Updates from Week 13 at the Iowa Capitol

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to raise awareness about sexual violence and strengthen prevention efforts. In 2026, we mark 25 years of SAAM with the theme “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward.” Background and resources are on the national website, and you can connect with the local victim service provider organization in your area, visit www.icadv.org/survivorsupport. You can also call the Iowa Victim Service Call Center – 1.800.770.1650 or text “iowahelp” to 20121. 

FY 27 Iowa Cancer Plan Implementation Grants

Grants are available for projects that align with at least one of the following Iowa Cancer Plan priorities: addressing cancer disparities across the cancer continuum, advancing cancer prevention and/or early detection, expanding successful local projects statewide, formalizing lasting, broad cancer control improvements through policy, and systems change within organizations, systems, or communities. You can learn more here. 

FY 27 Survivorship Grant

Funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will soon be made available to increase support for groups involved in cancer survivorship support. More information can be found here.

The Iowa Cancer Consortium’s Spring Meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for partners across Iowa to connect, share updates, and collaborate on statewide cancer prevention and control efforts. Registration for the 2026 Spring Meeting is now available. For questions, email: staff@canceriowa.org

Navigating Parkinson’s Disease

 A three-part educational series designed for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s, their caregivers and partners, and healthcare professionals looking for community-based resources has workshops available both in-person and virtually throughout the year. The next round of in-person workshops begins in April. Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease brings challenges not only to individuals but also to their families and caregivers. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers “A Journey through Parkinson’s Disease” to help Iowans navigate the complexities of a diagnosis with confidence and research-based support. 

Harkin Institute’s Cancer Crisis Report

The Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement have released a new report, "Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis." The report is a review of top scientific studies and academic research exploring the environmental risk factors impacting Iowa’s high cancer rates, and an analysis of the crossover between these risk factors and specific cancer trends in Iowa. The focus of the report includes pesticides (particularly the three most applied pesticides in the state – glyphosate, acetochlor, and atrazine), PFAS (“forever chemicals”), nitrates, and radon. The goal of the report is to educate Iowans about the environmental risk factors of cancer and to focus efforts on the changes that will make the most difference. Click here for more information.

High School Graduation Rate Remains High

Iowa’s high school graduation rate reached 88.8% for the class of 2025, which is one of the state’s highest in recent years and the first time since 2020 that graduation rates have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. State data show roughly 1,000 more Iowa students earned their diplomas this year than in 2019. To find out more on Iowa’s graduation and dropout rates, see the Iowa Graduation Rates and Dropout Rates webpage. 

Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes

Iowa’s Department of Education is hosting its first School Bus Safety Poster Contest. Entries are due April 17 for four divisions: grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and a computer-aided drawing category open to all grades. The 2026 theme is “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.” Division winners will be recognized in May, and their posters will be featured statewide for National School Bus Safety Week in October. Learn more on the poster contest webpage. 

Earth Day

In 1970, 20 million Americans, from all walks of life, mobilized in an effort to change our environment. Today, Earth Day is celebrated by more than a billion people per year in 192 countries. Join the celebration on Wednesday, April 22!