Iowa Ideas 2025

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Human and Social Services

In-demand needs, resources, and gaps in access

SESSION 1
Competition and collaboration in the nonprofit sphere

As funding at the federal level may change, many nonprofits are looking for local means to supplement support. With limited outlets of local funding, will nonprofits experience a new level of resource competition? In this session, we’ll discuss the balance of collaboration with the need to meet budget demands.

October 02, 2025 at 9:35AM
SESSION 2
Political impact on human and social services

In a time of fast and furious policies that may directly affect many of Iowa’s most vulnerable populations, can social service providers leave politics at the door when working for the good of their staff and clients? In this session, social service providers will discuss board, staff and mission dynamics when political polarization occurs, and how to approach it when funding sources may dry up unexpectedly.

October 02, 2025 at 10:40AM
SESSION 3
Food insecurity remains an issue in Iowa

Food insecurity in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties grew, according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study. With demands increasing an tighter limits being placed on assistance programs, how are folks pulling together to provide stopgaps? In 2025, 1 in 8 Iowa adults and 1 in 6 kids face food insecurity, with nearly 385,130 not knowing where they will find their next meal. We’ll look at what’s being done to keep supports going, and talk about how stressed the system is.

October 02, 2025 at 11:45AM
SESSION 4
Mobilizing when you feel minimized: nonprofit advocacy

Advocacy plays an important role in the work of Iowa nonprofits, but issue-specific positions can be risky when thinking about donors and other funding sources. Can nonprofits unite on issues to ensure a voice is present and how much emphasis can these groups put on political strategies? We’ll explore strategies for non-profits of all sizes and whether there are strategies that can be helpful.

October 02, 2025 at 1:55PM
SESSION 5
Surviving the Times

What can nonprofit teams do to keep well when stressful times are afoot? What are common stressors that put team members at risk, and what are ways to address and overcome potential negative impact to the mind or body?

October 02, 2025 at 3:00PM
SESSION 6
Checking in on Iowa’s new behavioral health system

Iowa launched a new behavioral health system this summer, aimed at better connecting Iowans with mental health and disability services. We’ll talk about how the rollout is going and what it means for Iowans across the state. Is it helping provide more streamlined services? What’s being done to adjust as the rollout continues?

October 03, 2025 at 9:40AM
SESSION 7
Vaccines and Medical Research

We’ve seen significant changes to federal investments in medical research, while new efforts are being undertaken to reduce vaccine hesitancy in Iowa. What impact will this have on Iowans both from a jobs and health perspective? vaccines. We’ll talk about the Iowa impacts to these changes, what they mean both in terms of economics and public health.

October 03, 2025 at 11:50AM

Human and Social Services Articles

Iowa addiction specialists: Peer support crucial to recovery

As Iowa legislators continue to debate how best to allocate more than $25 million intended for treatment and prevention of opioid use disorder, the state is embarking on a plan to combine and streamline its mental health and substance use treatment regions — a step some providers say will benefit those seeking care. “Navigating the mental health...
Iowa Ideas: Working together to address overlapping human needs

Needing help can look like a lot of things: Not being able to afford food, not having somewhere to live, not knowing why you feel depressed and anxious. It can be obvious, or it can be hard to see. Social service professionals across Iowa work to address human needs in various ways, and the intersection between their sectors is significant. Food...
Nonprofits struggle to recruit volunteers as demand soars

Before the pandemic, 70 volunteers at the Des Moines Art Center provided education programming, museum tours and event support. That number dropped to 20 at the beginning of this year, forcing the modern and contemporary art museum to cut back on free guided tours of the center and at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park down the street. Read more stori...
Not-for-profits stay afloat in challenging times

Most Iowa not-for-profits were in “survival mode” in 2020 but found creative ways to keep doing their jobs, raise funds and keep their supporters engaged, even when they couldn’t see each other in-person. Many businesses closed their doors or cut back during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pandemic, poverty and unemployment heighten hunger in Iowa

Food shouldn’t be something people have to worry about or go without because they have to choose between a meal or paying the rent and their water bill. But it happens on a daily basis across the United States and here in Iowa. Food bank officials have many stories about how many working families cannot provide one meal, not to mention three a d...
Tammy Hoyman: Exploring the cliches of 2020

In difficult times, we search for answers, meaning or messages of hope. Sometimes we find clichés, and sometimes they are what we need. There is a counseling concept that helps us cope with challenges by replacing negative beliefs or catastrophic thinking with messages of optimism or hope that change our view of our reality. These messages of ho...
Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: The Needs For Youth — Health and Wellness for the Long Term

A holistic look at the needs and opportunities for youth, from early childhood to young adult. How can human service agencies collaborate for immediate and long term needs of a child? Where can innovation and creativity respond to the growing needs of total child wellness and what ideas are taking shape? Panelists include: Tisha Ritter, YPN; Dan...
Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Food Insecurity in Iowa

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity was a major issue for families across the state. Then the pandemic came and has stretched many programs even further. How is food insecurity trickling into other aspects of life? What opportunities can Iowans adopt to help reduce the insecurity?iowaideas.com. Panelists include: Deann Cook, Unite...
Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Providing Services in a COVID-19 Era

Panelists include: Emily Walker Blomme, Foundation 2, James Lee III, Boys & Girls Club, Cedar Valley; Debbie Craig, Four Oaks. Moderator: Adam Sullivan, The Gazette. This session was part of the 2020 Iowa Ideas Conference presented by ITC and held Oct. 15-16, 2020. This session originally occurred at 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2020. The tw...
Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Opening keynote speaker Carson King

Carson King is the accidental fundraiser turned philanthropist. What started as a joke at ESPN's "College Gameday" for the Iowa vs. Iowa State game in 2019 led to $600 dollars within a half hour to his Venmo account. King then decided to donate all the funds sent to his account to the University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital. Over t...