1. Policy. It is the policy of the state of Iowa to promote the best interests of children, youth, and families. In accordance with this policy, the division of child and family services shall do all of the following:
a. Promote coordination of federal, state, and local services by developing a plan to streamline delivery of services and making recommendations to the governor and general assembly by December 1 of each year.
b. Work with state agencies in an advisory capacity to help plan needed services for children, youth, and families.
c. Provide the director of human services, general assembly, and governor with recommendations and information to improve services for children, youth, and families by December 1 of each year.
d. Identify state and federal resources that can be used in local areas.
e. Provide information to parents to assist and support them in their parenting roles.
The commission shall examine issues related to the cycle of dependency which some families have on services, including, but not limited to, child care, chemical dependency, child welfare, youth employment, parent education, health, and education.
2. Commission. The commission on children, youth, and families is established.
a. The following persons or the persons' designees are members of the commission:
(1) The director of the Iowa department of public health.
(2) The director of the department of education.
(3) The director of the department of corrections.
(4) The director of the department of human rights.
b. The following members of the commission shall be appointed by the governor:
(1) A member of a county board of supervisors.
(2) A member of the board of directors of a school corporation.
(3) One citizen, who shall be a professional family counselor.
(4) Seven citizens who have expertise in the areas of child care, child welfare, youth employment, maternal and child health, chemical dependency, education, or law.
(5) A person sixteen through eighteen years of age at the time of appointment.
c. The following shall be nonvoting members of the commission:
(1) Two members of the senate, not more than one from any political party, appointed by the president of the senate, after consultation with the majority leader and the minority leader of the senate.
(2) Two members of the house of representatives, not more than one from any political party, appointed by the speaker of the house after consultation with the majority leader and the minority leader of the house.
(3) A district judge appointed by the governor.
(4) The administrator of the division of child and family services.
d. The members of the commission appointed by the governor shall be appointed to terms of four years beginning May 1. Legislative members shall be appointed to terms of two years beginning January 1 of odd-numbered years. However, members appointed under paragraphs "b" and "c" shall cease to be members if they no longer hold the office from which they were appointed. Not more than six of the members appointed under paragraph "b" shall belong to the same political party at the time of appointment. Of the members appointed under paragraph "b", at least two members shall be members of a minority race. For purposes of this section, Hispanics shall be considered a racial group. A person designated under paragraph "a" is appointed for a term of four years beginning May 1 and must be an assistant director, or head of a division, bureau, or section of that agency whose function relates to children, youth, or families while serving on the commission. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
e. The members of the commission shall elect from the commission's voting membership a chairperson of the commission. The commission shall meet at regular intervals at least six times each year and may hold special meetings at the call of the chairperson or at the request of a majority of the voting members.
f. The purpose of the commission is to promote coordination of state, local, and private programs, resources, and services to meet the needs of children, youth, and families. The commission shall work to identify unmet needs and to develop a plan to meet those needs and to improve coordination of efforts. The commission shall serve as an advocate for Iowa's children, youth, and families to decision- making bodies and to the public. The commission shall make an annual report to the general assembly and governor by December 1 of its activities and legislative recommendations. The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the commission.
g. Members of the commission, while engaged in their official duties, shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses. Members may also be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6.
h. The commission may receive federal funds or any grants or gifts on behalf of the state for the purposes within its jurisdiction. All federal funds, grants, and gifts shall be deposited with the treasurer of state and used only for the purposes agreed upon as conditions for receipt of the funds, grants, or gifts.
i. The commission shall have the responsibility of budgetary decisions for the commission.
91 Acts, ch 109, § 3; 92 Acts, ch 1163, § 49
Iowa General Assembly
Search: Iowa Code 1995
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