Reentry Resources in Iowa (2025 Directory)
Jump to: Overview • Housing • Jobs • Legal Help • Credit & Money
Overview
Iowa’s reentry network blends state-run support from the Iowa Department of Corrections Reentry Services with community-based housing and employment programs. Transitional housing and reentry residences are available through nonprofit partners and faith-based groups, with stronger coverage in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport. Workforce help flows through IowaWORKS centers, registered apprenticeship pathways, and employer partnerships in manufacturing, logistics, and skilled trades.
Legal relief options include Iowa’s expungement process for certain offenses and court-based assistance through legal aid providers and pro-bono clinics. Access to services varies by county, and most programs require referrals, documentation, and engagement with supervision officers. Individuals are encouraged to start intake early to secure housing, employment training, and ID assistance before release.
Housing Assistance
| Program / Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Out Reentry Community | Transitional/supportive housing; include eligibility/referral notes. | Visit |
| Iowa DOC Turning Point Transitional Living House | Case management, rental aid, recovery support. | Visit |
| United Way of Central Iowa Re-Entry OpportUNITY workgroup | Regional provider; list city/coverage area. | Visit |
Job & Employer Programs
| Program / Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Workforce Development Returning Citizens Initiative | Helps returning citizens get job-ready through workforce coaches, skills assessments, resume and interview prep, and employer connections inside correctional facilities and after release. | Visit |
| Goodwill Reentry Employment Services (Iowa) | Provides job coaching, workplace readiness training, skills development, and employer partnerships to support returning citizens entering stable employment. | Visit |
| Iowa Department of Corrections – Vocational & Apprenticeship Programs | Offers in-facility vocational training and registered apprenticeships in trades like construction, welding, food service, and manufacturing, helping returning citizens gain industry-recognized credentials before release. | Visit |
Legal Help & Record Clearing
| Organization | Services | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Legal Aid | Free civil legal help and expungement assistance for low-income individuals, including criminal record relief, housing, benefits, and family issues. | Visit |
| Iowa Legal Help (Iowa Judicial Branch Resource) | Official state legal self-help site with court-approved expungement guidance, forms, instructions, and reentry legal resources. | Visit |
| University of Iowa College of Law – Citizen Lawyer Program / Legal Clinics | Law school-run clinics offering assistance with expungement petitions, civil legal matters, and reentry-related barriers, subject to availability. | Visit |
Credit & Financial Support
| Program | Focus | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Bank On (Iowa) | Helps people open safe, affordable bank accounts with no overdraft fees and guidance on rebuilding financial stability. | Visit |
| CCCS of Northeastern Iowa | Nonprofit credit counseling offering budgeting help, debt management plans, credit-building support, and secure card guidance. | Visit |
| Financial Empowerment Center | Free one-on-one financial coaching for debt payoff, credit rebuilding, banking access, and long-term financial planning. | Visit |