217.42 - SERVICE AREAS -- OFFICES.
217.42 SERVICE AREAS -- OFFICES.
1. The organizational structure to deliver the department's field
services shall be based upon service areas. The service areas shall
serve as a basis for providing field services to persons residing in
the counties comprising the service area. The service areas shall be
those designated by the department effective January 1, 2002. In
determining the service areas, the department shall consider other
geographic service areas including but not limited to judicial
districts and community empowerment areas. The department shall
consult with the county boards of supervisors in a service area with
respect to the selection of the service area manager responsible for
the service area who is initially selected for the service area
designated effective January 1, 2002, and any service area manager
selected for the service area thereafter. Following establishment of
the service areas effective January 1, 2002, if a county seeks to
change the boundaries of a service area, the change shall only take
place if the change is mutually agreeable to the department and all
affected counties. If it is necessary for the department to
significantly modify its field operations or the composition of a
designated service area, or if it is necessary for the department to
change the number of offices operating less than full-time, the
department shall consult with the affected counties prior to
implementing such action.
2. The department shall maintain an office in each county. Based
on the annual appropriations for field operations, the department
shall strive to maintain a full-time presence in each county. If it
is not possible to maintain a full-time presence in each county, the
department shall provide staff based on its caseweight system to
assure the provision of services. The department shall consult with
the county boards of supervisors of those counties regarding staffing
prior to any modification of office hours.
3. A county or group of counties may voluntarily enter into a
chapter 28E agreement with the department to provide funding or staff
persons to deliver field services in county offices. The agreement
shall cover the full fiscal year but may be revised by mutual
consent. Section History: Recent Form
92 Acts, ch 1079, § 1; 2001 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 4, §1, 9