Early Childhood and/or Parenting Resources

• Childcare Assistance: Helps pay for childcare while parents or caretakers work, attend school, look for employment or are unable to care for children due to medical reasons.
• Families First: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) program to help families stay together and prevent the need for foster care.
• Parent Partners: An innovative social work practice. It is unique because it celebrates individuals that have overcome obstacles through change, recovery, and accountability. Parent Partners are advocates for families. They also hold families accountable by through their case plan goals.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): An entitlement program that provides monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food, they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels.

A 12-week comprehensive class offering dads the tools, strategies, and exercises for all fathers and at any stage of fatherhood. 

A world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.

Key terms: autism, spectrum, 

Breastfeeding support: one-on-one extensive breastfeeding support,a postpartum home visit to help troubleshoot breastfeeding issues or for a baby weight check. This free service is available to families who reside in Poweshiek, Jasper, and Marshall counties. Call (641) 236-2385 to schedule an appointment at Public Health, have a phone consultation or learn more information

Postpartum Support Group: A free group focused on caregivers and their infant(s) newborn to one year of age, Baby weight checks, breast and bottle feeding guidance, professional and peer support, come and go setting, light refreshments provided. Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month in the Tomasek Conference Room from 5-6:30 PM. For information call 641-236-2905.

Immunizations: VFC, VFA, private pay, flu shots, COVID, TB skin test. Call for an appointment. 

Medical Loan Equipment Closet call for more information. They are not a DME, only a loan closet. 

Community Care Clinic: Free Clinics of Iowa 

Foot Care Clinic: Call for more information.

Medicare Planning: SHIIP: Call 641-236-2588 to schedule an appointment. 

keywords: breastfeeding, breastfed, milk, pregnancy, new mom, baby, infant, weight check, formula, nurse

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

Food and family classes and childcare training. Gardening. 4H, 

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

WIC: Pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, infant, children up to age 5. 

WIC Times and locations:

Newton Salvation Army

• 1st Monday of every month
  9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• 2nd Tuesday of every month
  10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
• 2nd Monday and Wednesday of every month
  8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Howard St. Christian Church in Colfax

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

Keywords: pregnant, breastfeeding, breastfed, milk, WIC, postpartum, baby, infant

MICA Food Pantry

MICA runs three emergency food pantries located in Hardin, Story, and Poweshiek counties.

What is the emergency food pantry?

The emergency food pantry is designed to help you put food on the table if you are struggling. We also have hygiene and cleaning products in most of our food pantries, including diapers, soap, shampoo and conditioner, feminine hygiene products, and other essentials. All of our food pantries allow you to make a choice among several different options to help you select items you will be able to use and accommodate dietary restrictions. A typical food package feeds a family for two to three days, but we also may have other goods donated from bakeries and grocery stores that are available to take for anyone in need.

Do I qualify for the emergency food pantry?

The food pantry is designed for families who are earning under $53,000 for a family of four. You are welcome to visit the food pantry if you are unable to provide food for your family.

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

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa fulfills its mission by leading child abuse prevention efforts in Iowa through:

• 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.

Child abuse is preventable. Prevent Child Abuse Iowa recognizes it will take Iowans working together to ensure children are raised in safe, nurturing environments. That’s why we proudly lead and inspire others to create a state free from child abuse.

This is an 8-week class aimed at helping moms with the challenges of motherhood via improved communication skills, co- parenting, and understanding the father’s role in parenting. The class is sponsored by Children and Families of IA and facilitated by DH517 volunteers.

The Young Women’s Resource Center provides a broad range of perinatal services for pregnant and parenting young women through the age of 24. At a time when young women can feel most alone or in need of help, the Young Women’s Resource Center can provide comfort and stability through its programs, resources, and groups. These programs are designed to equip the young mom or expecting mom with the skills to address the challenges of parenting so they can focus on its joys.

The Young Women’s Resource Center is not a medical provider, and we do not offer medical services. The YWRC is a private, independent organization and is not affiliated with any other organizations.