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Recent News
PUSH FOR DISABLED: Director Krogmeier has instructed DHS staff to speed up efforts to ensure choice and dignity for the disabled. Krogmeier said he is emphasizing programs to prevent institutionalization and to provide the option for community care for people already living in large facilities. See details here.
SAFE HAVEN: For the 14th time, DHS officials are implementing the state's Safe Haven law after a woman brought a newborn child to a hospital following a home delivery. The mother said she wanted to give up the baby. Details here. Unwanted babies up to age 14 days may be brought to any health facility with no questions asked under Iowa's Safe Haven law.
MHI REVIEW: Iowa law requires the DHS to submit a proposal to close one of the mental health institutes without loss of service. Director Charles Krogmeier's recommendation is to close the MHI at Mount Pleasant and consolidate service at Independence. See the full report here. See a news release here. The Legislature also created a task force to review all four MHIs. The task force recommended keeping all four MHIs. See the task force reporthere. Here is a thorough overview of the MHIs.
DHS RESTRUCTURE: Director Krogmeier has recommended, and the Council on Human Services has approved, the first major restructuring of the agency since 2002. Nine administrative divisions are being collapsed into six, and eight regional offices are being combined into five. See a news release here and the new table of organization here. Krogmeier also named key leaders.
BUDGET CUTS: All state agencies must cut their Iowa general fund budgets by 10 percent because of the state's financial crisis. Click here to see spreadsheets of proposed cuts by all agencies, including DHS. Gov. Culver disapproved several proposed DHS cuts. See the entire "add back" list here.
H1N1 FLU: Several cases of H1N1 have been confirmed in Iowa and more are likely as flu season approaches. To help stem spread of the disease, Iowans are urged to follow common sense courtesies such such as staying home if you are ill, covering your cough, and washing your hands. Click here to view information developed by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and DHS for foster homes and group care facilities. The IDPH will also keep up-to-date information at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1. For more information, 1-800-447-1985.
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