Policy Briefs & Toolkits
Parent Expert Panels Report
September 14 ,2026
IMPACT Team key themes and findings from our conversations with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IDHHS) Parent Expert Panels. We spoke to English and Spanish-speaking parents.
Mothers’ Voices on Mental Health and Home Visiting in Iowa & Indiana
The findings from interviews with mothers across Iowa and Indiana emphasized the importance of mental health care that includes the whole family and reflects their cultural and religious values. Some of the key barriers to accessing home visiting programs (HVPs) included fear of stigma and judgment, cultural mismatch, and logistical challenges. Moving forward, the findings will guide the integration of Mothers & Babies into HVPs to expand mental health support for mothers in Iowa and Indiana.