Iowa health department runs family services and plans local home visiting transfers

The Department of Health and Human Services runs a statewide system of prevention, early help, and family resources. The system serves Iowa families and children under age 19. The department’s duties to develop and administer the system apply to the extent funding is available. The section creating the system takes effect upon enactment.

The law directs how certain decategorization funds and contracts are handled during the transition. These rules cover specified money in decategorization funding pools at the close of the fiscal year that began July 1, 2025. Some funds remain available only if they were obligated or encumbered for an initiative or contract. Juvenile court services must end covered contracts and cannot renew or extend them. Some obligated funds may remain available through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027; the covered juvenile court contracts end at the close of the fiscal year that began July 1, 2025.

The law directs child abuse prevention money and tax checkoff donations to the early childhood and family services system fund. This covers specified child abuse prevention money, including eligible tax return donations. Taxpayers may designate a donation of at least one dollar, but the donation is limited by the refund or payment remaining after specified tax liabilities are satisfied. Unspent money in the child abuse prevention program fund on June 30, 2026, transfers to the statewide fund.

The department must plan a transfer of home visiting services when an Early Childhood Iowa area board requests one. This applies to home visiting services run through the requesting Early Childhood Iowa area board. The department must keep current recipients’ care uninterrupted during the transition. The transfer plan is required only after a board requests the move. The transfer planning and protections apply when the department receives a board’s request.

The law requires a legislative study committee to review options for moving home visiting services to a district system. The committee reviews possible changes to home visiting services offered through Early Childhood Iowa areas, including effects on rural and underserved communities. The department must provide requested data with personal identifying information removed. The committee meets during the 2026 legislative interim and reports by January 8, 2027.