Iowa HHS is changing the way services are organized, funded, and delivered across the state to make the system work better for Iowans.
These efforts, through system alignment, will create a more coordinated and efficient HHS system that better meets Iowans’ needs. System alignment means developing HHS service systems where partners work together to:
- Achieve clear goals.
- Make it easier for people to get the services they need.
- Use resources more effectively.
List items for ECFSS
Iowa HHS is developing an Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) system within the Division of Family Well-Being and Protection. The ECFS system will offer families connected services across Iowa through coordinated prevention, early intervention, and community-based supports that strengthen family well-being, promote healthy child development, and reduce the likelihood of abuse or neglect.
The system will coordinate and strengthen four core services across HHS districts and make them easier for people to access statewide:
- Resource navigation
- Provides referrals to support resilience and long-term independence.
- Career coaching for families
- Supports low-income families to overcome barriers and build pathways to self-sufficiency.
- Parent assistance programs
- Promotes healthy pregnancies, improves parenting skills, strengthens relationships and supports child development.
- Family support and home visiting
- Partners with families from pregnancy through early childhood to promote child well-being, school readiness and lasting family stability.
The following changes will go into effect July 1, 2027:
- The ECFS system will launch with a focus on children ages 0 to 19 and their families. The goal is to help families experience more good days together by improving child and family health and building and strengthening positive relationships.
- Each HHS district will have a district advisory council to share local perspectives and provide feedback on how services are being put into practice.
- Iowa HHS will strengthen accountability, performance, and outcome reporting and develop ECFS system plans (state and district) with input from system partners.
- Iowa HHS will manage an ECFS fund to bring services together for children and families and will make greater use of federal Title IV‑E funding to better meet their needs statewide.
The following will stay the same:
- The Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP) will continue as a part of the ECFS system so families can receive more connected, streamlined services.
- Home visiting services will continue to be offered to families statewide.
- As an ECFS system partner, Early Childhood Iowa will continue to focus on helping children ages 0 to 5 grow up healthy, be ready for school, live in safe communities, and have supportive families and early learning environments.
- Local providers and community partners will continue to work together and share information to help families get the services they need and support their well‑being.
Iowa HHS districts will be used for collaboration. Locally, partners will work together to address health and social issues within and across districts.
Using districts for collaboration across HHS service systems (Aging and Disability Services, Behavioral Health, Community Access and Eligibility, Family Well-being and Protection, and Public Health) helps to meet Iowans’ needs while maximizing the use of limited resources.
ECFSS Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs will be updated regularly.