MISSION:

It is the mission of the Coalition for Family and Children's Services in Iowa to promote and represent the interests of member agencies in improving the quality of life for children and families.

VISION:

We envision a true public/private partnership providing Iowa's at risk children and their families an array of fully funded, quality, outcome based services.

.....is predicated on the strength and health of its families. But today, thousands of families are facing unprecedented pressures and stress. Children, youth and families are at risk because of: child abuse, abandonment, neglect, adolescent sexuality, substance abuse, chronic poverty, runaways, delinquent acts, dysfunctional family relationships, and unemployment. All of these realities have disrupted lives, broken family ties, set parents and children adrift, and created a class of vulnerable children in jeopardy.

Increasingly, the need for support and therapeutic services for children and families in crisis is demonstrated. Vigorous leadership is crucial to preserve excellence in Iowa's network of community-based family and children's service programs and to advocate for the most effective utilization of scarce resources.

The Coalition for Family and Children's Services in Iowa, children's and family service agencies across Iowa, is a forceful advocate, providing the leadership and unity to meet these challenges.

Coalition member agencies provide a range of community-based services to needy families and troubled children. Adoption crisis intervention, PMIC, family centered, family preservation, in-home family treatment, therapeutic foster family care, residential treatment, shelter care, detention, jail alternatives, independent living for teens, family counseling, delinquency prevention, WIC, teen pregnancy, and diagnosis and evaluation are among the services that agencies offer.

The Coalition was formed in 1979 to provide a way for members to improve services and impact on public policy through combined resources.

To advocate for the continuous improvement in the quality of life of Iowa's children and families.

To continuously improve the quality of family and children's services.

To increase public awareness of the needs of families and children.

To develop and mobilize resources to meet the needs of families and children.

To help lead Iowa in a successful transition to the 21st century system of delivery of services to children and families.

• The best place for children to grow up is in a healthy family living in a supportive community.
• Childrens' best interests and Iowa's best interests are the same.
• It is the family's responsibility to provide for the well-being of the child; but when they can not or will not, it is the responsibility of society to ensure services are available to do so.
• Our member agencies have the expertise to help children and families improve the quality of their lives.
• Early intervention and prevention is cost effective and produces positive results.
• In respecting diversity and treating individuals with respect and self worth.
• We have the responsibility to advocate for the well-being of children and families.
• That agencies need sufficient resources to provide quality services
• In promoting and supporting sound professional ethics and standards in carrying out our individual agencies' missions
• Agencies need sufficient resources to provide quality services.