Today's DHS Meeting

Today a meeting was held at the Iowa Department of Human Services in Des Moines at the invitation of Vern Armstrong, Chief of the Bureau of Protective Services of the DHS, two staffers and Andy, Lindsey and Richard Christie. The meeting began at 1 p.m. and lasted about two and a half hours.

Topics covered in detail were the assessment reports from DHS that the Christies have received. There are two other reports that the Christies have not as yet received because they have been sealed by the Floyd County Attorney, Marilyn Dettmer. These two reports are not even available to the Executive branch including the Governor. The content or nature of these reports was not discussed at the meeting.

The “missing” six reports were purged by the system because there was no assessment report required. All parties were allowed to ask questions and to discuss DHS policy and legal requirements of the agency.

A few items will be requiring follow-up action from the DHS. The Christies will be in contact with Mr. Armstrong for that information or if they have any further comments or questions.

The Christies did not have a full working knowledge of the agency. They were informed that all assessments are sent to the County Attorney and Juvenile Court Judge’s offices within the county where the child lives. This acts as a double check on the operations of the DHS.

Suggestions were made by the Christies about how the agency could do an even better job to help protect children receiving their services. Andy offered his help to the agency in endorsing any legislation recommended.

Because of ongoing investigations and the nature of the case, the reports are not as yet public information so no detail from those reports may be released to the press or public at this time.

Andy was invited by Mr. Armstrong to review the total group of reports when they are released by Ms. Dettmer but prior to public release.

It is the family’s hope that by working with the DHS, that important changes can be made to help better safeguard even more of Iowa’s children.