< All Tracks
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SESSION 1
Building the new structure for behavioral health care
In early 2024, the Iowa legislature passed a bill to unify mental health and substance abuse treatment programs in the state by disbanding and redefining service areas for behavioral health care. This session will review the new system, in comparison to previous attempts at restructuring, as well as the possible benefits, challenges, and impact.
Held on October 10, 2024 at 9:35AM
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SESSION 3
Innovating when restricted by policy
As policies shift or government programs expire, some nonprofits must scramble to find ways to continue to provide the offerings that are critical to their clients. What happens when the government pulls back on high-demand social services, and nonprofits are forced to pick up the slack? How far can nonprofits flex and still be sustainable?
Held on October 10, 2024 at 11:45AM
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SESSION 5
Bolstering Iowa's maternal health system
Iowa's maternal death rate and infant mortality rate have spiked as birthing units have closed in recent years. A 2023 report from the March of Dimes found a third of Iowa's counties are "maternity care deserts." This session will explore how state policies have and have not worked to improve outcomes for moms and babies, and what's missing in efforts to bolster Iowa's maternal health system.
Held on October 10, 2024 at 3:00PM
Policy Articles
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Ensuring there is sufficient public land in the state for Iowans to hunt, fish and enjoy recreational activities is critical to maintaining and growing the state’s population, stakeholders say. Recreation and conservation stakeholders discussed the availability and maintenance of public hands during a session at The Gazette’s Iowa Ideas conferen...
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While lower than in many states, the cost of living in Iowa still can be higher than the median income earned in counties around the state — which presents significant challenges for those families. Nearly 114,000 Iowa families with one full-time worker in the home could not meet the most basic family budget needs without public supports, beyond...
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There were swift and loud demands for change to laws and practices across Iowa in the wake of George Floyd's death. How much progress has been made and what will it take to accomplish even more lasting change? Panelists include: Stacey Walker, Linn County Supervisor; Bruce Teague, Mayor, City of Iowa City; Betty Andrews, President of Iowa-Nebras...
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The COVID-19 pandemic created instantaneous disruption and market changes for food producers and suppliers. From massive plant shutdowns, to major market disruption, the food industry changed quickly. What can be done to make the food system -- which Iowa has a major role in -- into more of a responsive system able to support individual consumer...
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Presentation of Iowa's COVID-19 data has undergone several changes since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Iowa in March. What happens when these changes and corrections challenge public confidence in the data? Panelists include: Sara Willette, Iowa COVID-19 Tracker; Dana Jones, Nurse Practitioner, University of Iowa; Dr. Kelly Baker, Assistant Pro...
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While significant transgender rights were secured in a court battle, the challenges against LGBTQ rights continue in Iowa in the most recent legislative session when more than a dozen bills seeking to undermine LGBTQ rights were introduced, with bills seeking to require schools to seek parent authorization to present materials on gender and sexu...
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Whether it's felon voting rights, disproportionate incarceration of persons of color, comprehensive criminal justice reform has been a challenge for local and state leaders in Iowa. What needs to be done to make serious progress on criminal justice reform in Iowa? Panelists include: Dr. Beth Skinner, Director of Iowa Department of Corrections, D...
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Newsrooms in Iowa and across the country face unprecedented challenges as business models meet global pandemics, social unrest and a large political chasm. A group of Iowa media leaders will discuss what this means for Iowans, public access to information and more. Panelists include: Adam Carros, News Director for KCRG-TV9, Carol Hunter, Executi...
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds joins The Gazette Executive Editor Zack Kucharski to discuss the state's ongoing COVID-19 response, the state's economy, racial justice and other topics.
This Q&A was part of the 2020 Iowa Ideas Conference presented by ITC and held Oct. 15-16, 2020. This session originally occurred at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2020. ...
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CEDAR RAPIDS - Technology has made it so the plight of Black Americans no longer can be ignored. 'It is certainly a time where the cellphone is really one of the greatest civil rights tools there is,” said Betty Andrews, president of the Iowa-Nebraska chapters of the NAACP. 'The fact that we now - through video - can put some footage in front of...
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