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.
2026 Program Flyer Informational Video FAQ
Storytelling for Families
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.
Digital Storytelling
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.
See information on Fall 2026 offering.
Digital Storytelling application link: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8Aqqg973y4XCJG5
Additional Family Training Resources
Community Service Projects
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.
Click here for a summary of completed Community Service Projects.