DES MOINES -Today, the Branstad Administration announced its secretive decision to close the Iowa Juvenile Home and outsource the services the Juvenile Home provides to some of Iowa's most troubled youth.
"We are shocked to hear the Governor's office has taken this course of action. Many groups have been working together to solve the issues at the Iowa Juvenile Home. Not only is this a sad day for the workers, but it is a sad day for the Iowa's troubled youth displaced because of the Governor's actions," said AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan.
"The troubled youth at the Juvenile Home deserved a truly open decision making process that sought a dialogue with all Iowans, including legislators. The students at the Juvenile Home deserved an honest and public discussion about how the students will receive assistance in the future. Governor Branstad's closed door decision making process failed to live up to these principles and the Governor's pledge for transparency in state government," added Homan.
Juvenile Home employees have and continue to be willing partners in addressing the failures of management policies at the Juvenile Home.
"Our members and our union will continue to advocate for troubled youth and for the state's responsibility to see them through their difficult times," said Homan.
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