An audit of the state’s management of the food stamp program finds — in some cases — a longer overlap in foster care and adoption assistance with food stamp benefits than is permitted by law. Someone who gets “Family Investment Program” or “food stamp” benefits is not to receive any other benefits from the Iowa Department of Human Services. However, there is a one-month transition period allowed for children who go into foster care or are being adopted. It allows the prospective parent or guardian to receive the child’s foster care payments or adoption assistance grants during that 30-day window.

A state audit reviewed over 380 cases and found 28 percent had improperly gotten both foster care and food stamp benefits for up to four months. About 13 percent got adoption assistance and food stamps for too long. Managers for the agency say the error rate may be due to a dramatic reduction in staff handling the cases. In 2009, there were 116 more employees working in the unit. Case loads increased from about 600 per worker in 2009 to 772 per worker in 2012.

The audit of the Department of Human Services also noted several paperwork errors in other programs, including a lack of appropriate documents in some files.

(Radio Iowa)

The Anita City Council, Wednesday, voted to enter into a law enforcement sharing agreement with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. The Council held a public hearing prior to voting 4-to nothing (with one council member absent), to secure coverage from the County.  A similar agreement was reached earlier this week, in Griswold.

A meeting will take place September 17th to finalize the agreement between the City of Anita and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. The move by Anita became necessary with the retirement of Police Chief John Larsen, whose last day is September 22nd.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet Friday morning at the Courthouse, in Greenfield. During their 9-a.m. meeting, the Board will canvass the votes from Tuesday’s School Board election. In other business, they’ll hear from County Auditor Mindy Schaefer, with regard to: The Fiscal Year 2013 State Tax Increment Financing Report; Credit Card Policy, and Abatement of Taxes.

At 9:30, County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present a DOT Resolution to add local TIF Projects to the current budget year, a FY 2014 Budget Amendment, and his regular activity and maintenance report.

The Board will also discuss and/or act on an EMS grant contract, a Child Abuse Prevention grant draw down, taxable meals, and other matters.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman from Pottawattamie County, this (Thursday) morning. 25-year old Angelina Marie Silveira, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 7:30-a.m. in Pott. County, on a warrant for Failure To Appear on a Driving Under Suspension charge related to Violation of Liability Coverage. Silveira was being held in the Mills County Jail on $800 bond.

A couple from Adams County was arrested Wednesday night for violating a court order. Sheriff’s officials say 65-year old Ronald Corey and 59-year old Barbara Corey, both of Corning, were taken into custody at around 9:10-p.m., after authorities responded to a call from Ronald Corey indicating he was at his wife’s residence. The court had issued a No Contact Order, barring contact between the couple.

Ronald Corey was arrested for Violating the No Contact Order, while Barbara Corey was arrested for Aiding and Abetting a No Contact Order. The couple was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail pending an appearance before a magistrate.

(9-a.m. News)