The Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) brings strength to Iowa's rich heritage. Our three divisions - Community Action Agencies, Community Advocacy and Services, and Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning - work to reduce cultural, social, and economic barriers to opportunities for Iowans to succeed.
Disaster Assistance
Governor Kim Reynolds has issued disaster proclamations for the counties of Linn, Monroe, Wapello, Davis, and Van Buren. The proclamations activate the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Management Program. Information on program details, applications, and deadlines for each county are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website.
Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program
The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. Applications must be turned into your local community action agency.
Disaster Case Management Program
The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor's proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action agency or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.
Additional Resources
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for racial and ethnic minority groups to get access to mental health and substance-use treatment services. For resources, visit HHS-OMS.
Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL)
Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) - or - email DIAL@n4a.org
The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) helps people with disabilities find local vaccination locations, assist callers with making vaccination appointments, and connects callers to local services – such as accessible transportation – to overcome barriers to vaccination. The hotline also can provide information and resources to answer questions and address concerns about the vaccines and can connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation. For more information, see visit https://acl.gov/DIAL.
FEMA Amends COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Policy
FEMA is amending its COVID-19 funeral assistance policy to assist with COVID-19 related fatalities that occurred in the early months of the pandemic.
This policy change will allow applicants to submit a statement or letter from the death certificate’s certifying official, medical examiner, or coroner that attributes the death to COVID-19 fatalities that occurred between January 20 and May 16, 2020.
Individuals who would like to apply for assistance should call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline toll free, at 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday. Multilingual services available. Applicants who use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service so agency representatives are able to contact them. Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Read more...
COVID-19 Language Resources
American Sign Language Videos-CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Resources for Limited English Proficient Populations
Congolese Health Partnership Videos
Coronavirus, State Website
Crescent Community Health Center-Marshallese Language
EMBARC Ethnic Minorities of Burma and Advocacy and Resource Center
Hawaii Office of Language Access-Youtube
Iowa Department of Human Rights-Language Access
Iowa Department of Public Health
Iowa Spanish Helpline 515-344-3936
Multi-Lingual Hotline 1-877-558-2609
Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa
Test Iowa-Free COVID-19 Testing (Spanish available)
Previous Newsletters
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Iowa Department of Human Rights Lucas State Office Building 321 E 12th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 515-242-5640 or 1-800-351-4659 Contact Us Form
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