City of Elk Run Heights, June 30, 2002

City Audit Report

Youthful Offender Program Follow Up Report, 2001

In 1996, the Iowa Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning was asked by the Governor’s Alliance on Substance Abuse (GASA) to examine the five Youthful Offender Programs (YOPs) that were in operation at that time. The focus of the original study was to describe the programs, their clientele, and two outcome measures (program completion and recidivism). One section of the report provided a detailed description of each of the five programs in operation at the time of the original study and the findings for each. Another section of the report highlighted program completion rates and recidivism rates. The Youthful Offender Programs were designed to operate as part of a partnership with a number of different agencies (county attorneys, the district departments of correctional services, and a variety of different treatment agencies) to provide a holistic approach in the rehabilitation of youthful offenders. These programs were designed specifically for offenders between the ages of 16 and 21 who had committed first time felonies or aggravated misdemeanors as an alternative to incarceration or in response to non-compliant probationer behaviors. Offenders who were 16 and 17 years of age had to have been waived to the adult court to be eligible for entry to the program.

Developing an Effective Construction Training Program for Hispanic Supervisors and Craft Workers, January 2004

Hispanics make up a growing percentage of the craft workers entering the construction industry, and this has created several challenges for American construction companies. This study addresses the situation by investigating training needs for Hispanic construction craft workers and developing a training program for them within the industry. In order to evaluate current craft workers’ conditions within the construction industry, Iowa State University researchers conducted a survey, with 98 Hispanic craft workers as respondents from 10 construction companies, to determine current working conditions. The results confirm that the language barrier is an obstacle for both the Hispanic workers and the English-speaking employees involved in construction projects. As a part of this research, two training courses were designed to help both American construction companies and their Hispanic labor force to overcome the barriers that keep them from succeeding safely and productively. A training course titled English as a Second Language Survival Course was developed to facilitate basic communication between Hispanic workers and their American supervisors using construction-focused terminology. This course was delivered once as a trial run for a two-hour duration and twice for a full-length duration of eight hours. Important feedback was obtained from participants as part of the evaluations of the course. “How much of the course contents will be useful in your working environment” was asked; 40% of workers said “all of it” and 60% said “most of it.” Another question was “Was it worth taking the time to attend the course?” to which 94% answered “definitely” and 6% answered “yes.” A second training course titled Stepping Up to Supervisor Course for Hispanic Construction Workers was also developed to provide an effective tool to help companies promote those Hispanic craft workers whose willingness and skills meet the requirements to advance to a supervisory position in an American construction company. This course will be offered in the spring of 2004.

The Long-Run Impact of Corn-Based Ethanol on the Grain, Oilseed, and Livestock Sectors: A Preliminary Assessment, November 2006

The ongoing growth of corn-based ethanol production raises some fundamental questions about what impact continued growth will have on U.S. and world agriculture. Estimates of the long-run potential for ethanol production can be made by calculating the corn price at which the incentive to expand ethanol production disappears. Under current ethanol tax policy, if the prices of crude oil, natural gas, and distillers grains stay at current levels, then the break-even corn price is $4.05 per bushel. A multi-commodity, multi country system of integrated commodity models is used to estimate the impacts if we ever get to $4.05 corn. At this price, corn-based ethanol production would reach 31.5 billion gallons per year, or about 20% of projected U.S. fuel consumption in 2015. Supporting this level of production would require 95.6 million acres of corn to be planted. Total corn production would be approximately 15.6 billion bushels, compared to 11.0 billion bushels today. Most of the additional corn acres come from reduced soybean acreage. Wheat markets would adjust to fulfill increased demand for feed wheat. Corn exports and production of pork and poultry would all be reduced in response to higher corn prices and increased utilization of corn by ethanol plants. These results should not be viewed as a prediction of what will eventually materialize. Rather, they indicate a logical end point to the current incentives to invest in corn-based ethanol plants.

Audit report on the City of Elk Run Heights, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2006

Audit report on the City of Elk Run Heights, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2006.

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Listen Up!" -- for Tips on Buying a Hearing Aid, January 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Listen Up!" -- for Tips on Buying a Hearing Aid

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!, January 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!, July 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud!

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Hang up on long distance slamming!, January 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Hang up on long distance slamming!

Audit report on the City of Elk Run Heights, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2008

Audit report on the City of Elk Run Heights, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2008

Buckle-up Baby, May 2006

Six tips on how to keep your child safe in car seats, the correct way to buckle in babies into car seats.

Buckle-up Kid, May 2006

Six tips on how to keep your toddler and children safe in car seats, the correct way to buckle in them into car seats and seats belts.

Guidelines for Cleaning up Former Methamphetamine Labs, June 2009

Methamphetamine (meth) drug labs are not a new hazard to Iowa. In 2004, federal, state and local authorities seized more than 1,400 Iowa labs. These labs are discovered in houses, apartments, motel rooms, motor vehicles, and even an occasional combine. A dramatic decrease in the number of meth labs occurred in 2005 when a law restricting the purchase of pseudoephedrine was implemented. Although the number of meth labs has decreased, they continue to exist. Since there is currently no official federal guidance or regulations on how to clean up a former meth lab, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, has created these basic guidelines to assist public health officials, property owners and the general public in cleaning up former meth lab properties.

The Check-Up, January 2010

An update on issues and ideas related to health reform in Iowa Second Story Headline The Check-Up is a monthly health care reform newsletter designed to keep interested Iowans up to date on the progress of health reform initiatives assigned to IDPH.

The Check-Up, February 2010

An update on issues and ideas related to health reform in Iowa Second Story Headline The Check-Up is a monthly health care reform newsletter designed to keep interested Iowans up to date on the progress of health reform initiatives assigned to IDPH.