Welcoming New Iowans: A Guide for Managers and Supervisors; The Best Practices of Iowa Employers with Immigrants and efugees in the Workplace, 2002

This guidebook has been published by the University of Northern Iowa New Iowans Program to assist employers, managers and supervisors with the unique challenges associated with hiring, training and integrating immigrant and refugee workers. Its purpose is to promote proactive engagement of newcomer workers to assure the vitality of Iowa businesses. Successful integration of immigrants and refugees in our workplaces and communities is essential to insure Iowa’s long-term economic and social health. This book provides essential information for human resource directors, trainers, supervisors and others as they meet the challenges and rewards of hiring immigrants and refugees. Of course, no guidebook can provide simple solutions to complex issues in a great variety if workplaces. This is not a “cookbook” with recipes that provide easy answers to challenges facing every company and worker. All employers are unique and approach problems differently. What works in one company might not work as well in another.

Affirmative Action in Iowa, September 2005

In accordance with 19B.5 of the Code of Iowa, the 2005 Affirmative Action in Iowa report illustrates the progress made during fiscal year 2005 to balance the State's worforce, the challenges that the State must address and the effort that the Department of Administratie Services must lead in order to remove barriers that limit the hiring, retention and advancement of females, minorities and persons with disabilities in the State's workforce. Highlighted in the report are four departments that initiated proactive and innovative measures to address their workplace equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity programs. Additionally, the Department of Administrative Services-Human Resources Enterprise outlines its plan to build on its past efforts as well as pursue new initiatives to partner with advocacy groups and reach out to the commuity more directely to enhance employment opportunities for females, minorities and persons with disabilities in State of Iowa employment.

Affirmative Action in Iowa, September 2005

In accordance with 19B.5 of the Code of Iowa, the 2005 Affirmative Action in Iowa report illustrates the progress made during fiscal year 2005 to balance the State's worforce, the challenges that the State must address and the effort that the Department of Administratie Services must lead in order to remove barriers that limit the hiring, retention and advancement of females, minorities and persons with disabilities in the State's workforce. Highlighted in the report are four departments that initiated proactive and innovative measures to address their workplace equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity programs. Additionally, the Department of Administrative Services-Human Resources Enterprise outlines its plan to build on its past efforts as well as pursue new initiatives to partner with advocacy groups and reach out to the commuity more directely to enhance employment opportunities for females, minorities and persons with disabilities in State of Iowa employment.

TOPSpro Data Dictionary, July 1, 2005–June 30, 2006

The passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 [Public Law 105-220] by the 105th Congress has ushered in a new era of collaboration, coordination, cooperation and accountability. The overall goal of the Act is “to increase the employability, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and, as a result improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.” The key principles inculcated in the Act are: • Streamlining services; • Empowering individuals; • Universal access; • Increased accountability; • New roles for local boards; • State and local flexibility; • Improved youth programs. The purpose of Title II, The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 is to create a partnership among the federal government, states, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy services in order to: • Assist adults become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; • Assist adults who are parents obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; • Assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education. Adult education is an important part of the workforce investment system. Title II restructures and improves programs previously authorized by the Adult Education Act. AEFLA focuses on strengthening program quality by requiring States to give priority in awarding funds to local programs that are based on a solid foundation of research, address the diverse needs of adult learners, and utilize other effective practices and strategies. To promote continuous program involvement and to ensure optimal return on the Federal investment, AEFLA also establishes a State performance accountability system. Under this system, the Secretary and each State must reach agreement on annual levels of performance for a number of “core indicators” specified in the law: • Demonstrated improvements in literacy skill levels in reading, writing, and speaking the English language, numeracy, problem solving, English language acquisition, and other literacy skills. • Placement in, retention in, or completion of postsecondary education, training, unsubsidized employment or career advancement. • Receipt of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Iowa’s community college based adult basic education program has implemented a series of proactive strategies in order to effectively and systematically meet the challenges posed by WIA. The Iowa TOPSpro Data Dictionary is a direct result of Iowa’s pro-active efforts in this educational arena.

Working with Persons with Disabilities: Title I of The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide for State Supervisors and Managers, 2003

What are a supervisor’s responsibilities when it comes to interviewing, hiring, and retaining persons with disabilities? First and foremost, do not discriminate against persons with disabilities. What this means is that you are required to provide the same level of employment consideration and supervision for a disabled employee that you would for an able-bodied employee. No more – no less. State of Iowa management personnel must be proactive with regard to Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and managers and supervisory personnel should have an operational knowledge of the significant aspects of The Americans with Disabilities Act. This manual is for Iowa management personnel to use.

Summary of FY 2011 Budget and Governor's Recommendations, February 1, 2010

The purpose of this document is to provide the General Assembly with information concerning FY 2011 General Fund estimated receipts and the Governor’s budget recommendations. The information provides an overall summary of the State budget and is intended to help the General Assembly take a proactive approach to the budgetary process. In addition, the document is intended to provide the General Assembly with an overview of the General Fund, including revenues and expenditures. Information regarding other State appropriated funds is also included. If you need additional information regarding Department requests, Governor’s recommendations, or other fiscal information, refer to the Fiscal Services Division staff listing. The staff listing will indicate the appropriate analyst to contact for detailed information by subcommittee and subject area.

Climate Change Impacts on Iowa, 2010, January 1, 2011

Today, perhaps without their realization, Iowans are factoring climate change into their lives and activities. Current farming practices and flood mitigation efforts, for example, are reflecting warmer winters, longer growing seasons, warmer nights, higher dew-point temperatures, increased humidity, greater annual stream flows, and more frequent severe precipitation events (Fig. 1) than were prevalent during the past 50 years. Some of the effects of these changes (such as longer growing season) may be positive, while others (particularly the tendency for greater precipitation events that lead to flooding) are negative. Climate change embodies all of these results and many more in a complex manner. The Iowa legislature has been proactive in seeking advice about climate change and its impacts on our state. In 2007, Governor Culver and the Iowa General Assembly enacted Senate File 485 and House File 2571 to create the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council (ICCAC). ICCAC members reported an emissions inventory and a forecast for Iowa’s greenhouse gases (GHGs), policy options for reducing Iowa’s GHG, and two scenarios charting GHG reductions of 50% and 90% by 2050 from a baseline of 2005. Following issuance of the final report in December 2008, the General Assembly enacted a new bill in 2009 (Sec. 27, Section 473.7, Code 2009 amended) that set in motion a review of climate change impacts and policies in Iowa. This report is the result of that 2009 bill. It continues the dialogue between Iowa’s stakeholders, scientific community, and the state legislature that was begun with these earlier reports.

Commissioner’s Planning Guidance, 2013

As technology evolves, vital resources shift, and the state’s population diversifies, Public Safety will have a unique opportunity to show our integrity, values, and worth to the citizens of Iowa. To take advantage of this unique moment in history, and will remain committed to, proactive and on-going strategic mapping. This strategic work will always be guided by Public Safety’s mission and core values, as well as by our responsibility to support local Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices.

Quantifying Uncertainty in Real Time Performance Measurement for Highway Winter Maintenance Operations – Phase 2, RB03-013, 2014

Winter weather in Iowa is often unpredictable and can have an adverse impact on traffic flow. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) attempts to lessen the impact of winter weather events on traffic speeds with various proactive maintenance operations. In order to assess the performance of these maintenance operations, it would be beneficial to develop a model for expected speed reduction based on weather variables and normal maintenance schedules. Such a model would allow the Iowa DOT to identify situations in which speed reductions were much greater than or less than would be expected for a given set of storm conditions, and make modifications to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The objective of this work was to predict speed changes relative to baseline speed under normal conditions, based on nominal maintenance schedules and winter weather covariates (snow type, temperature, and wind speed), as measured by roadside weather stations. This allows for an assessment of the impact of winter weather covariates on traffic speed changes, and estimation of the effect of regular maintenance passes. The researchers chose events from Adair County, Iowa and fit a linear model incorporating the covariates mentioned previously. A Bayesian analysis was conducted to estimate the values of the parameters of this model. Specifically, the analysis produces a distribution for the parameter value that represents the impact of maintenance on traffic speeds. The effect of maintenance is not a constant, but rather a value that the researchers have some uncertainty about and this distribution represents what they know about the effects of maintenance. Similarly, examinations of the distributions for the effects of winter weather covariates are possible. Plots of observed and expected traffic speed changes allow a visual assessment of the model fit. Future work involves expanding this model to incorporate many events at multiple locations. This would allow for assessment of the impact of winter weather maintenance across various situations, and eventually identify locations and times in which maintenance could be improved.

Summary of FY 2014 Budget and Governor's Recommendations, January 17, 2013

The purpose of this document is to provide the General Assembly with information related to FY General Fund estimated receipts and the Governor’s recommendations. This information provides an overall summary of the State budget and is intended to help the General Assembly take a proactive approach toward the budgeting process.

Summary of FY 2013 Budget and Governor's Recommendations, January 12, 2012

The purpose of this document is to provide the General Assembly with information related to FY General Fund estimated receipts and the Governor’s recommendations. This information provides an overall summary of the State budget and is intended to help the General Assembly take a proactive approach toward the budgeting process.

Summary of FY 2012 and FY 2013 Budget and Governor's Recommendations, January 31,2011

The purpose of this document is to provide the General Assembly with information related to FY General Fund estimated receipts and the Governor’s recommendations. This information provides an overall summary of the State budget and is intended to help the General Assembly take a proactive approach toward the budgeting process.

Summary of FY 2010 Budget and Governor's Recommendations, January 2009

The purpose of this document is to provide the General Assembly with information related to FY General Fund estimated receipts and the Governor’s recommendations. This information provides an overall summary of the State budget and is intended to help the General Assembly take a proactive approach toward the budgeting process. Revised document attached: ****including allocation of ARRA (federal stimulus) funds****

Summary of FY 2009 Budget and Governor's Recommendations, January 2008

The purpose of this document is to provide the General Assembly with information related to FY General Fund estimated receipts and the Governor’s recommendations. This information provides an overall summary of the State budget and is intended to help the General Assembly take a proactive approach toward the budgeting process.

Summary of FY 2008 Budget and Governor's Recommendations, January 2007

The purpose of this document is to provide the General Assembly with information related to FY General Fund estimated receipts and the Governor’s recommendations. This information provides an overall summary of the State budget and is intended to help the General Assembly take a proactive approach toward the budgeting process.