Looking backward on Hawkeyeland, 1947.

This is a reprint for the Iowa Centennial Committee of an article orginally published in the Morell magazine, Dec. 1946, by William J. Peterson. It is the history of Iowa, leading up to and including the first 100 years of becoming a state.

Intra-Industry Trade, Multilateral Trade Integration, and Invasive Species Risk, December 2006

We analyze the linkage between protectionism and invasive species (IS) hazard in the context of two-way trade and multilateral trade integration, two major features of real-world agricultural trade. Multilateral integration includes the joint reduction of tariffs and trade costs among trading partners. Multilateral trade integration is more likely to increase damages from IS than predicted by unilateral trade opening under the classic Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson (HOS) framework because domestic production (the base susceptible to damages) is likely to increase with expanding export markets. A country integrating its trade with a partner characterized by relatively higher tariff and trade costs is also more likely to experience increased IS damages via expanded domestic production for the same reason. We illustrate our analytical results with a stylized model of the world wheat market.

Discovering Historic Iowa Transportation Milestones, February 1999

In studying and forming an understanding of Iowa’s transportation history, we must surely develop a reverence for the lifestyles which preceded ours. Achieving a greater understanding of our past, we are better prepared to plan our future as we say farewell to the 20th century and move forward into the 21st. In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes: “I believe the greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving... and the further backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.” To help Iowans gain a better understanding of our state’s rich transportation past, the Iowa Department of Transportation has produced a collection of materials including this booklet, the 1999-2000 Iowa Transportation Map, a video entitled A History of Iowa’s Rivers, Roads, Rails and Runways, and a traveling photo exhibit. In addition, Iowa is fortunate to have many local organizations, and the state-owned museum and historic sites, working to preserve the history of our state. Listed in the back section of this booklet are the addresses and descriptions of many sites that offer visitors an opportunity to see a wide range of transportation- related artifacts. The information and photographs are organized in time sequence. However, you will note that many of the transportation eras overlap. The booklet begins with Iowa’s pre-settlement era and concludes with the historic highway and transit program that was signed into law by President Clinton in 1998. As you can imagine, condensing this much Iowa history into a booklet-sized resource was a monumental challenge. Making selections and abbreviating the information resulted in some difficult editorial choices. However, we hope this publication will inspire readers to learn more about our rich, rewarding past and to visit and experience some of Iowa’s historic sites.

Iowa Plan for Brain Injury, 2007-2010

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) impacts the lives of thousands of Iowans every year. TBI has been described as the “Silent Epidemic” because so often the scars are not visible to others. The affects of brain injury are cognitive, emotional, social, and can result in physical disability. In addition to the overwhelming challenges individuals with brain injury experience, families also face many difficulties in dealing with their loved one’s injury, and in navigating a service delivery system that can be confusing and frustrating. In 1998, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) conducted a comprehensive statewide needs assessment of brain injury in Iowa. This assessment led to the development of the first Iowa Plan for Brain Injury, “Coming Into Focus.” An updated state plan, the Iowa Plan for Brain Injuries 2002 – 2005, was developed, which reported on progress of the previous state plan, and outlined gaps in service delivery in Iowa. Four areas of focus were identified by the State Plan for Brain Injuries Task Force that included: 1) Expanding the Iowa Brain Injury Resource Network (IBIRN); 2) Promoting a Legislative and Policy Agenda, While Increasing Legislative Strength; 3) Enhancing Data Collection; and, 4) Increasing Funding. The IDPH utilized “Coming Into Focus” as the framework for an application to the federal TBI State Grant Program, which has resulted in more than $900,000 for plan implementation. Iowa continues to receive grant dollars through the TBI State Grant Program, which focuses on increasing capacity to serve Iowans with brain injury and their families. Highlighting the success of this grant project, in 2007 the IDPH received the federal TBI Program’s “Impacting Systems Change” Award. The Iowa Brain Injury Resource Network (IBIRN) is the product of nine years of TBI State Grant Program funding. The IBIRN was developed to ensure that Iowans got the information and support they needed after a loved one sustained a TBI. It consists of a hospital and service provider pre-discharge information and service linkage process, a resource facilitation program, a peer-to-peer volunteer support network, and a service provider training and technical assistance program. Currently over 90 public and private partners work with the IDPH and the Brain Injury Association of Iowa (BIA-IA) to administer the IBIRN system and ensure that families have a relevant and reliable location to turn for information and support. Further success was accomplished in 2006 when the Iowa legislature created the Brain Injury Services Program within the IDPH. This program consists of four components focusing on increasing access to services and improving the effectiveness of services available to individuals with TBI and their families, including: 1) HCBS Brain Injury Waiver-Eligible Component; 2) Cost Share Component; 3) Neuro-Resource Facilitation; and, 4) Enhanced Training. The Iowa legislature appropriated $2.4 million to the Brain Injury Services Program in state fiscal year (SFY) 2007, and increased that amount to $3.9 million in SFY 2008. The Cost Share Component models the HCBS Brain Injury Waiver menu of services but is available for Iowans who do not qualify functionally or financially for the Waiver. In addition, the Neuro-Resource Facilitation program links individuals with brain injury and their families to needed supports and services. The Iowa Plan for Brain Injury highlights the continued need for serving individuals with brain injury and their families. Additionally, the Plan outlines the paths of prevention and services, which will expand the current system and direct efforts into the future.