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Your Capitol Voice: Adoptive, foster families must prove child’s health
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · August 10, 2017
I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer and are surviving the heat. In my role as the Chair of Government Oversight, I do not have an “End of Session.”
My job requires me to work through the year and often continue meetings in Des Moines. I am also still working through all of the emails from this spring and summer so if you have an important matter I haven’t gotten back to you on – let me know and I will get back to you today!
One of my key priorities last session was passed into law and was implemented on July 1. The Rock Island Clean Line is dead in my District. Finally the people of northern Cedar County can breathe easy as the bullying of this Texas company and its threat of condemnation is finished. We must remain vigilant, though, as these greed-driven proposals often rear their head in other forms.
I have important progress to report to you that I hope shows you your government can work for you. I’ve outlined a few issues:
Mental Health – I have been a strong advocate this year for the state CON (Certificate of Need) board to approve a mental health facility proposed in Bettendorf. With its proximity to our district, this facility would alleviate a lot of pressure when it comes to finding mental health beds. I have heard too many stories of law enforcement and families having to drive hours on end to find a bed. I was very frustrated by this board turning the facility down and I ran a bill last year to take that authority away from them. I was prepared to run that bill again next year but I am very happy to report that this week the board approved the new facility! I expect construction to begin soon. Congratulations to Cedar County Supervisor, Dawn Smith, for her convincing testimony at the hearing.
DHS – As many of you have seen, my Oversight Committee launched an investigation following the tragic deaths of two girls in central Iowa. These two innocent children were starved to death, allegedly by their adoptive parents. I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with many wonderful DHS workers in our district. Their work is thankless and they certainly aren’t doing it for the money, but rather their love of helping the most vulnerable. We had to get to the bottom of how two young girls could independently be victims of these horrific crimes.
During our Oversight hearing, we identified a major flaw in the system. If you are receiving a check from the state to take care of a child, you have no requirement to prove you are giving that child basic health care. I found that to be stunning. 99% of the adoptive and foster parents I have met are wonderful people who go above and beyond caring for their kids. What caused me great alarm was that the system inadvertently may allow a monster to care for a child, collect the check, and be accountable to no one to ensure the child is receiving care.
I am happy to report to you today that the new DHS director met with me and he is proactively instituting this change before we even go back to session. If you are getting paid to take care of a child, you now have to provide proof of their well-being. My gratitude to the thousands of people in this state, social workers, adoptive and foster parents, law enforcement, and many others who help Iowa’s children to grow up safely and with hopes for the future.
Ensuring we have access to mental health facilities and making sure kids aren’t in the care of monsters is not a partisan issue. I have worked with both Democrats and Republicans to help make this happen and will continue to do so.
IPERS-Finally, I want to address the conversations and hearings being held regarding IPERS. I want to ensure everyone who is a part of IPERS that your retirement is safe and will continue to be. There was an unfortunate editorial in the Gazette. I am being complimentary when I call it misleading and partisan. Every two years a bipartisan committee meets to ensure our retirement fund is solvent and our promises can be kept. Sometimes the speakers at these meetings are controversial. Some groups are deliberately distorting this issue to score political points. Let me crystal clear here: I have said it before and I will say it again: I am a strong NO on any bill that would negatively impact the retirement promise that has been made to you.
Enjoy your summer and feedback is always appreciated!
You may contact Rep. Kaufmann at bobby.kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov, 515-281-3221 or 1527 330th St. Wilton, IA, 52778
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