Capitol Notebook: Enrollment for Iowa summer food program begins

Iowa families can now register for the state’s summer feeding program.

Announced by Gov. Kim Reynolds in May, the program, named “Healthy Kids Iowa,” will provide low-income families across the state with $40 worth of “fresh and nutritious food” per child per month in June, July and August.

The program is an alternative to the Summer Electronic Benefit Program, now known as SUN Bucks, which gives households pre-loaded cards with $120 per child to spend on SNAP-eligible food to substitute for school meals during the summer months.

Reynolds’ administration previously submitted waiver requests to the USDA seeking to opt out of the SUN Bucks program. Those waiver requests were rejected in 2023 and again in November by the Biden administration. In May, the request was approved by the Trump administration.

The program will use federal funding to expand the summer meal sites program that the state ran last year, where qualifying families were given a box each month over three months.

Under the new program, households will choose from a selection of food each month that aligns with cultural and dietary needs at distribution sites set up in partnership with Feeding America food banks across the state. Sites will offer a selection of “healthy and kid-friendly” foods, including fruits, vegetables, dairy items, whole grains and proteins.

To qualify for the program, households be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level and have children between the ages of 4 and 18 years. The application for The Emergency Food Assistance Program will be used to determine eligibility. Registration opened Monday.

More information on summer meal location sites across at fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder.

New warden named for Iowa State Penitentiary

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Mark C. Foreman will serve as the new warden of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, a maximum-security prison for men.

Foreman previously served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and spent two decades in leadership roles at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He also served as warden of Cibola County Correctional Center and most recently as senior warden at Cimarron Correctional Facility in Oklahoma.

“I am honored to join the team at the Iowa State Penitentiary,” Foreman said in a statement. “This facility has a long and respected history, and I look forward to working alongside the dedicated staff here to continue the important mission of the Iowa Department of Corrections. I am committed to providing safe, secure, and humane environments that support rehabilitation and public safety.”

The role was previously held by Chris Tripp, who served in the role since 2021 before retiring.

“The Iowa State Penitentiary is a cornerstone of our institution system, and we are confident that Mark is the right leader to guide it into the future,” Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections Beth Skinner said in a statement. “His proven track record, both in federal and state systems, along with his passion for public service, make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team.”

Reynolds signs math proficiency bill

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill Monday aimed at improving math education in the state as student scores decline in the subject.

Reynolds’ proposal will establish a new math instruction model, including early screening and intervention for students who are struggling in class. It also will promote early identification, progress monitoring and evidence-based intervention; provide resources for families to advance children’s math development at home; and support teachers with additional training and professional development.

“One of the greatest predictors of future success in the classroom and workplace, along with early literacy, is math proficiency,” Reynolds said in a statement. “This bill will ensure children who are struggling in math are identified and receive the personalized help that they need.”

Iowa math scores fell last year, from 7th to 30th in the nation in fourth grade and 15th to 23rd in the nation in eighth grade, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The law — House File 784 — which goes into effect July 1, also directs the Iowa Department of Education to implement a statewide plan and approve math screeners for K-6 classrooms.

Baby declared safe haven in May

A baby girl born May 23 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Under the Safe Haven Act, enacted in 2002, parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old can drop them off at locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. This is the 77th infant taken in by Iowa DHHS since the law was passed, and the third one this year.

The baby will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau