ASK Resource Center

11/17/2025

💙 Be informed. Be prepared. Be your child’s best advocate. 💙
Join ASK Resource Center this fall for our free ASK Each Other In-Person Support Groups happening across Iowa!
These monthly meetups are a safe, welcoming space where parents and caregivers of children with disabilities can connect, share experiences, and support one another.
🗓️ November’s Topic: FAQ About IEPs — plus anything else group members bring to discuss
🗓️ December’s Topic: How to Prepare for Your Child’s IEP Meeting or Medical Appointment — plus anything else group members bring to discuss
📍 Held in communities across Iowa
💬 No registration required — just show up!
🔗 Find a group near you: https://www.askresource.org/inpersonsupportgroup
✨ Come to listen, share, and connect with families who truly understand.

Join ASK Resource Center’s ASK Each Other in-person support group for Iowa families of children with disabilities and special health care needs.

11/13/2025

As the federal government reopens, Iowa HHS will issue full SNAP benefits for the month of November.

Benefits are being loaded onto cards now and could be available later today. We anticipate that all SNAP benefits will be issued by Friday, Nov. 14, and recommend that SNAP recipients check their EBT card balances before making a purchase.

You can check your EBT balance by calling the number on the back of your card, 800-359-5802, logging into your ConnectEBT account online, or using the ConnectEBT Mobile app.

11/13/2025

📣 Applications Now Open!

Are you a parent or primary caregiver of an Iowa child or youth ages 3–19 with special health care needs?

The Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute (IFLTI) is now accepting applications for its 2026 cohort! This no-cost training helps families build advocacy skills, strengthen communication with providers and schools, and learn how to influence systems that impact children with special needs.

🟡 What you’ll gain:
✅ Strategies for effective partnerships
✅ New tools for advocacy
✅ Support to complete a Community Service Project
✅ Connections with experienced family leaders

🗓 Training includes virtual and in-person sessions (Ames + Des Moines)
📅 Applications due January 14, 2026

🔗 Apply starting November 12: https://bit.ly/IFLTI26

📞 Questions? Contact the IFLTI team listed on the flyer.

11/12/2025

💙 Be informed. Be prepared. Be your child’s best advocate. 💙

Join ASK Resource Center this fall for our free ASK Each Other In-Person Support Groups happening across Iowa!

These monthly meetups are a safe, welcoming space where parents and caregivers of children with disabilities can connect, share experiences, and support one another.

🗓️ November’s Topic: FAQ About IEPs — plus anything else group members bring to discuss
🗓️ December’s Topic: How to Prepare for Your Child’s IEP Meeting or Medical Appointment — plus anything else group members bring to discuss

📍 Held in communities across Iowa
💬 No registration required — just show up!

🔗 Find a group near you: https://www.askresource.org/inpersonsupportgroup

✨ Come to listen, share, and connect with families who truly understand.

11/12/2025

If you have already created an account with the ACHIEVE Family Portal, you can see your child’s Early ACCESS and Special Education records. You can use this site to access the account at any time.

11/11/2025

Don't forget we have a sister site for all things regarding transitioning to post-secondary education!

🎓 Iowa’s Minimum Graduation Requirements
(For ALL Students)

In Iowa, state graduation requirements are often referred to as 4-3-3-3 — or “4 triple 3.”
Here’s what that means:

✅ 4 years of English Language Arts
✅ 3 years of Math
✅ 3 years of Social Studies
✅ 3 years of Science
✅ Completion of the local school district’s Physical Education (P.E.) expectations

📌 IMPORTANT NOTE:
Local school districts can (and often do) add more graduation requirements.

Examples may include:
✅ Specific math courses such as Algebra, Geometry, or Calculus
✅ CPR requirement
✅ Fine arts or foreign language
✅ Additional electives

Always check your district’s specific requirements — they may go beyond the state minimum.

11/11/2025

📅 Plan ahead with ASK Resource Center!

Our ASK an Expert webinars AND our ASK Each Other virtual support groups are already scheduled out through March — so you can browse, save dates, and register early for the sessions that matter most to you and your family.

We’ve got a full lineup of topics, IDEA principles, family-centered supports, and conversation spaces coming up — and you can explore all upcoming events in one place.

🔗 View all events & register here: https://www.askresource.org/events

Save the link, share it, and mark your calendars! 💛

11/11/2025

You may have questions about the ACHIEVE Family Portal. The Iowa Department of Education has a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Use this helpful sheet to get answers to commonly asked questions.

Frequently asked questions about the ACHIEVE Family Portal for families.

11/10/2025

11/10/2025

Are you wondering how to get started with the ACHIEVE Family Portal? The Iowa Department of Education created a quick start guide to help you. This helpful guide will provide steps to help you access your account.

https://educate.iowa.gov/media/10903/download?inline

Having trouble accessing the portal? Reach out to the ACHIEVE Family Portal Support Center.

11/10/2025

📣 Register now for our next ASK an Expert webinar!

Up next in our IDEA principles series — Principle #5: Parent and Student Participation. Families play a powerful role in special education decision-making, and this session will explore how parents and students can stay actively involved in shaping services, goals, and outcomes.

🗓 Date: November 24
⏰ Noon – 1:00pm (CT)
💻 Virtual Webinar

Join us as we break down why participation matters, what meaningful involvement looks like, and how to strengthen advocacy at every step.

🔗 Register here: https://www.askresource.org/events/november-24-ask-an-expert---six-principles-of-idea-principle-5-parent-and-student-participation

11/07/2025

The ACHIEVE Family Portal has many helpful features for families. ASK has collaborated with the Iowa Department of Education to create a helpful video walking you through the key features. Check out the video to see the benefits of the portal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1LcDhDIUV8

Having trouble accessing the portal? Reach out to the ACHIEVE Family Portal Support Center.

In this video, the ACHIEVE Family Portal, supported by the ASK Resource Center and Iowa Department of Education, is introduced as a tool for families of chil...