Iowa’s Foster Care Crisis and Hope | Des Moines News

Des Moines News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 30, 2026 · 1m

Iowa’s foster care system is in crisis—1,500 kids need homes, but only 650 licensed foster homes exist. To fix it, the state slashed initial training from 30 to 16 hours and made the rest more tailored to kids’ needs. But the real challenge? Getting enough people to open their homes. Many fear emotional attachment, but foster care experts say stability and love are exactly what these kids need. The state’s pushing for more homes, hoping the new training will inspire more people to step up—so kids stay close to their schools, friends, and families. Want to help? Start with an online…