Media Kit

Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is one of Iowa’s largest human services agencies with over 1,000 employees. We are a nationally accredited agency, providing services in all 99 counties of Iowa and with over 20 locations throughout the state.

Our staff includes experts in the fields of child welfare, mental health, parent education, child abuse prevention, foster care, adoption, disability services, refugee services, behavior management, home health care and many other areas.

LSI believes in giving voice to those who are not heard. See our advocacy impact points for the 2011 legislative session.

• When it comes to child abuse, prevention makes cents. For every dollar invested in early childhood, research suggests communities can gain over $7 in future savings.
• Many parents who grew up in unstable home environments missed an opportunity to benefit from a positive parent role model. LSI helps fill that gap through strength-based, accredited early childhood programs.
• With a safe and healthy start, a child is less likely to be involved in juvenile court or child welfare, and more likely to succeed in education and the workplace. Investment in early childhood is investment in economic development.

• LSI is the only nonprofit agency in Des Moines with a primary focus to provide extended support services for people of refugee status in Polk County. For decades, LSI has partnered with people from countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Iraq, Bhutan, Liberia, Burma, Eritrea, Burundi and the Congo.
• Those entering the U.S. with refugee status arrive with long-term needs, but resettlement happens in a flash. Families are provided a mere 90 days of support upon arrival and are expected to learn many new systems in America such as health care, education, public transportation and more.
• LSI fills the gap by providing elderly services, intensive work readiness courses, capacity building initiatives and English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED prep classes based at our Refugee Connection Center.

• Because of LSI’s scope and size, we are able to offer a holistic continuum of care that can wrap services around a family in many ways. For example, a child in our residential program may also have a sibling back home who could benefit from a local community program or follow-up services if the child’s home is in another county.
• Best practice acknowledges effective child welfare or mental health services treat a family as a whole, rather than one individual within the family. Unfortunately, funding streams often evolve separately, leading to fragmented rather than comprehensive treatment. See how LSI is on the forefront of a new approach in our residential programs.
• We also act as a bridge connecting families to other services. We may assist a family through in-home services or parenting classes and end up linking them with a local dental clinic, work assistance programs or other resources.

• As Iowa’s population ages, access to quality, affordable health care will be more important than ever. Helping a person remain at home is a matter of dignity and comfort. It can also reduce costs through prevention and improve quality of life.
• In fiscal year 2009, LSI made 48,695 home health care visits to both children and adults and 9,035 skilled nursing visits.

• Many of us know a neighbor, a family friend or relative who has a disability. LSI helps people with disabilities live in the community through home and community-based supports.
• In 2009, LSI provided over 273,000 hours of respite care to give relief to family caregivers, which is important in keeping people out of institutions.

• LSI is a partner agency in Iowa KidsNet, the statewide collaboration of six nonprofit agencies that recruits, trains, licenses and supports all of Iowa’s foster and adoptive families through a contract with the Iowa Department of Human Services.
• In 2009, the average number of Iowa children in foster care, shelter care, or a highly structured group care placement in any given month was nearly 3,400 children.