Department of Human Services

Director:  Kevin Concannon
Website:  http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/

Charter Agency grants funded several projects, including a Web site for employers to conduct most of their business with the state’s child support system. Employers may use the site to report hires and discharges and to electronically send wage withholdings (child support) that, in turn, are sent to custodial parents. This voluntary tool saves postage costs and administrative time for employers. Since 70 percent of all child support is collected through withholding, it makes sense to simplify this task for employers. Another Charter grant finances a residency program to train physician assistants in psychiatry, thereby filling a void in psychiatric services in rural areas. Graduates, working under the supervision of a psychiatrist, will be able to perform an estimated 95 percent of a psychiatrist’s duties.

Charter Agency status contributed to other advances:

• The creation of a preferred drug list in which Iowa Medicaid negotiates rebates from drug companies,
• The creation of the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise that generates competition for best-of-breed specialty contracts rather than a winner-takes-all approach to Medicaid administration,
• Higher enrollment in the State’s health care insurance program for children, and
• Dramatic increases in food assistance (formerly food stamps).

Progress is assured because of the flexibility extended to Charter Agencies in areas of personnel, administrative rules, travel approval, and information technology.

In addition, Charter status shielded the agency from an across-the-board budget cut that would have resulted in a steep loss of services to Iowans who need them the most.

For more information:

Bill Gardam, Department of Human Services
515-281-5808
Bill.Gardam@hub.dhs.state.ia.us