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History

Children & Families of Iowa has been restoring hope, building futures and changing lives for Iowa’s most vulnerable children, families and communities for 135 years. The organization was started in 1888 as a response to a growing need for safe, loving homes for abandoned, neglected and “unwanted” children in Iowa. Since then Children & Families of Iowa has touched over a million lives.

From a small adoption agency serving a few hundred children to a statewide organization serving more than 35,000 people every year, the organization has grown by adhering to one, basic principle: every child, every family deserves to be safe. This tradition remains strong even today. Tough economic times are even tougher on those living with poverty, mental illness, addiction and family turmoil. As always, Children & Families of Iowa will be there finding new and creative ways to help Iowa’s families.

Timeline

1888

The Iowa Educational Aid Society is founded in Davenport, Iowa by a small group of ministers and lay people. Three principles are adopted as a foundation for the society’s work:

A family home is superior to an orphanage or other institution as a place to raise children.
There is a childless home for every homeless child.
An organization is needed as an intermediary between homeless children and childless homes.

This society evolves into the organization known today as Children & Families of Iowa.

1894

The organization’s name is changed to Iowa Children’s Home Society.

1895

Iowa Children’s Home Society’s headquarters is relocated to a private home in Des Moines.

1898

A children’s receiving home is built in Des Moines on East 9th Street near Union Park.

1917

The organization becomes an agency of the Public Welfare Bureau, now known as United Way.

1922

A new focus on pre-placement studies before matching children with prospective adoptive families is put in place.

1924

The State Bureau of Child Welfare began and the organization became licensed as a child placing agency.

1941

The Community Chest provides funding that began the organization’s work with at-risk children in their own homes.

1944

Iowa Children’s Home Society relocates its headquarters to downtown Des Moines, adds specialized resources to care for and place older children as well as those with emotional and behavioral problems.

1947

The first child psychiatrist is hired by the organization, and it adds a public relations department to improve the organization’s financial stability.

1949

Iowa Children’s Home Society is re-incorporated as a non-profit, charitable organization.

1954

The organization moves its headquarters to a remodeled residence at 2203 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.

1958

St. Monica’s School merges with the organization and becomes known as Casady Hall.

1962

A group home for adolescent girls is opened. Farrand House is named after Nellie and Roy Farrand who created a 10-year trust for it’s establishment.

1964

Headquarters is relocated to 1101 Walnut Street in Des Moines.

1965

The organization opens its first branch office in Fort Dodge.

1967

Casady Hall is replaced with a new residential group home.

1968

The Elizabeth S. Turner School begins operation out of the organization headquarters facility. This was a cooperative effort of the organization and the Des Moines Public School System to provide “last chance” opportunities for children who could not attend public school due to behavioral issues.

1968

To better reflect the scope of services offered the organization changes its name to Iowa Children’s and Family Services.

1970

Iowa Children’s and Family Services purchases and remodels a building in the Des Moines Model Cities area to house its Tiny Tots Child Care Center.

1972

The organization discontinues accepting applications from adoptive parents interested only in adopting “healthy, white infants.”

1975

Emergency Homemaker Services begins in an effort to help disrupted families.

1979

The Polk County Coalition of Battered Women requests that the organization oversee and operate its Family Violence Center.

1981

A group home for adolescent girls and in-home support services is established in Ottumwa by the organization.

1982

The organization establishes a group home for adolescent girls in Newton.

1983

Child Development Care Center merges with the organization becoming the Child Development Center.

1984

Iowa Children’s and Family Services Foundation is established and undertakes its first capital fund drive in an effort to provide building and endowment funds.

1985

The Council for Accreditation and Services for Families and Children gives the organization its highest possible rating.

1986

New statewide Domestic Abuse Hotline begins operating at the Family Violence Center.

1988

Iowa Children’s and Family Services celebrates its 100th anniversary.

1990

The organization builds a new Family Violence Center and opens a new headquarters facility at 1111 University Avenue in Des Moines.

1991

The Board of Directors votes to change the organization’s name to Children & Families of Iowa.

1992

Our Primary Purpose merges with the organization and Cornerstone Recovery is established in Ankeny, providing services for families with chemically dependent adolescents.

1997

Children & Families of Iowa begins to offer international adoption support.

1998

School-age children and children with severe behavioral problems are now eligible for enrollment at the Child Development Center, which includes Therapeutic Childcare.

1999

Website: www.cfiowa.org is launched.

2002

The organization receives a three-year Federal grant allowing Cornerstone Recovery to enhance its outpatient services.

2005

Children & Families of Iowa takes over operation of Teddy Bear Town at Scavo High School, allowing teen moms to graduate while providing quality and convenient on-site child care.

2006

The Compass Transitional Housing Project begins operation to help survivors of domestic violence establish and maintain violence-free independent lives through skill-building classes and affordable housing.

2008

Children & Families of Iowa receives a Federal grant to fund the Compass Transitional Housing Project and supporting services.

The organization begins a formalized outcomes project with the University of Iowa School of Social Work Research Division.

2009

A domestic violence law enforcement advocate position is added by the organization. This advocate is headquartered at the Des Moines Police Department and begins accompanying investigators as they interview victims. The advocate informs victims of services to them.

2010