Nicole Baxter
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Iowa Public Radio
A new state law has led to the removal of a protective policy for LGBTQ foster youth. The law (SF 473) says foster parents don't have to accept a policy about sexual orientation or gender identity if it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Supporters say it's needed to protect foster parents' religious freedom, but some fear it puts LGBTQ foster youth in a vulnerable spot.
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Under a bill on its way to the governor's desk, prospective foster care parents couldn't be denied licensure due to their sincerely held moral and religious beliefs around gender identity and sexual orientation. Opponents of the bill say it could harm LGBTQ youth in foster care. -
Iowa’s hands-free law is now being enforced. On this Newsbuzz edition, what drivers need to know to stay safe and avoid fines. Also, it’s crunch time at the Capitol — we check in with 'Des Moines Register' reporter Stephen Gruber-Miller on where key legislation stands. We also hear from IPR’s Meghan McKinney about a new law changing foster parent training, and get a planting season preview from Iowa State agronomist Mark Licht as weather swings impact farmers. Plus, an Iowa State researcher explains how artificial intelligence is being used to predict virus evolution before it happens. And we wrap up with groove into the weekend with Nick Brunner. -
Foster parent training will be based on a prospective parent's lived and professional experience under a new law set to take effect July 1. Some training topics are required, as well as safety vetting and background checks.
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The Iowa Senate passed a bill that would change Iowa's foster care training requirements. Under the proposal, the state would determine a training course for each prospective foster parent, with some areas of training still required. -
Iowans who take in family members in foster care, known as kinship caregivers, can now receive financial assistance equal to foster care parents because of a 2023 federal rule. -
A foster care nonprofit is launching an online platform for foster and kinship families to find items they need in the hours before foster kids arrive.
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Author Mark Daley has shared his experiences fostering and what he learned along the way in the book Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care and the Risks We Take for Family. -
There is a critical need for more foster parents in Iowa, according to the nonprofit that oversees foster and adoptive services in the state. -
The new director of the Iowa Reading Research Center discusses k-12 reading education in Iowa, and the director of the Reel Hope Project explains how the project helps foster children find homes.
