Foster care & Adoption

May is National Foster Care Month. Iowa’s foster care system is responsible for some of the most vulnerable children in the state. What do you know about foster care in Iowa?

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.

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.