Clabaugh Named Interim DHS Director, Continues IDPH Duties
On June 17, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Gerd W. Clabaugh to serve as interim director of the Department of Human Services (DHS). He will continue to serve as director of the Department of Public Health (IDPH) until a permanent DHS director is named.
“Gerd has done an incredible job at the Department of Public Health and is well positioned to lead the Department of Human Services,” said Gov. Reynolds. “He will play a very important role in implementing my vision for an integrated, compassionate, and coordinated health care system.”
Clabaugh has served as the director of IDPH since 2014.
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Interim Work Continues
Interim work for IDPH includes a number of efforts to address public health issues, improve the way we serve Iowans and meet new legislative requirements.
Highlights include:
- Working to identify ways for DHS' Mental Health and Disability Services and IDPH's Bureau of Substance Abuse to better address co-occurring conditions, with a report due this December to the Legislature.
- Continuing to support the governor's and legislature's efforts focused on children's mental health, including program development and board participation.
- Efforts to address maternal health needs in Iowa as more obstetrical units close, and as other chronic conditions impact maternal mortality rates. IDPH is planning a fall symposium to bring together partners in this field. Stay tuned for details.
- Program development on medical and psychiatric residency programs, and psychiatric training for physician assistants and nurse practitioners to increase access to services.
- Forming workforce strategies to align multiple efforts and address shortages in the health care arena.
- Working with stakeholders who receive line-item appropriations on identifying return on investment for taxpayers, and identifying potential flexibility in the distribution of funds to meet the department's goals and priorities. Report due in December.
- Attending various conferences and learning opportunities, including Iowa being selected to attend the National Governor's Association Center for Best Practices Learning Lab on State Strategies for Addressing Infectious Diseases Related to Substance Abuse.
- Meeting with legislators and other interested parties regarding enacted or proposed legislation. Meeting with local public health officials and other public health partners.
- Updating administrative rules to reflect changes in code requirements.
- Beginning to develop and review policy proposals, code clean up requirements and more in preparation for the 2020 legislative session.
IDPH Public Reports
IDPH is committed to good government that is transparent and serves Iowans. To that end, the department provides a vast amount of information to the public.
Some of the most accessed department reports include:
Find more at the IDPH webpage.
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Governor's Proclamations
In June, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed proclamations related to Drowning Prevention and Hepatitis C Awareness.
The department regularly seeks out the Governor's formal proclamations as another way to highlight important public health issues that impact Iowans, and IDPH has requested about three dozen proclamations in the past five years as part of outreach efforts.
At the end of this month, the governor will sign proclamations for August related to Breastfeeding Awareness and Concussion Awareness.
Staying in Touch
Communication on important health messages is critical to IDPH’s work.
If you'd like to receive IDPH news releases, meeting notices and more, you can visit https://www.iowa.gov/subscribe
We welcome you to follow IDPH social media networks on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest.
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