Session can’t end until care of troubled boys and girls is resolved: Governor needs to comply with document request
Statement by Senator Steve Sodders of Marshalltown on the floor of the Senate
Colleagues, here’s a short update on a serious problem with a deadline.
Governor Branstad’s abrupt decision to close the Iowa Juvenile Home created a number of problems.
It is the Legislature’s job to help solve those problems.
The Senate has passed legislation on this issue. The House has not taken up that legislation.
So we must settle these issues through the budget process, and I hope that Representative Fisher and Speaker Paulson will help us on that..
This is an important, difficult social issue.
It may not affect very many people directly, but it matters a great deal to Iowa boys and girls in need of serious help, to their families, and to their communities.
Here’s our problem: We need information. We’ve asked for the information. We’ve haven’t gotten a response.
Specifically, we need to know what Governor Branstad and his administration have done, are doing, and are planning with regard to this issue. We’ve heard nothing.
On January 15, the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, (LSA), sent a confidential request on the Legislature’s behalf to the Iowa Department of Human Services.
This LSA request asked for information about the Branstad administration’s plans for the care of Iowa’s most troubled young girls.
LSA, as you know, is the Legislature’s information gathering agency.
LSA is approved to handle all sorts of documents, including confidential materials.
In fact, LSA can subpoena records, if legal action is required.
The Branstad Administration received the LSA request two and a half months ago.
We’ve heard nothing back.
In summary: We need this information to address a serious issue and the session won’t end until we reach agreement.
END
January 15, 2014 request for Branstad Administration documents
From: Montgomery, Estelle [LEGIS]
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 3:21 PM
To: Harbison, Jennifer [DHS]
Subject: RFI: Toledo
Jen,
I have a confidential request with a deadline of Thursday, January 30, 2014. Please tell me if some portions of this request cannot be fulfilled by then and the new estimated date.
I need to request all correspondence and other written documents and communication between DHS, the Governor’s office and DOM, other departments, other units of DHS, current and potential vendors, Magellan, juvenile court services and other elements of the judicial branch volunteers, DRI, and others who have an interest in or involvement with IJH, the services provided through IJH, or alternatives to placements at IJH. Specifically, the following information is requested:
1. The authority and decision making process for closure of IJH.
2. Budget, policy, and other documents concerning plans and any planning options regarding alternatives to the placements of juveniles who would otherwise be placed at IJH.
3. IME-related involvement with IJH alternatives.
4. Policies for IJH alternative placements and placement recommendations.
5. Reimbursement rate structure being utilized with the providers of services to children who would otherwise be placed at IJH.
6. Elements of the agreements with providers of services to IJH, specifically no eject/no reject policies or how a provider can reject a placement or eject a child from a placement.
7. Communication with the Tama-Toledo school district and the area education agency about assuming a greater role in the educational services provided to students placed at IJH.
8. Crosswalk with the treatment plans of the children who were placed or would otherwise be placed at IJH with such plans of the service providers for the children in alternative placements.
Thank you,
Estelle Montgomery
March 15, 2014 repeat request for Branstad Administration Documents
March 25, 2014
Dear Governor Branstad:
I am writing to request that you direct the Department of Human Services (DHS) to respond to the Legislative Services Agency’s (LSA) request for information regarding the Iowa Juvenile Home. Please see attached request.
Iowa Code Chapter 2A.3 states that State agencies shall cooperate with the LSA to make available requested information. Using this authority, the LSA submitted an information request concerning the Iowa Juvenile Home to the Department of Human Services (DHS) on January 15th, including a suggested response date of January 30th. DHS responded on January 27th – three days prior to the suggested response date – with clarifying questions. The LSA responded to those questions on January 29th and suggested the Department should provide information as it became available, rather than waiting to respond with all of the requested information at once.
It has been more than two months since information was requested and nothing has been received. It is time to stop obstructing the Legislature’s access to information. Iowans lose when government operates in the dark and decision-makers do not have access to information necessary to make good decisions.
Please direct the DHS to fulfill the LSA’s information request within five business days. Iowa Code 2A.3 also provides the LSA subpoena power to access information. It is my hope that we can avoid that step and work in a collaborative manner.
Sincerely,
Senator Janet Petersen
Chair, Senate Oversight Committee
cc: Kim Reynolds
Glen Dickinson