Applications now being accepted for the 2026 session of the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute. This training helps parents of children and youth with special health care needs:
Learn more about how to work most effectively with partners
Become aware of one's own path to leadership
Discover strategy for advocacy
Prepare a community service project.
Six training sessions will be held February-May 2026 in-person and via Zoom.
We’re still riding the wave of excitement from celebrating 10 incredible years of the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute (IFLTI)! Over the past decade, IFLTI has empowered families, built leaders, and strengthened communities across Iowa—and we’re just getting started. As we look ahead to the next 10 years, we need your help to keep the momentum going! We’ve launched a short-term fundraising campaign through the University of Iowa’s GOLDrush platform to help secure the future of family leadership in our state.
Here’s how you can help:
* Spread the word on social media or with friends and colleagues
* Consider a gift to support the future of IFLTI
* Your voice matters—and together, we can ensure another decade of impact for families, children, and communities across Iowa.
Here is a recording of the Ten-Year Celebration. https://youtu.be/NGaXCXYQv9k
Storytelling for Family Leaders is a virtual training developed in consultation with the Iowa Department of Education based on the Parents as Presenters program. This training includes an in-person orientation, online modules, and Zoom sessions for peer coaching to help families develop a 10 minute story to be used as part of their advocacy efforts. Click here for information on Fall 2025 offering.
Digital Storytelling is an in-person training based on The StoryCenter model which helps families produce a three minute video with voiceover, visual images, and effects.
The Community Service Project is an integral part of the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute. It provides an opportunity for trainees to apply lessons and skills learned during the in-person part of the training. All trainees come to the training with experience advocating for their children with special needs at the individual or family level.
As they work on their Community Service Projects, they are able to leverage that experience at the community or systems level. Doing so will most likely require new resources and new partners. Individual mentors work with trainees to make connections and develop projects that have impact.
