa is a coordinated care network consisting of healthcare, government, nonprofit, and other organizations. These network partners use Unite Us’ software to securely identify, deliver, and pay for services that address the needs of individuals within their communities.

The network is supported by Unite Us team members focused on customer and community engagement, network health and optimization, and user support.

Health care providers, community agencies, and other professionals that help Iowans with intellectual and developmental disabilities are now supported by a free telehealth program hosted by the University of Iowa. 

Through a Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) structure, these professionals can receive expert guidance in a collaborative “all teach, all learn” environment. Anyone who provides support or services to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) can share skills and best practices related to the treatment of these individuals.