| LAWS OF THE 2001 REGULAR SESSION OF THE SEVENTY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA |
Section 1. Section 28.4, subsection 12, Code 2001, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
NEW PARAGRAPH. e. It is the intent of the general assembly to convene a summit meeting under the auspices of the legislative council during the 2001 legislative interim to consider the issues described in this paragraph "e". In addition to members of the general assembly, those invited to participate in the meeting may include members of the Iowa empowerment board and community empowerment area boards, representatives of the governor, persons participating in community empowerment initiative services, representatives of programs offered through the funding streams enumerated in paragraph "d", and other persons involved in efforts to achieve the desired results identified for the community empowerment initiative. It is anticipated that those participating in the summit meeting will produce a report with findings and recommendations for consideration during the 2002 legislative session. The issues for consideration at the summit meeting may include but are not limited to the following:
(1) Assessing the status of the efforts to achieve full cooperation between the programs offered through the funding streams identified in paragraph "d" and community empowerment area boards in order to avoid duplication, enhance efforts, combine planning, and take other steps to best utilize public funding to meet the needs of the families in the areas. In addition, the summit participants shall make recommendations as to removing barriers or other steps that may be taken so that the programs and community empowerment area board efforts may be more fully integrated.
(2) Implementing an approach to move toward a statewide equalization of the public funding provided for community empowerment initiative programs and other state funding streams directed to similar purposes.
(3) Identifying other age groups or result areas that may be incorporated within or supported by the community empowerment initiative. In addition, consideration may be given to opportunities identified by the governor for expanding the role of the community empowerment initiative as part of the governor's efforts to reorganize and redirect state government.
(4) Considering other issues, concerns, and opportunities for the community empowerment initiative identified at the local and state levels.
Sec. 2. Section 28.7, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2001, is amended to read as follows:
a. Designate a public agency of this state, as defined in section 28E.2, a community action agency as defined in section 216A.91, an area education agency established under section 273.2, or a nonprofit corporation, to be the fiscal agent for grant moneys and for other moneys administered by the community board.
Sec. 3. GRANT DISTRIBUTION DIRECTIVE. If an appropriation of at least seventeen million nine hundred thousand dollars is enacted for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001, for deposit in the school ready children grants account of the Iowa empowerment fund created in section 28.9, the Iowa empowerment board shall authorize distribution of school ready children grants to designated community empowerment areas in accordance with this section. Those designated community empowerment areas that first received a school ready grant1 in fiscal year 2000-2001, shall be eligible to receive the school ready children grant amounts provided to those areas in that fiscal year, as annualized for a full fiscal year. All other designated community empowerment areas are eligible to receive a school ready children grant in the same amount as the areas received in fiscal year 2000-2001. In order for the community empowerment areas to receive the grant for which the areas are eligible, the community empowerment area board must submit a written plan amendment extending by one year the area's comprehensive school ready children grant plan developed for providing services for children from birth through five years of age and provide other information specified by the Iowa empowerment board. The amendment may also provide for changes in the programs and services provided under the plan. The Iowa empowerment board shall establish a submission deadline for the plan amendment that allows a reasonable period of time for preparation of the plan amendment and for review and approval or request for modification of the plan amendment by the Iowa empowerment board. In addition, the community empowerment board must continue to comply with reporting provisions and other requirements adopted by the Iowa empowerment board in implementing section 28.8.
Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
Approved May 2, 2001
1 School ready "children" grant probably intended
Updated: 28-Oct-2001 02:10 PM
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