Watershed Planning Advisory Council Final Interim Report To The Iowa Legislature, December 1, 2010

This report provides updates on the WPAC recommendations to legislature, including actions taken on those recommendations and any follow-up recommendations from WPAC. Recommendations include documentation of activities, and the needs and challenges toward making progress in protecting Iowa’s water resources, identified by WPAC in coordination with all agencies and stakeholders in the management of the state’s water resources in a sustainable, fiscally responsible, and environmentally conscientious manner.

Watershed Planning Advisory Council Annual Report to the Iowa Legislature, January 2014

This report provides updates on the WPAC recommendations to legislature, including actions taken on those recommendations and any follow-up recommendations from WPAC. Recommendations include documentation of activities, and the needs and challenges toward making progress in protecting Iowa’s water resources, identified by WPAC in coordination with all agencies and stakeholders in the management of the state’s water resources in a sustainable, fiscally responsible, and environmentally conscientious manner.

Capitol Planning Commission 2013 Annual Report

This 2013 Annual Report further summarizes the work of the Commission during the last year and provides planning recommendations for the future of the Capitol Complex. Please note that Iowa Code Chapter 8A.373 provides that before any physical changes are made to the state capitol complex "it shall be the duty of the officers, commissions, and councils charged by law with the duty of determining such questions to call upon" the Capitol Planning Commission for advice. The Capitol Planning Commission members, as well as DAS Staff, welcome the opportunity to discuss future projects at the request of any legislator.

Capitol Planning Commission 2015 Annual Report

This 2015 Annual Report further summarizes the work of the Commission during the last year and provides planning recommendations for the future of the Capitol Complex. Please note that Iowa Code Chapter 8A.373 provides that before any physical changes are made to the state capitol complex "it shall be the duty of the officers, commissions, and councils charged by law with the duty of determining such questions to call upon" the Capitol Planning Commission for advice. The Capitol Planning Commission members, as well as DAS Staff, welcome the opportunity to discuss future projects at the request of any legislator.

Comprehensive Water Planning In Iowa: Past Efforts, February 2009, December 24, 2012

This document looks at some of Iowa’s more comprehensive, statewide water planning efforts that addressed all aspects of water or a major water issue such as water quality.

Iowa’s Water Planning History, 2009, December 26, 2012

Since 1978 when the Water Plan ’78 was published, there have been no truly comprehensive water planning efforts initiated. The ’85 Water Plan and the ’87 Groundwater Protection Strategy were significant efforts that resulted in real advancements in water resource protection but were not truly comprehensive in nature. Other efforts, such as the Section 208 (CWA) plans, the 2000 Nonpoint Source Management Plan, and various conservation and recreation planning efforts that involve various aspects of water have been completed but, like the ’85 Water Plan, were not comprehensive in nature.

Water Planning Law and Government, November 2008

Water planning efforts typically identify problems and needs. But simply calling attention to issues is usually not enough to spur action; the end result of many well-intentioned planning efforts is a report that ends up gathering dust on a shelf. Vague recommendations like “Water conservation measures should be implemented” usually accomplish little by themselves as they don’t assign responsibility to anyone. Success is more likely when an implementation strategy — who can and should do what — is developed as part of the planning process. The more detailed and specific the implementation strategy, the greater the chance that something will actually be done.

Planning for Water Quality, July 2012

The following document serves two purposes. First, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a state to develop an approved Non-point Source Management Plan (NPSMP or Plan) that encompasses the nine key elements, described in full in Appendix A, to be eligible for federal Clean Water Act Section 319 funding. Second, the Plan serves as a representation of Iowa’s vision, goals, objectives and potential action steps to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality over the next five to ten years. This plan is not intended to be, nor should it be, limited to the Department of Natural Resources or Iowa’s Section 319 Program, but rather reflects the collective efforts and intents of the core partners and stakeholder groups that worked together to develop the goals identified herein and programmatic means of achieving those goals.

Planning, Developing, and Implementing the Iowa Pavement Marking Management System (IPMMS): Phases I and II, 2006

With an annual pavement marking program of approximately $2 million and another $750 thousand invested in maintenance of durable markings each year, the Iowa DOT is seeking every opportunity to provide all-year markings staying in acceptable condition under all weather conditions. The goal of this study is to analyze existing pavement marking practices and to develop a prototype Pavement Marking Management System (PMMS). This report documents the first two phases of a three-phase research project. Phase I includes an overview of the Iowa DOT’s existing practices and a literature review regarding pavement marking practices in other states. Based on this information, a work plan was developed for Phases II and III of this study. Phase II organized the key components necessary to develop a prototype PMMS for the Iowa DOT. The two primary components are (1) performance/life cycle curves for pavement marking products, and (2) an application matrix tailored to the pavement marking products and roadway and environmental conditions faced by the Iowa DOT. Both components will continue to be refined and tailored to Iowa materials and conditions as more performance data becomes available.

Pediatric advance care planning: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advance care planning (ACP) is increasingly regarded as the gold standard in the care of patients with life-limiting illnesses. Research has focused on adults, but ACP is also being practiced in pediatrics. We conducted a systematic review on empirical literature on pediatric ACP (pACP) to assess current practices, effects, and perspectives of pACP. METHODS: We searched PubMed, BELIT, and PSYCinfo for empirical literature on pACP, published January 1991 through January 2012. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened by 3 independent reviewers for studies that met the predefined criteria. The evidence level of the studies was assessed. Relevant study outcomes were retrieved according to predefined questions. RESULTS: We included 5 qualitative and 8 quantitative studies. Only 3 pACP programs were identified, all from the United States. Two of them were informed by adult programs. Major pACP features are discussions between families and care providers, as well as advance directives. A chaplain and other providers may be involved if required. Programs vary in how well they are evaluated; only 1 was studied by using a randomized controlled trial. Preliminary data suggest that pACP can successfully be implemented and is perceived as helpful. It may be emotionally relieving and facilitate communication and decision-making. Major challenges are negative reactions from emergency services, schools, and the community. CONCLUSIONS: There are few systematic pACP programs worldwide and none in Europe. Future research should investigate the needs of all stakeholders. In particular, the perspective of professionals has so far been neglected.

Planning-Level Guidelines for Modern Roundabouts, 2008

This technical memorandum provides preliminary planning-level guidance to engineers, technicians, planners, and policymakers who may be considering a modern roundabout at an existing or proposed intersection in Iowa.

Iowa's Maternal Health, Child Health and Family Planning Business Plan, January 2014

• Promotes access to regular preventive health care services for children through contracts with 22 agencies covering all of Iowa’s 99 counties • Fosters age appropriate growth and development by promoting early identification of children’s health concerns and referral for diagnosis and treatment • Assists families to establish medical and dental homes for their children • Targets low income families – children on Medicaid and those who are uninsured and under insured • Strives to meet family needs and remove barriers to accessing health care by linking families to community-based, culturally appropriate services

Juvenile Justice System Planning Data Iowa’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Council Three Year Comprehensive Plan with Additional Juvenile Justice System Information, November 2015

This report provides key juvenile justice system planning data, most of which are taken from Iowa’s 2015 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Three Year Plan. The data and related descriptions serve as an overview of decision making for major juvenile justice system processing points, and also assist state and local officials with policy and practice. Included in the report are school discipline data and data related to juvenile in the adult criminal justice system.