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Recent News
DISASTER RECOVERY: The DHS has four programs to help Iowans recover from summertime storms and flooding. One-page summary. Here's expanded information from Governor Culver regarding disaster food stamps.
ABUSE REGISTRY: An amended Iowa Supreme Court ruling will allow most names of abusers to remain on the child abuse registry, but Director Krogmeier says the court has exposed inconsistencies in the law that must be addressed. News release.
AWARDS: Iowa's food assistance program has won national recognition for efforts to promote nutritional health and to help children from low-income families to sign up sign up for school lunches.
OLMSTEAD: The Mental Health and Disability Services division of DHS has prepared a draft Olmstead plan designed to ensure a "life in the community for everyone" who is disabled. Please send comments via http://iowamhdsplan.org/.
CHILD WELFARE: Iowa's child welfare system has improved in the last several years, especially in preventing unnecessary removals and finding relatives to help in cases where removal is needed, but Iowa and all other states will need to improve.
CONSOLIDATING DHS SERVICES: A single office in Des Moines will soon field all calls alleging child or dependent adult abuse. Two other consolidated services have also been established. In addition, the number of county offices that are open full time will be reduced. See a news release and map here.
FOCUS ON REDUCING RESTRAINTS: Restraints and seclusions used to be common at mental institutes, but Iowa DHS employees have learned how to identify "triggers" for every patient and how to employ calming techniques that avoid the need for dangerous methods. The MHI at Cherokee has been honored as one of the ten best facilities in the country for reducing restraints and seclusions. See a news release here.
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