Iowa

Facilities in Iowa

Residential facilities providing religious, behavioral, and mental health treatment to children exist in all 50 states. Some of these facilities are known to be part of the Troubled Teen Industry, while others have not yet been verified. Any facility where children live and receive care requires additional oversight. This directory helps communities monitor local programs and advocate for accountability.

Reporting abuse in Iowa

Iowa runs a separate number for abuse suspected inside a licensed facility or program, distinct from the general child abuse hotline - use it if what happened was inside a program. Iowa also folded its Board of Psychology into the Board of Behavioral Health Professionals in 2024, so one board now covers psychologists along with counselors and social workers. And the Iowa Office of Ombudsman covers both the licensing boards and Health and Human Services, which makes it the escalation route when either one stalls.

Time limits in Iowa: a general guide

This was correct as far as we could tell when we checked it on 28 September 2026. Laws on time limits change often, sometimes every legislative session, so some of what follows may have been updated since. It is a starting point, not legal advice: please check with a lawyer before relying on any date here. A time limit on a lawsuit or a criminal charge is also not a time limit on telling someone, and most of the places listed below will still take a report.

Time limits for abuse of a child often run from the survivor's 18th birthday, or from when they came to understand what happened, rather than from the day the program closed. Many states have lengthened them, removed them for child sexual abuse, or reopened claims that had already expired. A criminal charge, a lawsuit and a licence complaint each have their own time limit, so one having passed does not necessarily mean the others have.

Lawsuits

Physical abuse or injury: Two years from the injury for any personal injury claim, including assault, battery, false imprisonment and negligence. Iowa Code § 614.1(2)
If it happened before you turned 18: Less certain Yes. As of July 1, 2026, someone injured as a child has until five years after turning 18 (age 23) to sue. Before that change the extension was only one year after turning 18. It also applies to claims against the state and local governments. Iowa Code § 614.8(2), as amended by 2026 Iowa Acts, HF 1036, § 5 (effective July 1, 2026)
If the program was run by or for the government: Against the State of Iowa, a written claim must be filed with the Department of Management within two years; the State cannot be sued for assault, battery or false imprisonment. Against a city, county or school district, the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the injury. Minors get the extension described above in both cases. Iowa Code §§ 669.13(1), 669.14(4), 670.5
Child sexual abuse: The civil SOL for CSA, trafficking, and CSAM claims is age 19 against all defendants, with some limited rules for abuse by a counselor, instructor, or school employee, and a discovery rule of 2 to 4 years. CHILD USA's summary

Criminal charges

Physical child abuse: Less certain Felony child endangerment against a child under 18 (causing bodily injury, serious injury or death) can be charged at any time; there is no deadline. Misdemeanor child endangerment must be charged within 3 years. Iowa Code § 802.2B(6); § 726.6(5)-(7); § 802.3
Assault: Felony assault (for example, assault causing serious injury) must be charged within 3 years. Iowa uses the same 3 years for aggravated and serious misdemeanor assault; simple misdemeanor assault must be charged within 1 year. Iowa Code §§ 802.3, 802.4, 708.2
Child sexual abuse: There is no SOL for all CSA, trafficking, and CSAM felonies and misdemeanors. CHILD USA's summary

The injury, assault and physical abuse lines are our reading of the statutes linked, as they stood on 28 September 2026. The child sexual abuse lines are CHILD USA's summary as it stood on 28 September 2026; their page may be more current than ours. In them SOL means statute of limitations, CSA child sexual abuse, and CSAM child sexual abuse material. "Less certain" marks a line where the law is unclear or where our reading has not been confirmed, so please treat it with extra care. Exceptions, court rulings and the details of what happened can all change which time limit applies, and some of these may be longer or shorter for you than they look here. CHILD USA's statute of limitations tracker, updated as each state changes its law. A lawyer can tell you which time limit applies to you, and many offer a free first consultation.

The therapist's licensing board

Holds the individual clinician's licence and can suspend or revoke it.

Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals

Multiple professions

Receives and investigates complaints against mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, behavior analysts and - since the boards merged under 2024 Iowa Acts SF 2385 - psychologists, and disciplines their licences. Iowa publishes its discipline documents.

Use this whenAny licensed behavioral health professional in Iowa. Anyone may file: a patient, a family member, anyone else.

HowFile through the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing complaints page, which routes it to the right board.

Iowa law keeps the complainant's information confidential.

The agency that licenses the program

Inspects the facility itself and can cite, fine, suspend or close it.

Iowa HHS facility licensing and certification

Licenses and certifies Iowa's residential facilities and programs for children, and takes the complaints about abuse inside them through its dedicated facility reporting line.

Use this whenA licensed Iowa facility or program.

HowUse the facility abuse line for abuse inside a licensed program, and the Department's contacts page for anything else.

1-877-686-0027 For abuse suspected in a licensed facility or program.
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Law enforcement and legal channels

Child protection, the Attorney General, and the criminal side.

Iowa reporting of abuse in a licensed facility

The route Iowa gives for abuse suspected inside a licensed facility or program, separate from the general child abuse hotline.

Use this whenA young person abused inside an Iowa licensed facility or program.

HowCall the facility line rather than the general hotline.

1-877-686-0027 For abuse suspected in a licensed facility or program.
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Iowa Child Abuse Hotline

The statewide confidential 24-hour line taking reports of suspected abuse of children and dependent adults. The Child Protective Services intake unit screens them.

Use this whenA child at an Iowa program.

HowCall. Have identifying details and the child's whereabouts ready.

You may stay anonymous unless you are reporting as a mandatory reporter, in which case you have to leave your name and contact details.

1-800-362-2178 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
File a complaint

Oversight and advocacy

Bodies with a right to investigate, and advocates who can act for you.

Iowa Office of Ombudsman

An independent office that reviews complaints about state agencies, and it names both the professional licensing boards and the Department of Health and Human Services among the bodies it covers. The route when a licensing complaint or an abuse report has gone nowhere.

It examines how an agency handled something rather than disciplining a clinician or a program itself.

Use this whenSomebody who has already complained to an Iowa board or to HHS and got no response they can make sense of.

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Disability Rights Iowa

Iowa's Protection and Advocacy agency, with federal authority to investigate abuse and neglect of people with disabilities in facilities, a right of access to them, and free legal advocacy.

Use this whenAn Iowa program where the young person has a disability or a mental health diagnosis.

HowContact the intake line.

1-800-779-2502 Main line 515-278-2502; TDD 515-278-0571.
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National reporting channels, and the same list for other states