Investigation of the Iowa Department of Human Services’ Oversight of a Child Care Center, September 11 , 2013

Over a three-month period in 2010, our office received three complaints alleging the Department of Human Services (DHS) was lax in its oversight of a licensed child care center. It was alleged that the DHS did not sanction the child care center in any meaningful way after finding several violations associated with children engaging in sexual behavior with each other at the center. This involved the Child Development Center (CDC) in Des Moines, which is owned and operated by Children and Families of Iowa (CFI).

Report on a special investigation of the State Public Defender’s Office for the period July 1, 2009 through August 31, 2013

Report on a special investigation of the State Public Defender’s Office for the period July 1, 2009 through August 31, 2013

Report on a special investigation of the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District for the period March 24, 2006 through August 31, 2013

Report on a special investigation of the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District for the period March 24, 2006 through August 31, 2013

Report on a special investigation of the Monona County Auditor’s Office for the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013

Report on a special investigation of the Monona County Auditor’s Office for the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013

Special investigation of the City of West Liberty for the period July 1, 2010 through January 31, 2014

Special investigation of the City of West Liberty for the period July 1, 2010 through January 31, 2014

Special investigation of the Iowa County Treasurer’s Office for the period January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2011

Special investigation of the Iowa County Treasurer’s Office for the period January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2011

Special investigation of the Sac County Treasurer’s Office Motor Vehicle Department for the period January 1, 2010 through February 27, 2014

Special investigation of the Sac County Treasurer’s Office Motor Vehicle Department for the period January 1, 2010 through February 27, 2014

Investigation of Field Corrosion Performance and Bond/Development Length of Galvanized Reinforcing Steel, TR-666, 2014

In reinforced concrete systems, ensuring that a good bond between the concrete and the embedded reinforcing steel is critical to long-term structural performance. Without good bond between the two, the system simply cannot behave as intended. The bond strength of reinforcing bars is a complex interaction between localized deformations, chemical adhesion, and other factors. Coating of reinforcing bars, although sometimes debated, has been commonly found to be an effective way to delay the initiation of corrosion in reinforced concrete systems. For many years, the standard practice has been to coat reinforcing steel with an epoxy coating, which provides a barrier between the steel and the corrosive elements of water, air, and chloride ions. Recently, there has been an industry-led effort to use galvanizing to provide the protective barrier commonly provided by traditional epoxy coatings. However, as with any new structural product, questions exist regarding both the structural performance and corrosion resistance of the system. In the fall of 2013, Buchanan County, Iowa constructed a demonstration bridge in which the steel girders and all internal reinforcing steel were galvanized. The work completed in this project sought to understand the structural performance of galvanized reinforcing steel as compared to epoxy-coated steel and to initiate a long-term corrosion monitoring program. This work consisted of a series of controlled laboratory tests and the installation of a corrosion monitoring system that can be observed for years in the future. The results of this work indicate there is no appreciable difference between the bond strength of epoxy-coated reinforcing steel and galvanized reinforcing steel. Although some differences were observed, no notable difference in either peak load, slip, or failure mode could be identified. Additionally, a long-term monitoring system was installed in this Buchanan County bridge and, to date, no corrosion activity has been identified.

Report on a special investigation of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District for the period July 1, 2009 through April 30, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District for the period July 1, 2009 through April 30, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the Mid-Prairie Community School District for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the Mid-Prairie Community School District for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the University of Northern Iowa International Dance Theatre for the period December 1, 2005 through February 28, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the University of Northern Iowa International Dance Theatre for the period December 1, 2005 through February 28, 2014

Report on a special investigation of Café DMACC within Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa for the period January 4, 2013 through May 2, 2014

Report on a special investigation of Café DMACC within Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa for the period January 4, 2013 through May 2, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the City of Vining for the period May 1, 2008 through May 31, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the City of Vining for the period May 1, 2008 through May 31, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the City of Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department for the period January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the City of Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department for the period January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2014

Neither Fair Nor Impartial: An Investigation into the Iowa Department of Corrections’ Sanctions Against an Inmate, February 16, 2015

An Investigation into the Iowa Department of Corrections’ Sanctions Against an Inmate