The Iowa Community HUB has been awarded nearly $1.94 million over three years from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), to expand evidence-based falls prevention programs and strengthen Iowa’s statewide falls prevention infrastructure.

The award is part of ACL’s Scaling Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs initiative, announced October 9, 2026, as part of a broader federal investment of up to $27.8 million in falls prevention efforts nationwide. Iowa Community HUB is one of eight organizations selected for funding under this initiative.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults age 65 and older, with one in four older adults experiencing a fall each year. Beyond physical injuries, falls can lead to a fear of falling again, reduced confidence, social isolation, and a loss of independence, significantly affecting an individual’s quality of life. Many falls, however, can be prevented through early identification of risk factors, evidence-based interventions, and connections to appropriate community resources.

“This award represents an incredible opportunity to build upon the great falls prevention work already happening across Iowa and strengthen how we work together to prevent falls,” said Trina Radske-Suchan, President and CEO of the Iowa Community HUB. “Falls prevention is about more than offering programs. It requires a whole-person approach that recognizes the many factors contributing to fall risk, from strength and balance to medications, nutrition, home safety, and social needs. As a Community Care Hub, our strength lies in the statewide network of healthcare and community partners working together to connect Iowans to the programs, resources, and support they need. This investment will help us strengthen those connections, expand access to proven interventions, and build a more coordinated and sustainable approach to falls prevention across Iowa.”

Connecting healthcare and community-based falls prevention

The three-year initiative will integrate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) fall risk screening framework with Stepping On, an evidence-based falls prevention program designed to help older adults improve strength and balance, recognize fall risks, and build confidence in maintaining their independence.

Through this coordinated approach, healthcare providers will be able to identify individuals at risk for falls and connect them to the Iowa Community HUB for personalized navigation, referrals, and follow-up. The HUB will help connect individuals to Stepping On, other evidence-based programs, and supportive community resources that address factors contributing to fall risk. The initiative will also support the expansion of Pisando Fuerte, the Spanish-language adaptation of Stepping On, and increase access to falls prevention services among rural communities, adults with disabilities, and populations experiencing barriers to care.

A whole-person, Community Care Hub approach

Falls prevention requires looking beyond an individual’s immediate risk of falling to understand the broader factors influencing their health, safety, and independence. Mobility limitations, chronic conditions, medication concerns, nutrition, transportation, social isolation, and other health-related social needs can all affect an individual’s risk of falling and ability to access preventive services.

The Iowa Community HUB’s statewide Community Care Hub model provides the infrastructure to address these interconnected needs by bringing together healthcare providers, community-based organizations, aging and disability services, and public health partners. Through this collaborative network, individuals can be connected not only to evidence-based falls prevention programs but also to other services and supports that contribute to their overall health and well-being.

By building upon existing partnerships, referral pathways, navigation services, and shared technology, the initiative will help create a more integrated approach to falls prevention, one that connects early identification of fall risk with meaningful community-based support and ongoing opportunities for healthy aging.

Building a stronger statewide falls prevention network

A central focus of the project is strengthening the infrastructure needed to deliver and sustain falls prevention services across Iowa.

Key activities will include:

• Expanding access to evidence-based programs by increasing Stepping On and Pisando Fuerte availability and strengthening facilitator recruitment, training, and program delivery capacity.
• Strengthening clinical-community connections by promoting STEADI fall risk screening and establishing coordinated referral pathways that connect individuals from healthcare settings to the Iowa Community HUB for navigation and access to community-based falls prevention programs.
• Supporting statewide and local falls prevention efforts by aligning with the Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition’s strategies and strengthening local coalitions through engagement, collaboration, and outreach activities that increase awareness and participation in falls prevention initiatives.
• Improving coordination and access through person-centered navigation, technology integration, and connections to community resources addressing health-related social needs.
• Advancing evaluation and sustainability by measuring outcomes, incorporating the perspectives and lived experiences of individuals served, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing resources and strategies to support long-term implementation.

Collaboration across Iowa

The Iowa Community HUB will lead the initiative in collaboration with a broad network of statewide and community partners, including the University of Iowa Health Care, University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, EMI Advisors, Easterseals Iowa, MyHealthIowa–MiSaludIowa, Area Agencies on Aging and the Disability Access Points, the Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition, healthcare organizations, and community-based partners across the state.

Together, these partners will contribute expertise in clinical care, program implementation, training, evaluation, disability inclusion, technology, community outreach, and statewide coordination.

“The success of this initiative will depend on the collective expertise and commitment of our partners across Iowa,” added Radske-Suchan. “By bringing together healthcare and public health expertise, community-based programs, local knowledge, and the perspectives of individuals with lived experience, we can strengthen the systems that support falls prevention and help more Iowans remain healthy, active, and independent.”