DES MOINES, Iowa — A coalition of Iowa youth organizations is pushing for settlement money from Meta to be invested directly in programs that support young people’s mental health and development.
The newly formed Fund IRL Iowa coalition is calling on state leaders to use Iowa’s $126 million share of the Meta settlement to fund prevention, mental health services and community programs. The group argues that if the money is meant to address harms to young people, it should help young people.
“Iowa has a chance to do something lasting with these resources. We want to work with state leaders to make sure settlement funds reach young people and strengthen the communities around them,” said Yesenia Cruz, state coordinator of Fund IRL Iowa Coalition. “The measure of success should be the opportunities we create, the connections we strengthen and the difference we make in kids’ lives.”…