Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

50 2^nd Avenue Bridge

Veterans Memorial Building, 2^nd Floor

Cedar Rapids, IA  52401

General:  286-5036

Housing:  247-7275

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Investigates complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodation, housing credit and education.  Provides education about discrimination.

Cedar Rapids Fair Housing Office

1035 3^rd Avenue SE

Cedar Rapids, IA

(for in-person consultations)

Jan Alderton (contact)

(Note: Mail should be directed to the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission at 50 2^nd Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401.)

247-7275

Assistance available Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Investigates complaints of fair housing discrimination when committed because of the race, color, sex, creed, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, presence of children of the applicant/tenant, age and sexual orientation (within the City of Cedar Rapids only), or the applicant/tenant’s association with persons of these traits. Acts of discrimination include denial, discouragement, different treatment or different impact. Provides education about fair housing/housing issues.

Child Support Recovery

411 3^rd Street SE, Suite 200

Cedar Rapids, IA  52401

1-888-229-9223

Local assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  State Child Support available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Provides assistance in establishment and recovery of child support.  Education on specifics of child support topics.

Children in the Middle

1026 A Avenue NE

Cedar Rapids, IA  52402

369-8002

369-7952

Assistance available (classes held) from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM on first Tuesday of month and from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM on third Tuesday of the month.

Provide classes “Children in the Middle” to divorcing parents.  To register, call 369-8002.  For financial assistance, call 369-7952.

Citizen’s Aide/Ombudsman

Ola Babcock Miller Building

1112 E. Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA  50319

1-888-426-6283

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Investigates complaints against agencies or officials of state and local governments in Iowa.  Answers questions about government when a person does not know where to go or who to contact to get his or her questions answered accurately.

Federal Trade Commission

Consumer Response Center

600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC  20580

Complaints:

877-382-4357

ID Theft:

877-438-4338

“Do Not Call” Help-Line

888-382-1222

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Federal Trade Commission is the nation's consumer protection agency. The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace. The Bureau: enhances consumer confidence by enforcing federal laws that protect consumers;   empowers consumers with free information to help them exercise their rights and spot and avoid fraud and deception; wants to hear from consumers who want to get information or file a complaint about fraud or identity theft.

Justice for Our Neighbors

3047 Center Point Road NE

Suite C

Cedar Rapids, IA  52402

366-4188

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Provides free legal advice by licensed attorneys at the clinic, assists clients throughout their immigration case.  Volunteers advocate for fairer laws for, and better treatment of, those who seek refuge in our communities.

Iowa Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division

1305 E. Walnut Street

Des Moines, IA 50319

www.iowaattorneygeneral.org

515-281-5926 or 1-888-777-4590

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Consumer Protection Division protects consumers from fraud and ensures fair competition in the marketplace. The Division enforces a number of laws that protect the buying public from false or misleading advertisements or sales practices. It also enforces laws that make sure consumers get information to help them make important decisions, like credit disclosure laws that help consumers compare loan offers.

Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence

515 28^th Street, Suite 104

Des Moines, IA  50312

515-244-8028

1-800-942-0333

Assistance available 24 hours per day.

Internet resources (www.icadv.org) on Iowa domestic abuse laws (Chapter 236), assaults (Chapter 708), victim compensation (Chapter 915), and legislative alerts.

Iowa Legal Aid

210 2^nd Street SE, Suite #302

Cedar Rapids, IA  52401

364-6108 or 1-800-332-0419

1-800-992-8161 (HOTLINE FOR OLDER IOWANS)

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.  New applications are accepted from 9:00 AM until 12:00 noon by telephone.  If emergency, new applications accepted at any time.

Free legal services provided for persons who meet income and asset guidelines for non-criminal legal problems such as:

§          CONSUMER PROBLEMS (Utility shut-off, debt collection issues, garnishments, etc.)

§          EDUCATION (Special education issues, expulsions from school, denial of enrollment or discrimination within the educational system)

§          EMPLOYMENT (Unemployment and employment discrimination issues)

§          FAMILY LAW (Protective orders for victims of domestic abuse, child support and paternity issues, and other family law matters that involve domestic abuse)

§          HEALTH (Medicaid, Medicare, problems in health care facilities and health insurance issues)

§          HOUSING (Federally subsidized housing rights, eviction, remedying housing defects and housing discrimination)

§          INCOME MAINTENANCE (FIP, Food Stamps, General Relief, Veterans Benefits, SSI, and Unemployment benefits)

§          INCOME TAX issues primarily for persons with English as a second language.

§          CONFLICT/CONTROVERY with the IRS

§          INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (Rights of persons who have mental or physical disabilities, rights of migrants and seasonal farm workers, rights of persons with HIV/AIDS)

§          ISSUES for returning veterans

Iowa, State Bar Association

Lawyer Referral Services

521 East Locust

Des Moines, IA  50309

1-800-532-1108

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Note: Office is closed between 12:00 and 1:00 PM for lunch.

Can provide you with one name of an attorney in your area that will handle your type of legal matter.  If you should decide to meet with this attorney, there will be a fee of $25 for the first half-hour.  The fee after the first half-hour will be between you and that attorney.  To access information 24 hours a day, visit the web site at www.iowabar.org and click on “Lawyer Referral.”

Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan Veterans Returning Veterans Rights Program

1-800-992-8161 (Hotline)

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Legal services for National Guard and Reserve units that have been activated and full-time Army personnel who live in Iowa, and their immediate family.  Services include employer relations, debt counseling, home repairs, power of attorney and wills, medical bills and family law matters.

Kids First Law Center

621 4^th Avenue SE

Cedar Rapids, IA  52401

365-5437

Assistance available by appointment only.

Must be an active court case.  Referrals must be made through judges and attorneys.  No exceptions.  Free representation to low- and middle-income in high conflict divorce and custody situations.

MUNA Legal Clinic

518 28^th Street

Suite 104

Des Moines, IA  50312

515-244-2117

Assistance available is a 24 hour statewide hotline.

The MUNA Legal Clinic serves low-income immigrants and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault through a variety of family law and immigrant issues.

New Iowan Center (Workforce Develop.)

1700 South 1^st Avenue, Suite 11B

Iowa City, IA  52240

319-351-1035, x102

Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  Please call for an appointment.  Serves Linn and Johnson Counties.

ESL classes, immigration assistance, job search assistance, computer access, referrals to other agencies, resume making, relocation issues, housing issues, human rights issues, access to legal assistance, free notary services, discrimination cases, business counseling, fill out other applications, interpretation, translations, unemployment benefits, diversity training.  All services are free of charge.

University of Iowa Legal Clinic

College of Law

290 Boyd Law Building

Iowa City, IA  52242-1113

319-335-9023

Call for an appointment.

Clinical law services in areas of employment, consumer and disability law, and domestic violence.  Screen for cases they handle and available attorneys.  No income criteria.