| Aftercare |
Iowa Aftercare Services Network (IASN)
YSS is the lead agency for the IASN and has subcontracted with 11 other non-profit child welfare agencies to ensure that services reach youth in all 99 Iowa counties. YSS started the Iowa Aftercare Services Network in 2002 with funding from the Iowa Department of Human Services. The network addresses the needs of youth who have aged out of foster care. Services, support, and opportunities are designed to assist youth between the ages of 18 and 21 who have aged out of foster care meet the challenges of living independently.
What Services are Available
The Iowa Aftercare Services Network can help youth:
• Work on a plan for self-sufficiency
• Find and keep a safe place to live
• Pay for emergency and unexpected bills
• Find a doctor, dentist, or counselor
• Set and reach financial goals
• Go to college and/or get job training
• Find a job or career
• Connect with adult mentors or other community resources or opportunities
• Provide a stipend for an apartment, dormitory or continuation of foster home care for youth eligible for PAL
Who is eligible?
Iowa Aftercare Services Network can help if you are:
• A former foster care recipient who may have received services in a Family Foster Home, a Group Home or through a DHS Supported Independent Living arrangement.
• At least 18 years old but not yet 21 years old and left foster care at age 17 1/2 or older.
• Currently living in Iowa.
Where to call:
Youth & Shelter Services, Inc. provides Aftercare services in the following counties:
- YSS Jacobson Center, Ames: 515-233-3141: Story, Boone, Dallas, and Greene counties
- Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Des Moines: 515-288-7884: Polk county
- YSS Youth & Family Center of Hamilton County: 515-832-1061: Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Franklin, and Wright counties
- YSS of Marshall County: 641-752-2300: Marshall, Tama, Jasper, and Poweshiek counties
In addition to YSS, the following 11 agencies provide support, services and links to additional program resources across the state such as transitional living services, employment training, and counseling. For a referral to an agency near you, call 1-800
-443-8336.
American Home Finding Association
Boys and Girls Home & Family Services
Children's Square USA
Children & Families of Iowa
Family Resources
Foundation 2
Four Oaks
Francis Lauer Youth Services
Quakerdale
Young House Family Services
Youth Homes of Mid America
Additional Programs and Components
Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
Aftercare participants who left foster care after May 1, 2006, were at least age 18, and have a high school diploma or GED may be able to qualify for a monthly stipend to live in an approved living arrangement such as with former foster parents, in an apartment or a college dorm. To qualify for the stipend, a PAL participant must be attending college, be in a work training program or be working. Regular meetings with a Self Sufficiency Advocate are also required.
Subsidized Apartments
The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) oversees a direct rent subsidy component of the Iowa Aftercare Services Network. This program is designed for aftercare participants who do not qualify for PAL. The IFA may be able to subsidize an apartment up to $350/month. Youth are responsible for paying the remainder of rent.
The goal is for IFA Aftercare participants to have some type of income and be working towards self-sufficiency.
Additional Resources
Medicaid Coverage/Title 19 (MIYA-Medicaid for Independent Young Adults)
Youth leaving foster care after turning 18 may be eligible to continue receiving medical coverage each month until age 21. Be sure to let the Department of Humans Services know every time your address changes. An annual review must be completed to continue this coverage. To qualify you must continue to live in the state of Iowa. You may receive Medicaid even if you choose not to participate in Aftercare.
The MIYA coverage may help pay the cost of medication, health care, substance abuse treatment, or mental health treatment.
College Financial Aid
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. Youth use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
The state of Iowa offers two grant programs to help with college expenses: the Education & Training Voucher (ETV) Grant and the All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant. Grants are free money that do not need to be repaid and are available to students who meet the specific requirements of each grant program. For more information, please visit www.iowacollegeaid.gov and click on Scholarships and Grants or call 1-800-383-4222.
You may also visit the following website for additional information on the IASN: www.ypii.org
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