(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- A new Iowa report shows a surge in citizen complaints about state and local government agencies in 2020.
The complaints were especially widespread during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many offices took drastic safety measures.
The report's most alarming conclusion was that excessive workloads in the state's child-welfare system led to the death two teenage girls who starved to death.
Two major investigations determined the heavy workloads resulted in employee lapses by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) in the oversight of homes where the girls lived.
Summaries of the investigations, which resulted in 27 recommendations to improve Iowa’s child-welfare system, are included in the report.
The report also revealed public frustration over issue such as slow decisions on unemployment claims, the closure of public buildings, and even the stoppage of garbage service.
The report was complied by Iowa State Ombudsman Kristie Hirschman
“As a society, we often fail to recognize the critical nature of many government services until something goes tragically wrong,” Hirschman said. “Once again, I urge Iowa’s city councils, county supervisors, and state agency directors to be proactive and to take ownership of their responsibilities. Do what is necessary to ensure that the vulnerable people who depend on your services can count on you.”
Read the full report here.