Supports and Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care - Iowa

Date: October 2025

Youth's Parental Rights
Citation: Admin. Code § 441-156.9(4)

Unless the court has transferred custody from the mother, the mother shall have primary responsibility for providing supervision and parenting for the young child. The facility shall provide services to the mother to assist her in meeting her parenting responsibilities and shall monitor her care for the young child. 

Placement Options
Citation: Admin. Code § 441-156.9(4)

A youth parent in foster care may have her child living in placement with her.

Health Services

This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.

Parent Preparation for Expectant Youth

This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.

Education and Services to Support Parenting Youth
Citation: Admin. Code § 441-156.9(4)

The provider shall provide services to the mother to assist her to do the following: 

  • Obtain a high school diploma or high school equivalency
  • Develop preemployment skills 
  • Establish paternity for her young child whenever appropriate 
  • Obtain child support for the young child whenever paternity is established

Economic and Concrete Supports 
Citation: Admin. Code §§ 441-156.6(3); 441-156.9(4); DHS Employees' Man., Tit. 18, Ch. D(1)

When the child in foster care is a mother whose young child is in placement with her, the rate paid to the foster family shall be based on the daily rate for the mother and for the child according to the rate schedules in administrative rule. The foster parents shall provide a portion of the young child's rate to the mother to meet the partial maintenance needs of the young child as defined in the case permanency plan.

The provider shall designate $35 of the young child rate as an allowance to the mother to meet the maintenance needs of her young child, as defined in her case permanency plan.

In policy:  Since the child is not considered to be in foster care, the child is not automatically eligible for Medicaid except as a newborn child of a Medicaid-eligible parent. The minor parent may apply for Medicaid for a child who does not have newborn eligibility. Eligibility for the child will be determined separately, with a household size of one.

Services and Supports for Parenting Youth That Promote Self-Sufficiency
Citation: Admin. Code § 441-156.9(4)

The provider shall maintain information in the mother's file on the following: 

  • The involvement of the mother's parents or of other adults
  • The involvement of the father of the minor's child, including steps taken to establish paternity, if appropriate 
  • A decision of the minor to keep and raise her young child 
  • The plan for the minor's completion of high school or a high school equivalency program
  • The parenting skills of the minor parent
  • Child care and transportation plans for education, training, or employment 
  • Ongoing health care of the mother and child
  • Other services as needed to address personal or family problems or to facilitate the personal growth and development toward economic self-sufficiency of the minor parent and young child 

Foster Care Prevention Strategy for any Child Born to the Youth

This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.