2026 Legislative PrioritiesPractical policy solutions, Clear Legislative asks.The Coalition for Family & Children’s Services in Iowa represents providers across Iowa’s child welfare, juvenile justice, and children’s behavioral health, and prevention systems. Our 2026 priorities focus on stabilizing service capacity, modernizing workforce policy, and ensuring funding decisions reflect real costs and clinical realities. Below are the specific bills and actions we are asking you to support — or oppose.2026 Priorities — At a Glance
Printable Resources: Stabilize QRTP & Shelter RatesSupport the Governor's CPS budget- Make rates permanentWhat: Continue and make permanent the July 2025 QRTP and shelter rate increases. Why: One-time funding helped stabilize providers. Permanency prevents another funding cliff and protects service capacity for children and families. LSA Analysis of Governor's Budget (Page 6)One System. One Payer. Less Paperwork.Support HSB 590 What: Designate HHS as the single payer for child welfare emergency shelters, ending split billing across counties. Why: Billing up to 99 counties creates inefficiency, administrative burden, and inconsistent payment practices. Printable Resource: Modernize funding for Child Welfare Emergency Shelters – Detailed OverviewGood Policy Requires Good DataSupport HSB 621What: Establish a biennial QRTP and shelter rate analysis process. Why: Iowa needs a transparent, consistent cost review process to ensure rates reflect the true cost of care and workforce realities.Modernizing Foster Parent TrainingSupport HF 2163 & SF 2096Iowa law currently requires a rigid 30-hour initial training and 6-hour annual renewal for all foster parents — regardless of experience. Why Update the Law?One-Size-Fits-None: Barrier to Entry: Protect Service CapacityOppose HF 2304 & SSB 3074What: These bills cap administrative/indirect costs at 5% on state grants and contracts. Why: A rigid cap undermines nonprofit infrastructure, reduces provider participation, and destabilizes services for children and families.PMIC Bed Tracking – Transparency Requires Clinical GuardrailsHF 2220 (Section 4)What: HF 2220 requires HHS to develop an electronic system to track PMIC bed availability. Coalition Position: We support transparency and coordination. However, definitions and clinical guardrails must be established before implementation. Why Guardrails Matter:
Printable Resource: HF 2200 Coalition Concerns & Recommended Guardrails Questions?We welcome the opportunity to walk through any of these issues or provide additional data. Kristie Oliver |
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