Homers: What's going right

RIGHT TRACK: FasTrac, a 3-year-old student support program in Iowa City, has seen all 23 of its high school graduates go on to college, including 18 this year. Originally based at City High, it has been expanded into the community and is part of the Mayor's Youth Empowerment Program.

FasTrac took root after a rise in fighting and racial tension at City High in 2007. Now there are 65 kids in the program; most have moved to Iowa City from elsewhere, and there's a waiting list.

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MORE HELP: People and small business owners hurt by natural disasters this year can get help from the Iowans Helping Iowans flood assistance program. Up to $20 million has been authorized by Gov. Chet Culver for victims in counties with a presidential disaster declaration. It's similar to the Jumpstart program that moved resources into Cedar Rapids and other communities after the floods of 2008. Visit www.iowanshelpingiowans.com for more information.

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FEDS APPROVE: Iowa's efforts in flood-mitigation work since 2008 apparently helped the state qualify for an additional $84 million in federal disaster recovery funding last week.