Iowa Code Title VI. Human Services [Chs. 216-255A] § 237.16. Child advocacy board--staff

1. The child advocacy board is created within the department. The state board consists of nine members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate and directly responsible to the governor. One member shall be an active court appointed special advocate volunteer, one member shall be an active member of a local citizen foster care review board, and one member shall be a judicial branch employee or judicial officer appointed from nominees submitted by the judicial branch. The appointment is for a term of four years that begins and ends as provided in section 69.19. Vacancies on the state board shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments are made.

2. The members of the state board shall annually select a chairperson, vice chairperson, and other officers the members deem necessary. The members may be entitled to receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, subject to available funding. Each member of the board may also be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6. The state board shall meet at least twice a year.

3. An employee of the department, an employee of a child-placing agency, an employee of an agency with which the department contracts for services for children under foster care, a foster parent providing foster care, or an employee of the district court is not eligible to serve on the state board. However, the judicial branch employee or judicial officer appointed from nominees submitted by the judicial branch in accordance with subsection 1 shall be eligible to serve on the state board.

4. The department shall develop written protocols detailing the responsibilities of the department with regard to children under the purview of the state board. The protocols shall be reviewed by the department on an annual basis.

5. The director shall employ appropriate staff for the state board in accordance with available funding.