EveryStep’s Healthy Start program and the Community Action Network are hosting a free event for new and expecting families on Saturday, May 13th from 11am to 2:30pm at Hiatt Middle School (1214 E 15^th St) in Des Moines. This Baby Bloom event is a resource fair and community building event for pregnant and one-year postpartum families designed to raise awareness, and provide education and support for healthy pregnancies and babies! This event is a celebration of Black Motherhood!

This is a free community event with food, children’s activities, music, and a raffle to win car seats, gift cards, a crib and mattress, a stroller and more. The first 200 attendees will receive a free lunch as well! In addition, attendees can:

Find out how to get free baby supplies, including diapers, car seats, formula and more.
Get access to resources like WIC, Hawki (low-cost or free health insurance), transportation and other support services.
Learn how to stay healthy before, during and after pregnancy.
Learn how to navigate your health and your baby’s health when talking to doctors or providers.
Visit with a nurse, and get free iron and blood pressure checks (for pregnant individuals).

For more information about EveryStep’s Heathy Start program and to find support for your pregnancy and family with children up to age 6, visit https://www.everystep.org/provider-resources/healthy-start-and-empowerment-family-support-projects/healthy-start. For information about the Community Action Network and its partners, visit https://www.everystep.org/provider-resources/community-action-network/CAN.

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How Does Sensory Input Impact Someone with Autism? Lunch and Learn

Join in on How Does Sensory Input Impact Someone with Autism, a Lunch and Learn put on by the Autism Society of Iowa on April 26th from 12-1pm.

Objectives:

To learn from those living with Autism how they are impacted by sensory input
Learn about coping mechanisms that the panelists use for sensory input.
Learn about the Autism Barefoot Challenge created by panelist Tyler Leech.

Sleep and Autism Lunch and Learn

Join in on Sleep and Austism Lunch and Learn put on by The Autism Society of Iowa on April 19th at 12-1pm.

Objectives:

Increase understanding of the prevalence of different types of sleep difficulties in autistic children and adults
Increase awareness of the relationship between sleep and physical and behavioral health
Improved familiarity with approaches for improving sleep quality

Care Corridor Resource Fair

Check out the Care Corridor Resource Fair on March 30th from 4-8pm at DMARC, 100 Army Post Road. Join in to find community resources!

Together We Can Conference 2023

Register now for the Together We Can Conference 2023 on Saturday, May 6^th from 8am-4pm at the Varied Industries Conference Center (3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines)! Join in this statewide conference made for people with disabilities, their families, and those who work to support them! Registration closes April 24, 2023. This conference is free for families or $50 for professionals. Register at: Register here: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ejl6x47kaf81baaf&oseq=&c=&ch=

The Mystery of Risk: Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and the Vulnerable Child Seminar

Seminar held on Thursday, March 23rd from 9am-4:30pm in Council Bluffs, IA. It will discuss the effects of prenatal substance exposure and demonstrate the changes and impacts on learning and behavior of these children. The seminar will be featuring Dr. Ira Chasnoff. Registration and details: tinyurl.com/swiowadec .

Foster/Adoptive Family Resource Fair

Families Helping Families is hosting their Foster/Adoptive Family Resource Fair again this year! This year will be focusing on resources tied into mental health and diagnosis support for physical/behavioral diagnoses. The Resource Fair is free to attend and will have a special guest speaker, Amber Jewell! The event will be held on Saturday, April 22^nd from 1-3:30pm at Grant Wood AEA in Cedar Rapids, IA (4401 6^th Street SW). Childcare will be provided for ages 4 and up. For more information contact, 319-294-9706 or email office@fhfia.org

Fi and Friends Autism Resource Fair

Fi and Friends is hosting an Autism Resource Fair on April 15^th from 10am-4pm at the Horizon Events Center (2100 NW 100^th Street, Clive). The Resource Fair will focus on bringing organizations together that can help answer questions about how they can support and benefit your kiddo before, during, and after and ASD diagnosis. You will be able to learn from a variety of therapists, developmental specialists, education professionals, family support services, and more!

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Autism Basics Webinar Series-Educational Programming

Join in on the Autism Basics Webinar Series hosted by Kelly Pelzel, PHD. This is a free webinar series for parents or primary caregivers of children with a new autism diagnosis. This is Week 4: Educational Programming. Everyone is welcome to attend, but some content will be Iowa specific. To register visit: https://uiowa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q40l_pdESsehc6t3Doauvw. The sessions will be recorded for later viewing and this webinar is approved for foster parent training credit. For more information on this webinar series email Erika Hertel, erika-hertel@uiowa.edu

Baby Bloom Event