Palmer ends his Department of Human Services era

DES MOINES - Among the accomplishments Charles 'Chuck” Palmer considers significant during his time as the state's human services agency director are the 'unknown” situations his department was able to head off before vulnerable Iowans became potential headlines.

'The department does so many things that are never recognized. The things that we prevent,” said Palmer, 78, who retired Friday as head of the Iowa Department of Human Services. 'Think of how many unknown big deals go on every day.”

Palmer reflected earlier this week on his two stints as former Gov. Terry Branstad's choice as DHS director - once from 1989 to 1999 and again from 2011 to Friday.

Now that Kim Reynolds has taken over as governor, with Branstad taking on a new role as U.S. ambassador to China and state government beginning a new budgeting cycle, Palmer said it seemed like a good time to step aside and let someone else take charge of a government agency that touches the lives of 1 million Iowans every day.

'There's never a good time but this seemed like the right time,” said Palmer, who welcomed Reynolds announcement that Jerry Foxhoven will take over the agency, saying he will bring 'fresh eyes” and a different perspective to the department in charge of social service delivery for vulnerable children, elderly, disabled and dysfunctional Iowans.

Palmer thanked members of the Iowa Council on Human Services for their assistance during the past seven years that saw a number of challenges crop up as the state switched to privately managed Medicaid care and weathered legislative cycles that tackled divisive, 'heavy-lift” issues and ever-present money problems.

'I'd like to think we're a lot better now than where we were,” said Palmer, who noted his immediate plan is to engineer a seamless transition to new DHS leadership and 'then getting out of the way.”

During his time, Palmer led the department through massive system changes including welfare reform, mental health redesign, children's health insurance and Medicaid expansions, and the move to Medicaid managed care as part of his effort to rein in what he dubbed 'the Pac-Man” of the state budget.

'We have taken on some very emotionally charged issues as a state,” he said in a sort of exit interview.

'There's a part of me that thrives on tough issues,” he said. 'I was quite willing to take on the tough issues. I view that as a challenge where we had the opportunity to really make a difference and if you're taking on the tough issues that means that they probably are issues that really mean something and have real implications.”

Palmer leaves with his agency under fire from legislators and advocates following the shocking deaths of two adopted teen girls, one in West Des Moines and one in Perry. But he said he believes the department's decision to bring in outside help to assess Iowa's child-welfare system and make constructive recommendations will produce a positive outcome.

'I'd like to think that we're on the right path,” he said. 'I believe we've moved into a constructive dialogue and not just trying to find out where to place blame.”

Palmer said he doesn't have anything specific planned once he retires, but expects to do volunteer work and continue to be involved in human services issues.

'While I'm feeling good, full of energy and believe I have something to contribute, I'll be engaged,” he said.

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