March 2026 Monthly Update
It’s Your Lucky Day—March Updates Are Here!
In 2026, Iowa Balance of State CoC is committed to continuing the work of ending homelessness in Iowa. But we can’t do it alone. We aim to advance data driven solutions, strengthen systems, and work in partnership with our community to create lasting change.
We welcome you to join us for our Annual Meeting in May this year! Keep reading for more information!
What’s New?
Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting will be held May 5th, 2026 at the Ames Public Library!
The Iowa Balance of State CoC 2026 Annual Meeting is focused on strengthening our homeless response system across the state of Iowa.
Topics include:
system updates and opportunities for increased partner engagement
meaningful involvement of people with lived experience
a look at how we are performing statewide
the launch of our Housing Problem Solving initiative
progress on our strategic plan,
and any relevant federal funding updates
CoC Grantees are required to send at least one staff member to attend this meeting!
CoC Funded Projects and partners are encouraged to invite their community partners to attend our annual meeting! Community partners will gain timely insights into the housing and homeless services system, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and leave better equipped to align local efforts to end homelessness across Iowa.
Registration closes May 4, 2026.
Interested in joining an IA Bos CoC Task Group?
Attend a Task Group Meeting: Meetings are virtual and open to the public. Attending meetings gives you the opportunity to learn about the work being done across the CoC. Learn more about the specific task groups by visiting the CoC's Task Group Page.
Attend meetings to learn about the group: To add any of the Board or Task Group meetings to your calendar, visit the CoC's Event Page.
If you enjoy a specific group, you can join as a voting member! After attending meetings, if you are interested in a specific group, you are welcome to join as a voting member for a CoC Task Group!
Becoming a Voting Member: To become a voting member of one of the Task Groups, reach out the CoC staff for more information.
Questions or additional information: For any other information or questions, contact CoC staff.
Our mailing list has updates! We now have an advocacy mailing list for those wanting to be involved in legislative advocacy and impact to homeless services. All you need to do to join the mailing list is adjust your preferences. If you haven’t signed up for a mailing list yet, what are you waiting for? We have more than just a monthly update on the blog! If you’re wanting to learn more about our ongoing task groups, trainings, events, and more please sign up! If you’re signed up but missing something, you can change your preferences too!
Thanks for being here!
March Spring Cleaning for Your Files
Grab a coffee, open those client folders, and declutter! Remove duplicates, label correctly, and check that your client files tell a full story. Organized files = smoother monitoring visits! Make sure all staff know where to find your written procedures for eligibility, HMIS, and recordkeeping. Transparency builds trust within your team.
Reminder: in April it will be time for data reporting again so keep an eye on your email for DQP and CE reporting!
Have questions?
Contact Rachel or Sara from our compliance and monitoring team!
Upcoming Events
Provide Feedback for IA BoS CoC
Catch up on Socials
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!
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Snapshots of Service and Shelter Use
Iowa Homelessness County Level Data Book
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County Point in Time
Coordinated Entry Regions
ERA Portal
IA BoS CoC Data Quality Plan Dashboard
National Point in Time Explorer
CoC System Performance Measures
BoS YHDP Dashboard
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Stella Performance & Stella Modeling Webinar
SAGE HMIS Reporting Repository Overview
Most recent Housing Inventory Reports
Most recent Point in Time Reports
System Performance Measure Reports
AHAR Reports
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Annual Reports
AHAR Reports
Housing Inventory Reports
Point in Time Reports
System Performance Measures
Professional Development Opportunities
HMIS Trainings
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As preparations for federal reports (LSA, PIT/HIC, SPMs) have begun, the Iowa HMIS Team is excited to announce a newly updated course in the Learning Management System (LMS), Common Updates/Error Corrections. This course will be especially useful for folks who receive the quarterly EVA reports.
You can self-enroll in the course by logging into the LMS and clicking the link here: https://www.icatraining.org/course/view.php?id=380
The course includes videos and helper documents to provide support on making updates and corrections. Topics include:
How to correct Head of Household errors
How to delete entries/exits
How the Households section works
HUD Section Trainings
Overlapping Enrollments & Move-in Dates
and more!
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Coordinated Entry Q & A Session: Join the Coordinated Entry for the last virtual monthly Coordinated Entry Q&A session on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm.
Please be prepared to engage with us and bring any questions or comments. Click here to join the teams meeting. For any questions regarding Coordinated Entry in the future, please contact iowace@icalliances.org.
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This training fulfills the need for users who will benefit from learning the system with a more hands-on approach, while still using the online training videos as additional tools. If you are the person at your agency that requests new user training and think that you have staff that would benefit from an in-person training experience, please fill out the form below.
Please note that online training is still available as an option if this does not fit your staff’s needs. If it is decided that in-person training is the best option, each student only needs to attend one session. Each attendee will need their own laptop. The classes fill up at 10 attendees each.
Current In-Person Training:
The 2nd Thursday- every month - 612 Locust St. Des Moines, Iowa
The 3rd Thursday- every month- Shelter House, Iowa City (10 am-2 pm) 429 Southgate Ave, Iowa City
To request in-person training for your organization/area, please click here or email support@icalliances.org.
IA BoS CoC
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IA BoS CoC can support your team or partners with training in Housing Problem Solving. These trainings build skills for meaningful conversations, creative solutions, and stronger connections to local resources, helping communities respond more effectively and collaboratively to housing crises.
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Several trainings for youth providers or providers interested in expanding their understanding of interacting with youth and young adults have been scheduled!
Wow! You’re still here.
Thank you for your ongoing work in ending homelessness in IA BoS CoC.
We appreciate you!
