Urbandale CSD Facilitators of Family Outreach (FFOs) are committed to supporting our students and families by connecting them to the services and resources they are looking for. Especially through the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout our school year, know that Urbandale Schools is here to support you with your concerns (please see the contact form at the bottom of the page!)
Resources include, but are not limited to: (*note: this list is updated regularly)
Clothing and Hygiene
-
- Drake Pantry
- 3226 University Ave, Des Moines
- Phone: (515) 518- 4770
- Can pick up needed hygiene products.
- Dress for Success
- This resource is for adults who are looking for clothing for their professional interviews/jobs. Please fill out the Student Services and Family Outreach Contact form or Contact your Facilitator of Family Outreach Services to get your referral to Dress for Success!
- UMS Hygiene Pantry
- Limited hygiene products are available to students (of all ages). Please reach out via the “Student Services and Family Outreach” form for requests.
- Urbandale Community School Clothing Closet
- Please fill out the below “Student Services and Family Outreach” form or contact your school’s Facilitator of Family Outreach to set up an appointment.
- Urbandale Community Action Network Clothing Closet
- Hours: Monday 4-6pm, Tuesday – Thursday 9am-1pm, last Saturday of each month from 9am-1pm
- 7509 Douglas Ave, Suite 5, Urbandale
- Please allow one shopper per family and wear a facemask. Each shopper will have 30 minutes in order to make time for all who are in need. Walk up help is still provided each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9-11am.
- Please bring proof of residence and ids for everyone in your home.
English Language Learning Community
Get information on resources and updates on what is going on with COVID-19 in your language.
- Compa en Comino
- This service is at no charge to families. They will do tutoring, short term babysitting, tech troubleshooting, food delivery, will help fill out forms, anything. They are trained in how to navigate keeping Covid spread to a minimum in their interactions. Translation in Spanish is available when you call.
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Health information in multiple languages Click Here
- EMBARC
- Crisis Response Information and phone line in multiple languages Click Here
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- Health information in multiple languages Click Here
- Iowa Immigrant Community Fund
- This fund is set up to meet the needs of immigrant families during this global pandemic, who do not qualify for government assistance. Funds are concentrated on families working in meat processing plants, agriculture, facing significant challenges due to loss of income, illnesses, or other challenges. Funds can help cover mortgage payments, rent, transportation costs, medical bills, or other basic needs. Apply here
- Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa
- Get connected to a doctor and resources you need Click Here
- Emergency Resource for Families
- Iowa Spanish Helpline
- This line is to help the Spanish-speaking community in the state of Iowa with the goal of providing information, resources, and support for the Iowa community. The line is answered by professionals in the Latino community.
Education/Tutoring
- Compa en Camino: This service is at no charge to families. They will do tutoring, short term babysitting, tech troubleshooting, food delivery, will help fill out forms, anything. They are trained in how to navigate keeping Covid spread to a minimum in their interactions. Translation in Spanish is available when you call.
- United Way Homework Helpers Hotline: Volunteer-based hotline aiming to support students with homework questions outside of the school day during this time of ever-changing learning models.
- When: 3:00-8:00 PM Sunday-Thursday
- How: Call 2-1-1 and Press #7 to get a homework helper. Interpreters are available.
- Homework helper
Employment
- Evelyn K. Davis Center For Working Families
- Please leave a message at 515-697-7700 or Click Here
- Iowa Workforce Development
- Iowa DHS Application for Unemployment
- Call Center: 866-239-0843 (there may be long waits when you call) Monday- Friday 6:00am-6:30pm and Saturday and Sunday 6:00am-7:30pm, or Apply Here online
- Iowa DHS Unemployment Information, Temporary Jobs Link
- Click Here for links to job opportunities
- DACA recipients may apply in Iowa
Financial/General
- COVID-19 United Way Community Economic Relief Fund
- Call 515-833-2626 to get assistance with bills, rent, and food.
- Financial Empowerment Center, located at the Evelyn Kay Davis Center
- Provides FREE financial coaching specific to COVID 19 over the phone. For an Appointment, Click Here
- Financial Fitness Bootcamp- 4-week Financial Fitness Bootcamp that is open for anyone wanting to work on their personal finances. See the attachment for more information and how to sign up!
- Iowa DHS Assistance Programs
- To apply for the following assistance programs, click here to download the DHS Financial Support Application (Solicitud de Ayuda Financiera).
- Food Assistance
- Child Care Assistance
- Cash Assistance Family Investment Program or Refugee Cash Assistance
- State Supplementary Assistance
- Family Planning
- Well-Child and Prenatal
- For help with completing your online application, please contact the Des Moines North Child Support Recovery Unit at 6200 Aurora Ave, Suite 301E, Urbandale, or call them at 515-725-8110.
- Low-Income Home Energy
- IMPACT Community Action Partnership will be taking applications for the 2020-2021 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning October 1, 2020. Households with members who are elderly/disabled may apply October 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020. Applications for all other households will be taken beginning November 2, 2020.
- Information on Who Qualifies and How to Apply
- Call 515-518-4770 to schedule a phone appointment.
- Polk County General Assistance Program
- Help with shelter, utilities, food, and personal items Click Here
- Taxes Support (for Immigrant and Former Refugee Families)
- The Health Well Foundation
- $250 assistance to families with health risks for COVID 19, helping with costs associated with delivered food, medications, transportation, telehealth etc.
- Phone applications only at 1-800-675-8416. For more information, Click Here
- 2-1-1
- Dial “2-1-1” to receive support on any variety of needs you are experiencing
Food
- Summer Breakfast/Lunch Meals
- UCSD Nutrition Services Department will be providing free breakfast and lunch meals from June 6 – August 5, 2022. Learn more details about Summer Meals here.
- Complete an Application for Free & Reduced Meals
- The 2022-23 Iowa Eligibility Application (also known as Free & Reduced Meals Application) is open. Even if you completed the 2021-2022 application, you will still need to complete the 2022-2023 application. Only one Iowa Eligibility Application per household is required. To learn more about applying for free or reduced meals, please visit the Nutrition Services website. For assistance in completing the application or for questions, please contact the Nutrition Department at 515-457-6911. The Urbandale Community School District is an equal opportunity provider.
- Student Fee Waiver Program
- UCSD offers financial assistance to families qualifying for the district’s free and reduced meal program. If your child(ren) qualifies for free or reduced price meals, you may also be eligible for other benefits such as free or reduced fees for books and materials, driver’s education, busing, activities, and other district services.
- In order to receive these additional benefits, make sure you complete the Waiver of Confidentiality portion of the 2022-23 Iowa Eligibility Application (which is located on tab 2, “Additional Questions” within the online application form). If you have already completed the application and did not select “yes” for this option, or if you received an email or letter stating that you were Directly Certified by the State, you can complete the waiver separately by using this form. By completing the waiver form, you waive your right to confidentiality of your eligibility status for the selected programs. Please note: The application and waiver forms need to be completed each school year.
- Summer Meal Meetups: Other Community Meals
- Food Bank Urbandale Food Pantry
- Hours: Thursday 3/19 the UFP will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. We will be closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- Please bring ID for head of household and each person in the household requiring assistance. They can provide food, personal care products, cold/frozen foods and milk (when available)
- Food Bank of Iowa: Hot Meal Grab & Go:
- New Life Center, 1057 23rd St., Des Moines, 50311
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m
- Evelyn K. Davis Park, 1171 7th St., Des Moines, IA 50314
Monday and Thursdays, 4-6 p.m
- Catholic Charities Food Pantry, 1815 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, 50316
Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m
- Food Delivery Assistance
- For deliver assistance or to learn more please call the Food Bank of Iowa Emergency Food Assistance Hotline: 515-957-2900
- Food PantryNetwork: DMARC
- Groceries from New Hope Church
- meat, dairy, fruits, and veggies (while supplies last)
- When: Every Wednesday from 2-4
- Where: 3201 99 St Urbandale
- Pantries in DM that DO NOT ask for ID
-
- Proteus, Friendship Baptist Center, Watchmen, Bond of Unity Food Pantry, Adopt-a-Cause, First Assembly of God, Sandy McNamar Food Pantry, Hope Ankeny, the Cupboard, and Amazing Grace Ministries.
- UCAN- Mobile Food Pantry
- Where/When: 2 Locations:
- Aldersgate Church (upper parking lot 3600 75th St, Urbandale)
- Monday only, 3:00 until food is gone
- Lions Park
- Wed only, 1:30 until food is gone
- Instructions: Limited food items, one bag per family. Please drive slowly up to the UCAN volunteer, who will ask how many in your family and then hand you a food bag.
- Urban Dreams Food Boxes
- FREE Pasta, bread, sweets, sandwiches, eggs, pizza, and other food available.
- When: 9-5 Monday through Friday
- Where: 601 Forest Avenue DSM (just ring our buzzer we will bring you some food)
- WIC
- WIC (Women Infants, & Children) is a supplemental nutrition program for babies, children under the age of 5, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and women who have had a baby in the last 6 months. For more information visit: https://idph.iowa.gov/wic
Health
- Broadlawns Medical Center
- Emergency and Clinic (Sliding Fee Scale and Title 19)
- Address: 1801 Hickman Road Des Moines
- Phone: (515) 282-2273
- Creative Visions
- Free dental screenings on Saturdays from 11am to 1pm.
- Address: 1343 13th St, Des Moines, IA 50314
- Phone: (515) 244-4003
- Delta Dental Search (for Hawk-i Insurance holders)
- Use this link to search for dentists in the area who accept hawk-i insurance. Information provided includes the dentist’s address, phone number, language, and payment options (if applicable).
- Dental Connections
- Address: 1111 9th St, Suite 190, Des Moines
- Phone: (515) 244- 9136
- Provides dental services to all ages and income levels. Call to make an appointment You can also visit online to request an appointment or learn more!
- Free/Low-Cost Clinics in Polk County
- Medicaid
- Who Qualifies and How to Apply
- If you need help applying- Every Step can help you apply for children or pregnant moms. Call 515-288-1516 to set up an appointment. They have access to multiple languages.
- If your child does not qualify for Medicaid, they may Qualify for Hawk-i, which has much higher income guidelines. Call 515-558-6243 for assistance or Click Here.
- Mercy Des Moines- Catholic Health Initiatives
- Mercy Hospital: 1111 6th Ave, Des Moines
- Financial assistance available after an emergency visit to families who are eligable, after other efforts to pay bills have been exhausted.
- Polk County Health Department: Free Clinic and Flu Shots
- Free clinic for uninsured or underinsured. Call 515-286-3798 to set up an appointment.
- Seasonal Flu Shots Clinic
- Primary Health Care (PHC ) Respiratory Clinic Click Here
- If you or a member of your family are experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath you may visit the PHC Clinic Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Clinic is located just south of the Bery Engebretsen Clinic at 2401 SE 14th Street in Des Moines.
- Primary Health Care (PHC) West Side Clinic
- *Walk-in clinic now available*
- Address: 7555 Hickman Rd, Clive
- Phone number: (515) 225-7201
- Services: Will do checkups, physicals, screen for depression/anxiety, and psychiatric medication management. They will see patients regardless of ability to pay or those uninsured. Interpreters are available.
- Wylies Eye Clinic
- Takes Title 19
- Address: 5280 Northwest 86th Street, Johnston
- Phone: (515) 270-8545
Housing/Homelessness
- Polk County Housing Resources
- Get information on rental assistance, rental properties available in various price ranges, utility assistance, transitional and emergency shelter, and other housing resources in Polk County. Other county information is also available on the website.
- Primary Health Care
- Those who are at risk or who are currently homeless, contact 515-248-1850 to schedule a Centralized Intake Appointment. Please leave a message and a staff member will return your phone call.
- Home Inc
- Helps tenant and Landlords throughout Iowa understand their housing rights and responsibilities through FREE counseling
- Call 515-243-1277 or visit Click Here.
- IMPACT
- Rent/utility assistance for families who have been affected by loss of employment or lack of employment due to COVID. This program will pay for those who are CURRENTLY behind in rent/utilities up to 12 months behind and 3 months in advance. This program is open to anyone. Please see the attachment for what is needed to apply. IMPACT utilities: rent assistance
- If you would like help filling out forms and figuring out the documents needed to apply, please contact UCAN at info@urbandalenetwork.org or (515) 278-3936. They can also give access to a computer and scanner, needed to complete the online application.
- Call IMPACT Community Action Agency at (515) 274-9496 for more information and to check eligibility.
- Iowa Finance Authority
- Receive mortgage or rent support if facing foreclosure or eviction. More information, guidelines, and the application can be found on this link.
- Mortgage Help- Get counseling support on help with your Mortgage, no matter your financial challenges! Follow this link for more information and to submit a form for a financial counselor.
- IOWA RESIDENTIAL UTILITY DISRUPTION PREVENTION PROGRAM
- Polk County Rental Assistance Program
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate a COVID-related impact to their household income that has affected their ability to pay rent. Households must also be past due on their rent to qualify for this assistance. Click here for more information on this and other programs.
- Right now, you must call 515-518-4770 to apply! Online applications coming soon!
- Rights Against Eviction
- Urban Dreams
- Rent and mortgage assistance for up to 12 months. Need does not need to be as of result of COVID-19 outbreak. Can also support families who cannot provide required documentation. Must be below 80% of area median income (can help you determine eligibility).
- How to sign up:
- Please call 515-288-4742 OR
- Stop by our office at 601 Forest Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50314
Legal
- There is a free COVID-19 Legal Information Hotline developed by Iowa Legal Aid in partnership with the Iowa State Bar Association and the Polk County Volunteer Lawyer Project. Iowans experiencing any type of legal problem due to the pandemic, such as facing eviction, being denied unemployment benefits, experiencing employment issues, or being a victim of identity theft, can call 1-800-332-0419. If you want more information Click Here.
Mental Health
- Calm Down Rooms (Virtual)
- Caregivers Resources: Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
- The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health is excited to launch our new free Caregiver Resources Library. Designed to help parents, caregivers and family members support both their children’s mental health as well as their own— our new resources include fact sheets and videos covering common mental health topics.
- Current topics include:
+ Attachment
+ Childhood Development
+ Trauma…. New content and topics will beadded regularly.
- Children and Families of Iowa
-
- Programs are targeted in the areas of mental health, family support, teen support, and family safety.
- Address: 1111 University Avenue, Des Moines
- Phone: (515) 288-1981
- COVID Recovery Iowa
- Virtual counseling and self-care sessions to help during this time of COVID-19 are offered in a variety of options:
- Employee & Family Resources
- All Urbandale Students, Families, and Employees have 6 free sessions per person through our Employee Assistance Program. You do not need a referral. You can call the number directly, let them know you are an Urbandale School family or employee, and request assistance. Your usage of this service remains confidential!
- For telephone support and scheduling, please call: 800-327-4692 for 24-hour support.
- Call: 515-244-6090
- Hamilton’s Academy of Grief and Loss
- COVID-19 grief resources, including a community resource booklet, lending library, support groups. For more information, Click Here
- Mindful Teen: From Surviving to Thriving in a Busy World
- What: Iowa State Extention offers a 6-session Zoom series about managing stress, difficult emotions, and improving overall well-being, relationships, and performance in school, sports, and other activities.
- When: Mondays, Feb 1-March 8 from 6:00-7:00
- Where: via Zoom
- Register here! Spots will run out soon!
- National Alliance on Mental Illness- (NAIMI of Greater Des Moines)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 for a Crisis Text Line
- Orchard Place
- Child mental health (Title 19, sliding scale)
- Love and Logic Parenting Course: January 2021
- Please Pass the Love
- Free resources and programs for youth and adults to connect and relate with others- for more information Click Here
- Youth Workshops
- School-Based Therapy- Stepping Stones
- Contact your school counselor or Facilitator of Family Outreach services to speak about the possibility of a referral.
- UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Opening Behavioral Health Urgent Care
- 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week
- 1250 East 9th Street in Des Moines.
- Services will include receiving an initial assessment from a licensed mental health clinician and then being connected to appropriate interventions. Additional interventions could include but are not limited to:
- Inpatient psychiatric admission, On-site coordination to Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services, and Orchard Place Child Guidance Center, Connection to other community resources for basic needs.
- Patients are advised to utilize the Emergency Room instead of the Urgent Care Clinic if they are needing immediate medical attention (i.e. open or fresh wounds), are a minor who does not have a guardian to sign a consent to treat, demonstrating aggressive behavior or having a crisis outside of the hours listed above. For all other behavioral health, psychiatric, and addiction-related care, patients should access the new Behavioral Health Urgent Care. Click here to learn more about UnityPoint Health Behavioral Health Urgent Care.
Safe Family Support
- Crisis Hotlines:
- Children and Families of Iowa (domestic violence, emergency shelter)
(515) 471-8699
Crisis Line: 1-800-942-0333 (Counties: Polk and Warren)
- Iowa Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-770-1650 or text “IOWAHELP” to 20121.
- Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline
(800) 284-7821
- Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services
(domestic violence, sexual abuse)
(515) 286-3600 (24 hour crisis line)
(Counties: Polk and Warren)
- Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
(515) 286-3600
- In-Home Family Services
- Boys Town of Iowa IHFS Early Intervention: In-Home Family Services program working with Juvenile Court to provide families Early Intervention Services as an attempt to avoid Juvenile Court or to avoid falling further into the Juvenile court system.
- Specialized Population Agencies:
- L.U.N.A. (domestic violence, sexual abuse – Latinx Community)
24-Hour Crisis Line: (515) 271-5060
(Counties: Polk, Warren and Marshall)
- Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (domestic violence, sexual abuse – Asian/Pacific Islander Community)
24-Hour Crisis Line: (515) 288-0881
Click here for COVID-19 public letter
Click here for policy (Counties: Statewide)
- NISAA (domestic abuse, sexual assault – African Immigrant & Refugee Community)
24-Hour Crisis Line: (515) 288-0881
(Counties: Statewide)
- RISE (domestic abuse, sexual assault – Native American Community)
(641) 481-0334
(Counties: Statewide)
- Transformative Healing (sexual abuse – a safe space for LGBTQIA victims/survivors)
(319) 389-8430
(Counties: Statewide)
Technology
- Internet access for students in 7th – 12th grades
- If you have a student(s) in grades 7–12, qualify for free and reduced lunch status, and are in need of internet service at home, please complete this form in order to request a family hotspot for the 2022-2023 school year. A hotspot will enable your student to access the internet while at home. (Note: Kindergarten through 6th grade students will be keeping their Chromebooks at school so they will not need a hotspot at home for online learning.) Please only submit one form per family; we will not be able to provide a hotspot for every individual student.
- Mediacom- Connect2Compete
- You may qualify for discounted internet, to support online learning this school year. Click here for more information and to apply!
- Qualifications:
- Mediacom offers internet service in your community or area
- You have at least one student in grades K-12 living at home
- At least one child qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunch through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- You are not a current Mediacom internet customer and have NOT subscribed to our internet service in the past 90 days
- You do not have an outstanding Mediacom bill or unreturned equipment**
Virtual Community Partners
- Iowa Safe Schools
- Visit Iowa Safe Schools to learn more about how Iowa Safe Schools support LGBTQ youth or join their virtual meetings on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2:00 on their Facebook page!
- Please Pass the Love
- PPL has resources for students and families on multiple challenges within mental health, including student leadership to stomp out the stigma of mental health in schools and resources for black mental health.
If you are not able to find assistance with the resources listed above, please complete our Student Services & Family Outreach Contact Form and we will follow up with you as soon as possible. Thank you!
