Iowa Administrative Code Agency 489 - Child Advocacy Board
Here’s a breakdown of Iowa Administrative Code – Agency 489 (Child Advocacy Board):
📘 1. Purpose & Authority
Established under Iowa Code § 237.16, the Board is tasked with performing duties outlined in Iowa Code § 237.18:
Maintaining a foster care registry
Operating/remitting local foster care review boards
Overseeing the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program
Administering funds, training, and annual reporting to key stakeholders like the Governor, legislature, DHS, courts, and child-placing agencies
It exists within Iowa’s Department of Health & Human Services, based in Des Moines
2. State Board Composition & Operations (Chapter 2)
The State Board has 9 governor-appointed members, confirmed by the Senate. Members represent specific roles:
1 active CASA volunteer,
1 active local foster care review board member,
1 judicial branch member from vetted nominees
Eligibility: Excludes DHS employees, child-placement agency workers, contracted service providers, foster parents, or district court staff—except for the designated judicial branch representative
Terms & meetings: Members serve four-year terms. They must meet at least twice yearly, in public sessions (unless a quorum votes to close under Iowa Code Ch. 21), with 7 days’ notice and recorded minutes
3. Program Oversight: Local Boards & CASA (Chapters 3-4)
Chapter 3 sets rules for creating and managing Local Foster Care Review Boards.
Chapter 4 governs the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program:
Defines volunteer certification requirements, case duties, protocols for release of information, and background checks
4. Governance & Regulatory Notes
These administrative rules are regularly updated (quarterly) and align with legislative changes (notably amendments in 2017, 2022, and adoption in 2024) .
Chapters 5 and onward include rescinded or reserved sections (e.g., Chapter 5 rescinded) .
🔎 Want to dive deeper?
See Chapter 1 (Purpose) for full definitions and regulatory text
See Chapter 2 (Rule 489‑2.1) for membership, officers, meetings, and procedural rules
For Chapters 3–4—expand your understanding of local review boards and CASA frameworks—you can access the full PDF manual.
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