Advocacy/Outreach/Referral

Accredited Drug Testing Inc (ADT) provides DNA testing Newton using certified DNA collection specialists and nationally accredited AABB Laboratories for all DNA testing Newton needs which will insure the highest accuracy for DNA testing Newton results. DNA testing Newton centers are usually located within minutes of your home or office and the entire process to schedule and conduct a DNA test is Fast, Easy and Confidential.

To schedule a DNA testing Newton location call (800) 221-4291.

Adoption records: Birth records

Des Moines Child Support Services

• A parent or the person caring for a child(ren) can apply for child support services. 
• Keyword: Child Support, IHHS

Mental Health Services, Family-Centered Services. Programs include 24/7 Dads, Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CCPC), and DHS program Parent Partners.

Court Appointed Special Advocates are ordinary people who care about children. They volunteer their time to support and advocate for children who currently have a case in the Child Welfare System.

CASA Volunteers amplify the voices of children who are currently in the Child Welfare System. You'll learn your role through comprehensive training, and then you'll be assigned your own case. A coach and a CASA coordinator will be there to support you along the way as you advocate in court for your assigned children.

Provide comprehensive sexual assault services, violent crime services, prevention programming, and emergency housing for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and violent crimes for the counties of Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, & Wayne.

• 844-673-5499 (Emergency Housing Crisis line) 
• 800-270-1620 (Sexual Assault Crisis Line)
   

If you suspect elder abuse in Iowa, you can report it to Dependent Adult Protective Services at (800) 362-2178, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also call 911 if someone is in immediate danger. 

If you suspect elder or dependent adult abuse, report it immediately to Dependent Adult Protective Services.

1-800-362-2178 (toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.) 

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If you want to request a welfare check, call local law enforcement.

Reporting is confidential.

Dependent Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults:

• 65 and older
• or 18 and older with a disability, who are dependent and do not reside in long-term care facilities.

To report suspected abuse in a long-term care facility, contact the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Nursing Home and Home Health Complaint Hotline at 1-877-686-0027 or email hfd_complaint@dia.iowa.gov.

If you have concerns about your quality of care, quality of life or rights as a resident/tenant, or if you have concerns on behalf of your loved one who is living in one of Iowa's long-term care facilities, contact the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-866-236-1430.

For a coordinated entry point to Iowa’s information and referral resources regarding long-term independent living, contact Lifelong Links online or call 1-866-468-7887.

Know the Signs of Elder Abuse

Some adults may be at higher risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Types of elder abuse include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse or exploitation
• Neglect
• Self-Neglect

Is a group of organizations across the state who work together to support youth who have aged out of foster care or other out-of-home placement. We can help if you are 18,19 or 20 years old and have left foster care placement at age 18 or older. Marshalltown Youth and Shelter Services covers Poweshiek, Tama, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy counties.

South Central Iowa

Crisis Intervention Services

Office line: (641) 673-0336

Helpline: (800) 270-1620 

Go to the website

Services: Domestic Violence, Homicide and Other Violent Crimes, Sexual Assault, Shelter

Counties served: Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, and Wayne. 

Provides support to the following programs: Iowa Cochlear Implant Center, Iowa Department for the Blind, Iowa Kidsight, Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Iowa Lions Hearing Aid Bank, Iowa School for the Deaf, Leader Dogs for the Blind, and Camp Courageous of Iowa.

WIC gives vouchers for formula, milk, and nutritious food supplies, and medical referrals for income-eligible pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children to five years of age. Clinics are run out of the MICA office in Marshalltown.

MICA is a private, non-profit organization serving children and families in central Iowa. Services include: Family Development Center, food pantry, and Head Start.

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 respect, 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) 

The role plays are each done two times. In the first role-play, the situation is not resolved. Important safety skills are introduced or reviewed for each situation. In the second role play, the situation is resolved successfully. 

There is one final role play starring the classroom teacher. This role play shows what it might be like to talk about a problem with a trusted adult. After the children's workshop is review time in which kids can talk with a facilitator one-on-one. Review time participation is a choice made by the kids. It is always offered, but they don't have to do it. 

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

Definition of basic human rights:  

• Turning to a peer for support 
• Safe or trusted adults 
• Definition of a stranger 
• Self-protection skills (kicking, yelling, elbowing) 
• Telling vs. tattling 
• When assault happens, it is important to tell a safe adult and keep telling until someone listens 
• Tricks used by unsafe adults or peers 
• When assault happens to a child it is NEVER the child's fault 
• It is OK to say no to a grown-up or peer when they make us feel uncomfortable 

Overview for School Staff Overivew for Parents/Caregivers

Promotes an innovative change in social work practice that is unique because it not only celebrates individuals who have overcome obstacles through change, recovery, and accountability, but also uses their skills to mentor families who are currently navigating through Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as their children are in foster or kinship care. Parent Partners demonstrate advocacy and effective communication while holding families accountable in meeting their case plan goals.

Clothing and household items for foster families to equip them for foster children entering their home. We also provide meeting space for birth families who have children currently in the foster care system.

The following resources are free to anyone to view, download, and print.