1) What are the benefits of being a member?
2) Who can become a member?
3) Are there different types of membership?
4) How does our agency proceed with the application process?

1) What are the benefits of being a member?

You can access :
1) Membership criteria, classifications, and application process;
2) A membership application form; and
3) The Coalition Mission, Goals, and Beliefs Statements.

Benefits will include: being part of a statewide advocacy network to represent your interests before decision-makers; increasing your ability to impact policies that will affect the future of children and families and our service delivery systems; rapid access to changing state and federal laws and agency administrative rules; being part of national responses to proposed federal changes in Medicaid, foster care, juvenile justice, adoption, and other human services areas; participation and representation in state agency negotiations in areas including managed care, rates, outcomes, bundles, and utilization management; access to information and training about emerging trends in the delivery of services, including managed health care; being eligible for participation in the special needs adoption project; and reduced registration fees to attend our annual conference.

Dues. Our dues policy was recently revised. Dues are based on the agencies operating budget for children's services calculated at .0044 for the first $1.5 million. of the budget, .002 for the next $1.5 million, .001 for the next $2.4 million, and a maximum of $12,000 per year. New members are assessed dues at one-half of this amount. The policy for new members also allows for further negotiation of first-year dues. To cover computer and data collection expenses for the Coalition's own outcome measures project, agencies involved in the outcomes effort are assessed an additional 15% of their total dues amount

If you have any other questions, please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Ann Harrmann, Associate Director
My email: annt@iachild.org
My phone: 515-244-0074, Ext. 3

 

2) Who can become a member?

If a prospective agency meets the following criteria, the agency is eligible for membership.

1. An agency which is licensed by the State of Iowa if the state has licensing requirements in the Iowa Administrative Code; or
An agency which has a Purchase of Service Agreement with the State of Iowa if the state does not have licensing requirements in the Iowa Administrative Code; for example, home-based, family-centered, or family preservation services.
2. The agency provides services to children and families.
3. The agency provides, or is interested in providing, services in one or more of the following areas: prevention; crisis intervention; family preservation; family-centered; in-home family treatment; family counseling; therapeutic foster family care; foster group care; residential treatment; PMIC; shelter care; detention; jail alternatives; day treatment; independent living; special needs adoptions; diagnosis and evaluation; WIC; teen pregnancy; domestic violence; or alcohol and drug abuse.
4. The agency has signed and returned the Membership Application Form and attachments. This Form includes a statement of agreement that the agency subscribes to the Coalition's Mission, by-laws, policies adopted by the Board of Directors and will work toward the collective good of the Coalition and its members.
 

3) Are there different types of membership?

The Coalition has two types of Membership:

1. Provisional 1st year membership - 1/2 dues (or negotiated with executive director) and may have had a site visit
2. Full Member - after first year full dues
 

4) How does our agency proceed with the application process?

A ) If an agency is interested in becoming a member of the Coalition, the following is submitted:
1. A letter expressing their interest in services which the Coalition advocates for.
2. A copy of their license, a copy of their signed POS agreement (excluding attachments), or in the case of Detention Centers, a copy of their approval to operate from DHS.
3. Completed Membership Application. Click here for Application.
 

B) Response of Coalition to Membership Application:
1.The application will be distributed to the Membership or Executive Committee.
2.The Membership or Executive Committee may schedule a Site Visit to the agency.
3. Based on the written materials and any site visit report, the Membership or Executive Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board.
4. The motion for acceptance must carry by a 2/3 votes of the Board of Directors.

 

C) Full Membership.-- After one year of membership, the Membership or Executive Committee will make a recommendation to the Board for the agency to become a Full Member of the Coalition. The recommendation will be based on the agency having been a member of the Coalition in accordance with the By-laws, mission, and policies. Based on a 2/3 vote of the Board, the agency will be accepted as a Full Member.

 

D) Hardship.-- If an agency cannot afford to pay their assessed dues because of financial hardship, the agency shall contact the Executive Director of the Coalition listing the reasons why the cost is prohibitive. The Director shall discuss this matter with the agency. The Executive Director shall report to the Executive Committee with a recommendation. The Executive Committee will make the decision if dues will be lowered. Information shall be kept confidential within the Executive Committee