Axis Family Resource Guide
National, Iowa statewide, and local resources organized for Axis families by clinic community.
Tip: phone numbers, addresses, and official websites are emphasized on each card so families can act quickly.
Start here
If a family is not sure where to begin, these are helpful first calls and first clicks.
Early ACCESS
Iowa early intervention support for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or conditions likely to cause delay.
Phone: 1-888-425-4371
ASK Resource Center
Iowa’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center for IEP and special-education help.
Iowa 211
Social-service referrals for food, housing, utilities, crisis support, and other immediate family needs.
Phone: 211
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support.
Phone: 988
National resources & organizations
Broad support, toolkits, advocacy, and education for families navigating autism, developmental disability, and transition planning.
Autism Society of America
National autism organization with a helpline, trained Information & Referral specialists, and the Autism Source resource database.
Phone: 800-328-8476
Email: Info@AutismSociety.org
Autism Speaks
Evidence-based information, family toolkits, the 100 Day Kit, and state insurance resources.
Phone: 1-888-288-4762 English; 1-888-772-9050 Spanish
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Nonprofit run by and for autistic people, with plain-language toolkits, parent guides, and self-advocacy resources.
Address: PO Box 66122, Washington, DC 20035
The Arc of the United States
National advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including future planning and local chapters.
Sibling Support Project
Support for siblings of people with disabilities, including Sibshops and online sibling communities.
Email: info@siblingsupport.org
Center for Parent Information and Resources
National hub supporting Parent Training and Information Centers with special education information and family resources.
AFIRM Modules
Free online modules on evidence-based practices for autism spectrum disorder.
ASAN Transition Resources
Transition-to-adulthood resources for youth, families, and caregivers.
Iowa statewide resources
State programs, funding pathways, advocacy organizations, and support networks families may need while planning care and services.
Iowa Family Support Network
Statewide information and referral system for families with young children, including Children at Home program information.
Phone: 1-888-425-4371
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Iowa Medicaid
Medicaid information, member services, and coverage questions, including EPSDT benefits for children under 21.
Phone: 1-800-338-8366
Iowa HCBS Waivers
Home and community-based services waiver information, including application pathways and waitlist considerations.
Phone: 1-877-347-5678
Iowa Autism Support Program
HHS program that may help fund ABA for eligible children who are not eligible for Medicaid or private insurance coverage.
Email: AutismSupport@hhs.iowa.gov
Autism Society of Iowa
Statewide affiliate providing advocacy, support, information, education conferences, and support groups.
Phone: (515) 327-9075
Email: autismsocietyiowa@gmail.com
Regional Autism Assistance Program
Family navigators, screenings, care planning, and referrals for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Phone: 866-219-9119 ext. 2
Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council
Advocacy resources and systems support for people with developmental disabilities.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Employment services and Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with disabilities ages 14-21.
Iowa Department of Education
Special education programs, AEA information, and Iowa Autism Council resources.
Lutheran Services in Iowa
Individual and group respite, counseling, family support, and disability services across Iowa.
Email: Respite@LSIowa.org
Iowa Family Services
Statewide respite in the home, a provider’s home, or the community.
Ames resources
Education, inclusive recreation, and family support resources around Ames and Story County.
Heartland AEA - Ames
Special education, Early ACCESS, evaluations, and school support services.
Phone: 515-232-7583 or 800-375-6817
Address: 511 S. 17th Street, Ames, IA 50010
Ames Community School District
Local school district special education support and evaluation pathways.
Phone: 515-268-6616
Address: 2005 24th St., Ames, IA
Adaptive Sports Iowa
Adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball, beep baseball, adaptive cycling, and wheelchair tennis.
Ames Miracle Field & Inclusive Playground
Accessible playground and Miracle League ball field at Inis Grove Park.
Address: 2500 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA
Mid-Iowa Community Action
Food pantry, LIHEAP energy assistance, WIC, rent and utility help.
Phone: 515-956-3333
Address: 230 SE 16th Street, Ames, IA
LSI Ames
Counseling, family support, respite, and People Place family resource center.
Phone: 515-233-1677
Ankeny resources
Education, recreation, and basic-needs resources around Ankeny and Polk County.
Heartland AEA - Ankeny
Special education, Early ACCESS, evaluations, and school support services.
Phone: 515-809-5300 or 877-425-8833
Address: 215 N.W. 18th Street, Suite 107, Ankeny, IA 50023
Ankeny Community School District
Local school district special education support and evaluation pathways.
Phone: 515-965-9600
Address: 306 SW School St., Ankeny, IA
Ankeny Kiwanis Miracle League & Miracle Park
Non-competitive baseball and all-inclusive playground for children and adults with special needs.
Phone: 515-963-3575 weather hotline
Address: 300 NW School St., Ankeny, IA
Ankeny Super Kids
Ankeny Parks & Recreation and Kiwanis programs for the special-needs community.
DMARC Food Pantry Network
Food pantry network serving Ankeny and the Des Moines metro.
Phone: Hope Ankeny pantry: 515-964-5586; North Polk pantry: 515-965-0433
IMPACT Community Action Partnership
Food and financial assistance in Ankeny, Boone, Des Moines, and surrounding communities.
West Des Moines resources
Education, inclusive recreation, and family support resources around West Des Moines.
Heartland AEA - Johnston HQ
AEA support for West Des Moines families and schools.
Phone: 800-362-2720
Address: 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
West Des Moines Community Schools
Local school district special education support and evaluation pathways.
Phone: 515-633-5000
Address: 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA
Can Play
Adaptive and inclusive recreation programs in the Des Moines metro.
West Des Moines Human Services
DMARC food pantry location and human services support.
Phone: 515-222-3660
Address: 139 6th Street, West Des Moines, IA
Clear Lake resources
Education, family navigation, food support, and disability services around Clear Lake and Cerro Gordo County.
Central Rivers AEA - Clear Lake
Special education, early childhood referral, evaluations, and school support.
Phone: 641-329-4200 or 800-392-6640
Address: 9184 265th Street, Suite B, Clear Lake, IA 50428
Clear Lake Community School District
Local school district special education support and evaluation pathways.
Phone: 641-357-2181
Address: 1529 3rd Ave N, Clear Lake, IA 50428
RAP - Mason City
Family navigation and screenings through Child Health Specialty Clinics.
Address: 687 S. Taft Avenue, Suite 1, Mason City, IA
Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank
Food bank serving a 10-county region.
Phone: 641-424-3073
Address: 122 S. Adams Ave., Mason City, IA
Clear Lake-Ventura Food Pantry
Local food pantry serving the Clear Lake-Ventura community.
Phone: 641-357-3663
Address: 508 2nd Ave N, Clear Lake, IA
LSI Mason City
Counseling, family support, and disability services.
Phone: 641-423-1083; central intake 888-457-4692
Address: 2502 S. Jefferson Ave., Mason City, IA
Fort Dodge resources
Education, recreation, food support, family navigation, and disability services around Fort Dodge and Webster County.
Prairie Lakes AEA
Special education, evaluations, and school support services.
Phone: 866-540-3858
Address: 1235 5th Ave. S., Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Fort Dodge Community School District
Local school district special education support and evaluation pathways.
Phone: 515-576-1161
Address: 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA
RAP - Fort Dodge
Family navigation, screenings, and referrals through Child Health Specialty Clinics.
Facing Autism Inc.
Fort Dodge nonprofit raising autism awareness and acceptance through inclusive community events and education.
Fort Dodge Parks & Recreation
Adaptive swim lessons and inclusive recreation opportunities.
Upper Des Moines Opportunity
Food pantry, FaDSS, LIHEAP, weatherization, Head Start, and other community action supports.
Phone: 515-576-7774
Address: 704 Central Ave, Fort Dodge, IA
LSI Fort Dodge
Counseling, BHIS, family support, and disability services.
Phone: 515-955-2199; central intake 888-457-4692
Statewide advocacy & legal
Organizations families can contact for disability-rights advocacy, benefits questions, and legal support.
Disability Rights Iowa
Iowa’s federally designated Protection & Advocacy organization.
Phone: 515-278-2502 or 800-779-2502; Relay 711
Address: 606 Walnut St., Suite 2220, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Arc of Iowa
Statewide advocacy organization with local affiliates across Iowa.
Phone: 515-478-4827
Address: 1111 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
Iowa Legal Aid
Free legal help for low-income Iowans on Medicaid, waivers, and benefits.
Phone: 800-532-1503
Quick-start recommendations
- Newly diagnosed or under age 3: call Early ACCESS and contact ASK Resource Center.
- Age 3+: request a school evaluation in writing and connect with the correct AEA.
- Funding: verify insurance coverage, Medicaid/EPSDT benefits, HCBS waiver options, and Autism Support Program eligibility.
- Respite and family support: contact LSI and Iowa Family Support Network for program fit.
- Community and recreation: explore Miracle Leagues, Adaptive Sports Iowa, inclusive parks, and local family organizations.
- Crisis or immediate needs: use 988 for crisis support and 211 for social-service referrals.
Note: Programs, phone numbers, eligibility, and staff contacts can change. Verify with the official source before acting.