WDMCS Breakfast & Lunch Plans

School meals will continue to be free for West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) families during the 2021-22 school year due to a nationwide waiver that allows school districts to continue the Summer Food Service Program through June 2022.

Web page: WDMCS Nutrition Services

Des Moines Area Religious Council

Web Page: DMARC

DMARC food pantries that are located in our communities include:

• Clive Community Services
  • grab-and-go meals; food rescue distribution is being suspended.
  • Hours
    • Mondays: 4-7 p.m.
    • Fridays: 9 a.m. to noon
  • Pick up pre-bagged food in the parking lot, 2190 NW 82nd Street, Suite A, Clive.
• West Des Moines Human Services
  • curbside food pantry model
  • Hours
    • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    • Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. to noon
  • Pick up food at the back doors (southeast corner of building), 139 6th Street, West Des Moines.

AEA — Supporting Mental Health in Iowa Schools

Mental health professionals from Iowa’s nine Area Education Agencies (AEAs) recently collaborated to create a website for Iowans who are searching for mental health assistance. The website at www.IowaAEAMentalHealth.org came from a request by the state legislature to help educators, parents and students navigate resources related to mental health and well-being in Iowa.

CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)

Social-emotional learning resources designed to support educators, parents, and anyone who works with children during this COVID-19 period. (designed for grades 6-12)

Web Page: CASEL COVID-19 Resources

Crisis Support

In a crisis, or if you are in need of immediate support:

• call 911
• contact Employee Family Resources (EFR) at 1-800-327-4692 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• contact Iowa Crisis Chat at iowacrisischat.org or 1-855-325-4296
• contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 
  
  

Employee & Family Resources (EFR)

WDMCS partners with Employee & Family Resources (EFR) to support students, staff, and families through the Student Assistance Program and Employee Assistance Program.

• Employee Assistance Program: If you are looking to access the EAP, you can reach out to EFR via phone at 800-327-4692 or by email. In addition to phone and email, EFR has a web chat option here. Telehealth options are available in place of in-person counseling in many locations via Zoom or telephone effective March 18, 2020.
• Student Assistance Program: 24/7/365 phone support available. Zoom or phone assessment, referral, and brief counseling sessions also available. Effective March 23, 2020, EFR will be offering SAP sessions by phone to students who have been seen onsite at their school. To access services, please call 515-244-6090.

Web Page: EFR

Greater Good in Education—Berkeley

Social-emotional learning activities and practice resources, including themes of mindfulness, empathy, kindness & compassion, gratitude, and self-compassion. (designed for grades K-12)

Web Page: Greater Good in Education—Berkeley: All Practices

House of Mercy

House of Mercy has now joined the Mercy Pediatric and Neurology and Psychiatry Center, located at 411 Laurel St., Suite 3310 in Des Moines. House of Mercy has immediate openings for children and adolescents in need of mental health services, where it provides medication management, neurological evaluations and mental health therapy.

The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It is closed on Fridays.

Web Page: MercyOne Des Moines Pediatric Neurology and Psychiatry Care

Iowa Department of Public Health

The Iowa Department of Public Health provides resources and information to protect and improve the health of Iowans including promoting healthy living, assuring access to quality health services, and emergency preparation, response, and recovery. 

Web Page: Iowa Department of Public Health

Polk County Health Department

Serving a diverse Central Iowa community, Polk County is among the nation’s most innovative public institutions. They bring together creative leaders, collaborative organizations and key resources to empower communities and make life better for all people in Polk County.

Web Page: Polk County Health Department

UnityPoint Health Behavioral Health Urgent Care

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, along with Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services and Orchard Place/Child Guidance Center, works to provide mental health, psychiatric evaluation and assessment, addiction medicine, crisis services, and community resources to patients of all ages, both pediatric and adult.

The clinic will be open to patients from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. This is a walk-in site of care, no appointments available at this time.

Web Page: UnityPoint Health – Des Moines

University of Iowa TeleMobile Clinic

This is a University of Iowa student-run nonprofit organization that offers free basic healthcare services to anyone who needs it. They provide:

• free online/phone medical appointments,
• general health education, medication refills,
• discussion of COVID-19 concerns,
• social work appointments, and
• mental health referrals.
  
  

Patients do not need insurance. Services are available in English, Spanish, Arabic and French. Call or text 319-535-2684 to sign up.

Iowa Department of Public Health

Some populations are more at risk for coronavirus, or impacts of social distancing. IDPH has provided resources and information for people facing additional risk.

Web Page: COVID-19 Resources for Underserved Populations

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

The National Association of School Psychologists has compiled talking points and tips for talking with children about COVID-19 (designed for grades K-12)

Web Page: Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 

Please Pass the Love

In response to COVID-19, PPTL has created a response campaign called Storms Don’t Last Forever #SDLF with some online programming and resources for youth of all ages and educators.

Web page: Resources During COVID-19 for Youth, Families & Schools

Polk County Health Department

Polk County Health Department has several back-to-school resources for families, children, and schools including:

• COVID-19 fact sheet
• Eight Ways to Help Kids Adjust to Face Masks
• Checklist for parents
• Stay home when sick handout
• Why quarantine for 14 days handout

Web Page: Polk County Health Department: School COVID-19 Resources (K-12, Childcare, and Universities)

Polk County Health Services

In response to COVID-19, Polk County Health Services has provided several resources for social-emotional health.

Web Page: Polk County Health Services

WDMCS Tech Blog

Follow the WDMCS Technology Department blog for technology-related COVID-19 updates and all things tech about WDMCS.

Web Page: WDMCS Technology

Mediacom

If your child qualifies for free or reduced school lunches, you could qualify for discounted home internet from Mediacom as low as $10 per month.

Web Page: Connect 2 Compete

allconnect

Shop the best West Des Moines internet providers. Compare internet plan pricing and speeds from cable, DSL and fiber-optic providers in your area.

Web Page: allconnect

• findhelp.org - find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost program.
• Information for Undocumented Iowans (en español/English)
• Iowa Department of Revenue: Tax Implications for Iowans
• Iowa Workforce Development: COVID-19 Information Page
• United Way COVID-19 Community Economic Relief fund (support for bills, rent, and food)
• Iowa State University: Polk County Extension and Outreach Online Resources (reliable, research-based resources including resources for/about kids and youth, health and wellbeing, agriculture, and economic development, plus hotlines) 

City of Clive

• For updates and additional information, please follow the City of Clive on Facebook.

Web Page: City of Clive

Clive Community Services

Some services are closed during summer 2021 due to a recent fire in a neighboring unit. Visit the Clive Community Services website for updates on the: 

• Clothes Closet — seasonally appropriate clothing for adults and children
• Education — free English language classes for adults 

Free Clinic — Free mobile medical clinic services will be available 5-8 p.m. on:

• July 12
• July 19
• July 26 (tentative)
• Aug. 2
• Aug. 16

Pantry and Clothing Volunteer Sign-Up

Web Page: Clive Community Services

City of West Des Moines

• For updates and additional information, please follow the City of West Des Moines on Facebook and Twitter.

Web Page: City of West Des Moines

West Des Moines Human Services

• Clothing Closet: 8:30 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday
• Emergency Assistance Services: Please contact Program Outreach staff at 515-222-3660 or HumanSerivces@wdmc.iowa.gov to discuss your situation. Walk-ins welcome 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday or 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays.
• Free Medical Clinic: 7-8 p.m., Tuesdays (must check in by 7:30 p.m.)

Web Page: West Des Moines Human Services: Programs and Services

City of Windsor Heights

• For updates and additional information, please follow the City of Windsor Heights on Facebook and Twitter.

Web Page: City of Windsor Heights