IFAPA Publications
IFAPA publishes a variety of resource materials for foster, adoptive and kinship parents to assist them in understanding the Iowa Department of Human Services' system, as well as to sharpen their parenting skills. Below is a list of FREE publications that can be downloaded/printed on your computer or can be mailed to you by completing the following request form: Request an IFAPA Publication
Adoption Basics for Educators - How Adoption Impacts Children and How Educators Can Help
This booklet was developed to provide educators with basic information about adoption-related issues and the effect these issues might have on students, as well as suggestions on how educators can assist and advocate for students who are adopted.
The Child Abuse Assessment - A Guide for Foster Parents
A step-by-step guide for foster parents who have had an abuse allegation made against them. This easy-to-ready booklet explains the abuse assessment process, defines child protective terms, clarifies the foster parents' legal rights, and addresses the emotional issues families face during an assessment.
Completing the Circle - Uncovering, Discovering & Creating Connections for Your Foster & Adoptive Children
This guidebook was created to help foster & adoptive parents identify, locate, and engage as many caring individuals as possible - biological and other -- to support the child in your care over his or her lifetime.
Confidentiality - A Guide for Foster Parents
This publication explains the complicated issue of confidentiality in a easy-to-understand, quick-read format. It will guide you through sticky issues, such as sharing information with teachers, daycare personnel, and medical professionals. Find definite answers to how and what to say to family, friends, and neighbors about your foster son or daughter. Finally, a written guide on how to manage this important but tricky issue that together workers, attorneys, and families developed.
PLEASE NOTE: Internet & Confidentiality Rules: DHS asked IFAPA to inform foster parents who use personal internet sites such as Facebook and MySpace that they must never include the names or any personal information about foster children in information they post, nor should they ever post a photo of a foster child on any internet site. Such actions would be a violation of confidentiality standards. DHS would prefer that foster parents not identify themselves as foster parents on such sites.
eNewsletters - IFAPA Monthly Electronic Newsletter
IFAPA produces a monthly electronic newsletter that is sent out via e-mail. Past issues of this newsletter are available under the News section of our website.
Fact Sheet about IFAPA Programs
This informational sheet contains information about the programs and support that IFAPA offers to foster, adoptive and kinship parents.
Foster Parents and the Courts
A Guide for Foster Parents on Being an Effective Advocate in Court for Foster Children. This handbook was written to help you understand who the people are that are involved in the legal proceedings, what is likely to occur in court, and how you can be most effective in advocating for the best interests of your foster child.
Journals for Foster Parents (Weekly / Daily)
It is important for foster parents to keep a well-documented journal for each foster child. Keeping a journal helps the foster parent report information to DHS and to the courts. Record what happened to the foster child each day. Journal examples should include school progress/issues, reports on family visits, positive and/or negative behaviors, medical concerns, medical or counseling appointments, and any allegations made by the foster child. Print off as many copies as needed.
VIEW DAILY JOURNAL
VIEW WEEKLY JOURNAL
Kinship Caretakers - How to Navigate Iowa's Child Welfare System - NEW!
This guidebook was created to help Iowa kinship caretakers navigate the DHS and Juvenile Court systems when they are caring for a relative’s child. The booklet includes information on the different types of care a kinship caretaker can provide, financial assistance programs, community resources, and questions to ask DHS when considering a kinship placement.
Legislative Agenda - 2009
By telling their stories to legislators and developing personal relationships with public officials, Iowa's foster and adoptive parents are improving the child welfare and child protective system. The agenda defines the issues foster and adoptive parent members of IFAPA have identified and prioritized as important to children.
Lifebook Pages
IFAPA has created over 60 lifebook pages that families can print off for free. These free pages can be found under the Resources section of our website.
Navigating Iowa's Adoption Subsidy Program
This handbook is intended to be a resource to parents as they consider an adoptive placement and a reference guide after placement.
News & Views - IFAPA Bi-Monthly Newsletter
View Newsletters
IFAPA produces a newsletter every other month. The last six issues of News and Views are available under the News section of our website.
Pre-Placement Questionnaire for Foster Parents
This form lists questions foster parents should ask before agreeing to the placement of a child in their home. These questions will help you determine if this placement will be a good fit for your family and your parenting abilities.
Raising Relatives' Children
The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA) seeks to support kinship caregivers in a variety of ways. IFAPA created this packet of information for kinship families and those that serve them. Kinship caregivers are grandfathers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, older siblings and even great-grandparents.
Resource Parents Partnering with Birth Parents to Benefit Children - NEW!
Why did you become a resource parent? Most people would answer this question by saying they want to help children and families, or they want to make a difference in a child’s life. One way you can have a big impact on a child’s life is by working with the birth parents to rebuild the family. There are enormous benefits for children and families when resource families and birth families work together. The information in this booklet will help resource parents gain a better understanding of the importance of positive connections with birth parents and ways resource parents can contribute to the success of these partnerships.
Transracial Parenting in Foster Care and Adoption: Strengthening Your Bicultural Family
This guidebook was created to help parents and children in transracial homes learn how to thrive in and celebrate their bicultural family; and for children to gain a strong sense of racial identity and cultural connections.
The Welcome Book
A Welcome Book is intended to help a child transition to a new home, whether they are being placed in a new foster home or with an adoptive family they have not met. Welcome Books are helpful for children of all ages. Prior to placement, a Welcome Book can be sent to the child to read and review. Welcome Books help the child learn more about the family they are going to be placed with and what their surroundings will look like. This will help ease a child's fears and help with their transition. IFAPA created these FREE pages to help families make their own book. Each page can be downloaded and printed separately.
Article about Creating a Welcome Book:
Introducing the Welcome Book, A New Transition Tool by Beth O'Malley
Posted with permission from Fostering Families Today, January / February 2007 Issue
FREE WELCOME BOOK PAGES:
Hello My Name Is (One-parent introduction page with photo)
Hello Our Names Are (Two-parent introduction page with photo)
Kids That Live Here (Introduce your children and foster children with photos)
Family Traditions and Celebrations
