Iowa DHS director explains decision against helping migrant children
The Iowa Department of Human Services Director explained Tuesday why Iowa decided not to accept migrant children from the border.
During an interview Thursday with WHO Radio, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa did not have proper facilities for its own children and that the migrant children are “not our problem.”
Iowa DHS Director Kelly Garcia said she made the decision and advised Reynolds.
Garcia said she believes it would not be appropriate to place refugees in group settings with Iowa children who have behavioral health issues.
She also pointed out that Iowa does not have enough bilingual foster homes.
“These youth placed wouldn't be here a few moments,” she said. “It would be Iowa’s obligation to place them with forever families, and that's hard work.”
Garcia said it is her obligation as director of Iowa DHS to make sure the department focuses on Iowa's children, but the door could open to others as the state learns more about funding, support or translation services from the federal government.