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Senate Update: We must protect all vulnerable Iowans, like foster children, disabled & seniors
by Bob Dvorsky, State Senator · Op-Ed · June 22, 2017
Iowans are outraged over crises at the Iowa’s Department of Human Services that seem to come one after another—most recently with the death of 16-year-old Sabrina Ray, who had been adopted out of foster care and was being home-schooled when her body was found in May in a Perry home.
Our seniors, disabled Iowans and abused kids deserve dignity and the best-possible quality of life. That’s why Democrats at the Statehouse are pushing for fixes to Iowa’s safety net.
We must backtrack on privatized Medicaid, which has wreaked havoc on Iowa’s health care system; we have to provide adequate help for Iowans struggling with mental illnesses; and we need to protect children when they have nowhere else to turn.
Republicans who control state government have refused to act, but that may be changing.
The DHS director has decided to retire. That gives us the opportunity to renew our commitment to protecting vulnerable Iowans with fresh leadership. Advocating for those who have no voice must be their top priority.
That won’t solve all the problems, though. Budget priorities are also a huge concern.
Governor Reynolds and Legislative Republicans must fix the deadly mistakes they made this year when they cut $24 million from DHS. This includes $16 million for workers who investigate child abuse—the folks on the front lines in preventing more Iowa kids from being injured or killed.
How Iowa is failing at-risk kids and what we can do about it is something the State Government Oversight Committee has to address. We must have an open, honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses at DHS and what the department needs to succeed, including:
• Iowa’s foster and adoption system. How are foster and adoptive parents recruited, screened, trained and monitored? How they are they compensated? Is money allotted for special needs foster care and adoption? What’s the process for severing parental rights?
• Child abuse. How are abuse concerns handled? What can we do to prevent child abuse?
• Home schooling. How are home-schools monitored? What are the criteria for foster children to be home schooled? Do the department of Education and Human Services work together?
• Funding cuts. How has funding impacted DHS? Are there enough case workers? What do their jobs entail? Can they meet the needs of their communities?
To contact Senator Dvorsky during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise he can be reached at home at 319-351-0988. E-mail him at bob.dvorsky@legis.iowa.gov.
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