2026 Legislative Priorities
Building Strong, Stable Systems for Iowa’s Children & Families
The Coalition for Family & Children’s Services in Iowa represents providers across child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, and prevention services. Our 2026 legislative priorities focus on strengthening systems, modernizing outdated processes, and protecting recent legislative investments that support children and families across Iowa.
2026 Priorities — At a Glance
- Modernize funding for Child Welfare Emergency Shelters
- Backfill the Child Protective Services (CPS) appropriation
- Establish a biennial Child Welfare Rate Analysis
- Preserve stability across child welfare, behavioral health, and Medicaid services
Printable Resources
System Alignment: Child Welfare Emergency Shelters
Why It Matters
Emergency shelters provide short-term, minimally restrictive care that keeps children safe while maintaining community connections.
The Issue Today
Iowa uses an outdated split-billing system:
- Shelters must bill both the state and counties
- Up to 99 different county billing processes
- Administrative burden for shelters and counties
- No clear statewide picture of shelter costs
Counties reimburse about $1.8 million annually, but the process no longer fits how the system operates.
Our Recommendation
Make the state the single payer for shelter services by eliminating the county billing requirement.
What This Accomplishes
- Less paperwork and faster payments
- Better transparency for the Legislature and HHS
- More staff time focused on children and families
- Consistent funding statewide
Investment Needed: $1,804,889
This is a shift in payment responsibility — not a rate increase or service expansion.
Backfill the Child Protective Services (CPS) Appropriation
Why It Matters
Children and families need stable, ongoing support — not temporary funding solutions.
Our Recommendation
Increase the CPS appropriation by $4.8 million to permanently fund existing QRTP and Shelter rate increases.
Investment Needed: $4.8 million
Establish a Child Welfare Rate Analysis Process
Why It Matters
Regular review ensures lawmakers have accurate information about service costs and system needs.
Our Recommendation
Require HHS to complete a biennial QRTP and Shelter rate analysis and report findings by December 15, 2026, and every two years thereafter.
Preserve What We Have — Keep Building the System
Why It Matters
Stability protects progress and helps children, families, and providers plan for the future.
Our Focus
- Prevent cuts to child welfare, behavioral health, and Medicaid services
- Protect eligibility and access to care
- Safeguard essential Medicaid services, including BHIS
- Maintain progress from recent rate increases
Bottom Line
These priorities strengthen systems, reduce administrative burden, and protect investments that help children and families thrive.
Questions?
Kristie Oliver
Executive Director
Coalition for Family & Children’s Services in Iowa
515-244-0074 ext. 1
[email protected]
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