Just the Facts for 2003

Almost 19,000 employees work for the State of Iowa Executive Branch (excluding Fair Authority, Community-Based Corrections, and the Regents employees). These employees are undoubtedly the most valuable resource for providing timely and quality services to Iowans. To strategically manage this resource, State departments and policymakers must have thorough and accurate information. The information in “Just the Facts for 2003” is a snapshot of the workforce, collected, compiled, and presented in a format that will aid agencies and decision makers in strategic planning. In many cases, data cover a number of years and are presented to give the reader a sense of trends. While the Department of Personnel wants to present data in its purist form so readers can draw their own conclusions, we also have a responsibility to clarify anything that may be confusing or misleading . It is important to highlight workforce trends and explain their significance to the work of Iowa state government.

Just the Facts for 2005

Almost 19,000 employees work for the State of Iowa Executive Branch (excluding Fair Authority, Community-Based Corrections, and the Regents employees). These employees are undoubtedly the most valuable resource for providing timely and quality services to Iowans. To strategically manage this resource, State departments and policymakers must have thorough and accurate information. The information in “Just the Facts for 2005” is a snapshot of the workforce, collected, compiled, and presented in a format that will aid agencies and decision makers in strategic planning. In many cases, data cover a number of years and are presented to give the reader a sense of trends. While the Department of Personnel wants to present data in its purist form so readers can draw their own conclusions, we also have a responsibility to clarify anything that may be confusing or misleading . It is important to highlight workforce trends and explain their significance to the work of Iowa state government.

Just the Facts for 2006

Almost 19,000 employees work for the State of Iowa Executive Branch (excluding Fair Authority, Community-Based Corrections, and the Regents employees). These employees are undoubtedly the most valuable resource for providing timely and quality services to Iowans. To strategically manage this resource, State departments and policymakers must have thorough and accurate information. The information in “Just the Facts for 2006” is a snapshot of the workforce, collected, compiled, and presented in a format that will aid agencies and decision makers in strategic planning. In many cases, data cover a number of years and are presented to give the reader a sense of trends. While the Department of Personnel wants to present data in its purist form so readers can draw their own conclusions, we also have a responsibility to clarify anything that may be confusing or misleading . It is important to highlight workforce trends and explain their significance to the work of Iowa state government.

Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage (CAPI), Spring 2008

In the Spring of 2004, the Iowa legislature passed the bill to establish the Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage (CAPI) within the Department of Human Rights. Nine (9) commissioners were appointed by the Governor in October. In August 2006, the first division administrator was appointed; thus the Division was established. The duties of the Commission, as established in Iowa Code Chapter 216A.152, define the work of the Division. Vision: All Asian and Pacific Islander Iowans live up to their potential, regardless of ethnicity, station in life, and religion. Mission: To ensure Iowa’s Asians and Pacific Islanders have opportunities equal to other Iowans in education, employment, health care, housing, and safety and to publicize the accomplishments and contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islanders to the state.

Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage (CAPI), Spring 2007

In the Spring of 2004, the Iowa legislature passed the bill to establish the Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage (CAPI) within the Department of Human Rights. Nine (9) commissioners were appointed by the Governor in October. In August 2006, the first division administrator was appointed; thus the Division was established. The duties of the Commission, as established in Iowa Code Chapter 216A.152, define the work of the Division. Vision: All Iowans live up to their potential, regardless of ethnicity, station in life, and religion. Mission: To empower Asians and Pacific Islanders, improve their well-being, and celebrate a diverse Iowa.

Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage (CAPI), Spring 2006

In the Spring of 2004, the Iowa legislature passed the bill to establish the Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage (CAPI) within the Department of Human Rights. Nine (9) commissioners were appointed by the Governor in October. In August 2006, the first division administrator was appointed; thus the Division was established. The duties of the Commission, as established in Iowa Code Chapter 216A.152, define the work of the Division. Vision: All Iowans live up to their potential, regardless of ethnicity, station in life, and religion. Mission: To empower Asians and Pacific Islanders, improve their well-being, and celebrate a diverse Iowa.

Working with Iowans building a culture of conservation, Program Summary, November 2008

Over 94% of Iowa ’ s land is held in private ownership, and the programs of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS-DSC) have been established to work with these landowners. Over 90% of the landscape is used for agricultural production so much of our focus is in rural communities, but we haven’t overlooked the importance of land management in urban areas. It is crucial to understanding of both conservation and hydrology issues, that what happens on the landscape has immense consequences to the environmental health of our state and the quality of life we enjoy. IDALS-DSC is striving to integrate our programs with other agencies and local concerns to improve water and local concerns to improve water and soil quality throughout the state and nation.

Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2008

This publication of our 2008 Annual Report. This past year was beset with challenges and disappointments, but we were still able to forge ahead and register some significant accomplishments along the way. Our vision to organize our collective genius in a systematic way is beginning to take shape, and these efforts are reflected in this report. From various developments, like the making of a documentary and film of the Alexander Clark, Sr. story, to the partnership between the division and principal leadership in the faith community around the OCBI’s “Ten Point Plan”, one can envision the proverbial Black “phoenix” rising, renewed from the ashes of banal ideologies and practices. We will seize this opportunity, in conjunction with all of Iowa, to work together around the entire state, to produce a plan that reflects our collective interests, passions, and needs as we help create the Governor and Lt Governor’s vision of “One Iowa with One Unlimited Future.”

Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2006

A Public Intellectual recently suggested that I read the book Life Out Of Context by the very productive writer Walter Mosley. In this book, Mosley began to summarize a speech that was given by Harry Belafonte. Belafonte made a comparison between a particular Olympic relay race and the Civil Rights Movement. In the race, an experienced runner stumbled a little while passing the baton, and the race was lost. For Belafonte, this momentary slip was a metaphor for the failure of the Civil Rights Movement to “pass the baton” to the younger generation as “it moved past its original phase and into the latter part of the century.” Regardless of your views of the strengths and weaknesses of the Civil Rights Movement, I think all of us would agree that the current issues facing Black Iowa today--e.g., the need for economic development, increased educational achievement and more political involvement in our communities--demand our immediate attention and action. This urgency requires that we cross generational, class, and territorial boundaries within the state to collaborate among ourselves and with others to deal constructively with these issues. We cannot afford to have another “momentary slip.” Serving as the Administrator for ICSAA allows me to serve Black Iowa in a significant way, and Kimberly Cheeks and I in this Division look forward to the work ahead over the next several months and years. Working closely with Walter Reed, Director of the Department of Human Rights, along with so many others across this state, we are keenly aware that we are provided with a great opportunity to positively impact the quality of life for African-Americans in Iowa.

Report of the Section of Agencies and Institutions Division of Child Welfare State Department of Social Welfare, 1943

History of child and social welfare in the State of Iowa including legal responsibilities, rules and regulations, inspections and licensing and supervision. it also covers cooperation with state agencies. It also describes in detail the histories, functions and problems of individual welfare homes and schools.

Status of Females in the Juvenile Justice System Iowa, 2009

Young women in the juvenile justice system present with characteristics and experiences that differentiate them from their male counterparts. As such, the juvenile justice system in Iowa must consider these factors if it is to effectively and efficiently impact recidivism, rehabilitation and public safety. Data reveal the following trends: All youth in the juvenile justice system experience a significantly higher rate of child maltreatment than do youth in the general population. Additionally, young women have a distinctly higher percentage of reported sexual abuse. Young women commit primarily non-violent offenses, with shoplifting and running away being the only two areas where they exceed young men in number. Young women are held in detention for a substantially higher percentage of misdemeanor versus felony offenses than young men. Young women of color, particularly African American females, are far more likely to come into contact with the juvenile justice system. Additionally, arrests of minority females have increased during the same time frame as arrests of Caucasian females have decreased. The general type of offense committed by young women is against public order (i.e. alcohol related violations, disorderly conduct) or property (i.e. shoplifting), though young women with subsequent charges of a violent nature are likely to have had violent offenses initially as well. Historically, young women have been a smaller segment of the juvenile justice population. They remain so today. Consequently, they are easy to overlook. But Iowa’s response to them is no less important. Perhaps, because they are fewer in number, our system can have a true and meaningful influence, with prevention of further penetration into both the juvenile and adult systems being the ultimate goal. The Iowa Task Force on Young Women recommends the following measures to facilitate movement toward that goal: 1. Facilities and programs striving to provide the most effective and efficient services to young women will opt for single gender environments with female responsive programming that includes components to address trauma. 2. All institutions and agencies that work with females involved in the juvenile justice system and which receive state funding should be required to provide annual female responsive training to their employees. Training should be research based, progressive, ongoing and result in an implementation plan. 3. As detention reform proceeds, gender and the disproportionate number of females in detention for misdemeanor offenses must be an integral part of policy and decision making discussions including any recommendations for solutions to be implemented. 4. As research, data and planning progresses related to disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile system, the needs of girls of color be given equal consideration. Specifically, assessment tools must be without race/ethnic bias and they must also be female responsive.

Protecting the Public,Iowa Office of Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman, January 2010

The Ombudsman helps citizens understand and maneuver through the often complicated depths and layers of government. In many cases, assistants facilitate citizen dialogue with an agency, explain the reasons for laws or policies, recommend revisions to unfair policies or unreasonable decisions, and resolve disputes informally. In some cases, the Ombudsman will pursue more formal investigations, take sworn testimony, and issue public reports. Here, in this periodic newsletter, you’ll find a small sampling of the ombudsman’s work over the previous two months. If you need help resolving a problem with state or local government, please see our contact information at the bottom of the page.

The League of Iowa Human Rights Agencies, February 2008, Vol. 1, no. 1

The League of Iowa Human Rights Agencies is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and advancement of human and civil rights. Founded in the late 1970’s, the League comprises of the local human and civil rights commissions in Iowa, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the Iowa Department of Human Rights. While its members are public agencies, the League is a private, non-governmental organization.

Education Task Force Report, August 2008

The Rebuild Iowa Education Task Force is composed of Iowans with experience and expertise related to the impact of the tornadoes, storms, and floods of 2008 on the educational system in Iowa. The massive damage greatly impacted educational facilities and enrollment, resulting in thousands of displaced students and significant long-term rebuilding needs. In addition, the education system is a “community center,” and in many ways acts as a first responder to Iowans experiencing the disasters. It is important to also recognize this role and the need for “non-educational” (and often non-quantifiable) supports as a part of the overall recovery effort. There are a few parts of the state that sustained significant structural and other damage as a result of the disasters. However, many school districts and educational institutions throughout the state experienced damage that resulted in re-allocating building usage, enrollment issues (because of housing and relocation issues in the community), or use of school facilities to assist in the recovery efforts (by housing displaced community agencies and providing temporary shelter for displaced Iowans). At this time, damage estimates are only estimates and numbers are revised often. Estimates of damage are being developed by multiple agencies, including FEMA, the Iowa Department of Education, insurance companies, and schools themselves, since there are many different types of damage to be assessed and repaired. In addition to structural damage, educational institutions and communities are trying to find ways to quantify sometimes unquantifiable data, such as future revenue capabilities, population declines, and impact on mental health in the long-term. The data provided in this report is preliminary and as up to date as possible; information is updated on a regular basis as assessments continue and damage estimates are finalized.

Supplemental Information to the August 2008 Education Task Force Report, August 2008

The Rebuild Iowa Education Task Force is composed of Iowans with experience and expertise related to the impact of the tornadoes, storms, and floods of 2008 on the educational system in Iowa. The massive damage greatly impacted educational facilities and enrollment, resulting in thousands of displaced students and significant long-term rebuilding needs. In addition, the education system is a “community center,” and in many ways acts as a first responder to Iowans experiencing the disasters. It is important to also recognize this role and the need for “non-educational” (and often non-quantifiable) supports as a part of the overall recovery effort. There are a few parts of the state that sustained significant structural and other damage as a result of the disasters. However, many school districts and educational institutions throughout the state experienced damage that resulted in re-allocating building usage, enrollment issues (because of housing and relocation issues in the community), or use of school facilities to assist in the recovery efforts (by housing displaced community agencies and providing temporary shelter for displaced Iowans). At this time, damage estimates are only estimates and numbers are revised often. Estimates of damage are being developed by multiple agencies, including FEMA, the Iowa Department of Education, insurance companies, and schools themselves, since there are many different types of damage to be assessed and repaired. In addition to structural damage, educational institutions and communities are trying to find ways to quantify sometimes unquantifiable data, such as future revenue capabilities, population declines, and impact on mental health in the long-term. The data provided in this report is preliminary and as up to date as possible; information is updated on a regular basis as assessments continue and damage estimates are finalized. Supplemental Information to the August 2008 Education Task Force Report