Finding Answers Now
Unexpected events, such as natural disasters or economic downturns impact margins, but also have an impact far beyond the farm. There is a human side to the economic stress. As Iowans deal with disruptions to their families and communities, these resources provide information to help you cope with concerns about stress and relationships, personal finance, and nutrition and wellness.
Hotlines
Iowa Concern - 1-800-447-1985
A confidential, free resource answered 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Language interpretation available. Dial 711 for TTY/TDD.
- 24/7 Phone Support - Trained staff take your calls via a toll-free hotline at 1-800-447-1985.
- Email an Expert - Send your questions related to legal issues, finances, stress and crisis or disaster to our staff.
- Live Chat - One-on-one, secure communication through typed text with a stress counselor.
AnswerLine
Information and resources for consumers with home and family questions.
Toll-free Monday through Friday, 9am - noon and 1 - 4pm.
- 1-800-262-3804 (in Iowa)
- 1-800-854-1678 (in Minnesota)
- 1-800-735-2942 (Relay Iowa phone linkage for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Information
Stress
- Stress: Taking Charge / Estrés: Cómo tomar el contro
- All About Stress | Todo sobre el estrés
- Coping with Unemployment | Cómo LIDIAR con el desempleo
- Using What You Have to Get What You Want | Usa lo que tienes para alcanzar lo que quieres
- Helping Children Manage Stress
- Common Stresses for Parents of Teens
- Managing Stress in Later Life Families
- Managing Stress in Young Families
- Managing Stress in Midlife Families
- Controlling Stress, University of Minnesota Extension
- Managing Farm Stress - Michigan State Extension
- Farm Stress - North Dakota State University
Relationships
- Encouraging a Friend to Seek Professional Help
- How to Help "When You Don’t Know What to Say"
- Moving to a New Home -- Understanding Children
- Coping with Stress and Change, Divorce Matters
Finance
- Identity Theft / Security Breach
- Financial Recovery After Disaster - Video Series, University of Minnesota Extension; North Dakota State University Extension
- Disaster Recovery Toolkit, University of Minnesota Extension and North Dakota State University Extension
- Setting Your Spending Priorities | ¿Cómo establecer las prioridades de gastos?, University of Minnesota Extension
- Strategies for Spending Less, University of Minnesota Extension
- Making the Most of What You Have, University of Minnesota Extension
- Planning to $tay Ahead | Planear para $alir Adelante
- Tracking Your Spending | Como Seguir La Pista de Sus
- eXtension’s Financial Security: Managing Money in Tough Times resources
- Adjusting to Income Loss - University of Minnesota
- Managing Income and Expenses, Divorce Matters
Food Safety
Stretching Your Food Dollar
- Spend Smart. Eat Smart. - recipes and ideas to help you eat healthy, save money, and save money in each aisle of the grocery store.
- Stretching Your Food Dollar | Cómo hacer rendir el dinero para alimentos, University of Minnesota Extension
- Choose MyPlate’s Healthy Eating on a Budget
- Learn if you are eligible for Iowa Food Assistance or the Iowa WIC Program. Both programs provide food benefits to eligible families.
- Find a food pantry site near you by entering your zip code on the Food Bank of Iowa page.
Other Resources
- Ag Decision Maker’s Changing Farm Financial Conditions – family financial tools and resources for handling communications, family stress and coping with change and contact information for specialists willing to help during these tough times
- Disaster Recovery Resources
- Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) - information and resources in six categories: Agricultural Disasters, Families and Communities, Hazards and Threats, Human Health, Disaster Watch
- Your Disaster Checklist - a checklist to help consumers gather the financial information they would need after an emergency, developed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau