Homers: What's going right

ONE OF A KIND: Four Oaks, a Cedar Rapids-based non-profit, offers a program found nowhere else in the state. It's an after-school class that teaches social skills to middle school and high school students who have Asperger's syndrome, a condition within the autism range of conditions. Many of these students have high IQs but struggle with developing natural social skills. The prevalence of Asperger's syndrome is not verified but autism affects one in 110 children and verified U.S. cases have been on the increase.

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DISASTER ASSISTANCE: Cedar Rapids city staff and community leaders' requests to address unmet needs of flood-affected businesses bore fruit last week. The state expanded the rental assistance program to also allow separate reimbursement for replacing equipment. Also, businesses can get up to $50,000 toward interest on an SBA or private disaster loan for up to three years.

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BACK PAY: Last week, Iowa National Guard members finally began receiving respite-leave pay benefits promised two years ago for their extended duty in Iraq. Bruce Braley, Iowa's 1st District congressman, led efforts to fix the problem.