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Thursday Schedule |
9:00AM |
Opening Keynote: Lisa Bluder, Jan Jensen
9:00AM
Opening Keynote: Lisa Bluder, Jan Jensen
In a moderated Q&A led by The Gazette's Zack Kucharski, Iowa Ideas attendees will hear from Bluder and Jensen on leadership, overcoming adversity, resiliency & balance, building trust, developing talent, building supports, blending talent to build a team, and the continuous improvement coaching that Coaches Bluder and Jensen have demonstrated for years at one of the highest levels.
Track: Keynote Sessions
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10:10AM |
A hit and a myth: The reality of nonprofits as a business.
10:10AM
A hit and a myth: The reality of nonprofits as a business.
Panelists:
kurt strand, Bonnie Valverde, Sean Ulmer, Katie Hallman
How do you profit from being a nonprofit? A look at how the operations and financial structure of an arts and culture nonprofit are evolving to meet current needs. How are nonprofit leaders building a business model that adheres to staffing, funding sources and strategic goals?
Track: Arts & Culture
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Home Rehabilitation initiatives
10:10AM
Home Rehabilitation initiatives
Panelists:
Chad Schreck, Terry Gearhart, Erika Kubly
This session will look at creative ways communities have worked to address the quality and condition of housing stock in their communities. This session will look at how communities solved funding issues with builders and homeowners and got homes updated. We’ll also look at communities that found ways to lessen the risk to homebuilders for working in communities eager to update homes.
Track: Economic Development
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Small College Health
10:10AM
Small College Health
Iowa Wesleyan’s closing at the end of May 2023 brought the challenges facing Iowa’s smaller colleges into plain sight. Four – including Wesleyan – asked the state to invest $48 million in ARPA funds to help the schools find financial footing. The stressors facing Iowa’s small colleges caught many by surprise. This discussion will look at what can or will need to happen to bring additional stability as well as the role the state or other funders should play in preserving campuses in Iowa’s smaller communities.
Track: Higher Education
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How and why Iowa’s residents can test their water to help monitor quality.
10:10AM
How and why Iowa’s residents can test their water to help monitor quality.
Panelists:
Zach Moss, Dale Braun, Mary Scopek, Heather Wilson
DIY Water Quality: How and why Iowa’s residents can test their water to help monitor quality. As water quality becomes a more partisan issue, what can Iowa residents (and non-residents) do to monitor the quality of the water in the state? Why is water testing important? And how can testing be used to improve the quality of our water in Iowa?
Track: Energy & Environment
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Creative Career Pathways
10:10AM
Creative Career Pathways
Panelists:
Anne Boesen, Katie Lyman
A discussion on health care careers through the lens of Iowa’s newest and longest-term health care staff and to what extent technology can help ease workforce pressures. Are enough students progressing through the different disciplines as proponents suggested? What can be done to draw in the internationally-trained workforce?
Track: Health Care
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Importance of Media Literacy
10:10AM
Importance of Media Literacy
Panelists:
Michelle Ciulla
Advances with the Internet, disinformation campaigns, one-sided political conversations, advances in deep fakes is making media literacy a crucial skill. But changes in the media landscape have brough major changes since people learned about its importance as children. This session will focus on the importance of media literacy for all citizens, as well as how you can improve yours.
Track: Policy
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Creating Political Barriers to those who need help
10:10AM
Creating Political Barriers to those who need help
Panelists:
Luke Elzinga, Keenan Crow
A look at how newly passed regulations can face challenges when practiced at the local level, using SNAP benefits and free lunch program as examples. How do restrictions impact those that take the step for assistance, but are turned down or faced with too many obstacles? How can barriers be addressed so those that need it most can benefit?
Track: Human & Social Services
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Tools for the unique needs of students
10:10AM
Tools for the unique needs of students
Panelists:
Jenny Schulz, Yen Veirhoven, Gina Weekly, Dan Devore
Tools for the unique needs of students As classroom culture evolves, what tools are available for educators to address the unique needs of students? How are generations of educators acknowledging and adjusting to changes in the classroom from when they were in school? Are social/emotional techniques working/effective?
Track: K12 Education
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11:15AM |
Shifts in giving
11:15AM
Shifts in giving
Panelists:
Leslie Wright, Lois Buntz, Jennifer Banta, Jenna Ramsey (Stanton Community)
Over the years, generational and corporate wealth have taken a dramatic turn, bringing to light the politics of fundraising. While change in giving across industries is certain, the assumption that arts and culture entities are safe is dangerous. Who leads giving in Iowa and how can individual, state and corporate advocates keep support of the arts top of mind?
Track: Arts & Culture
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Keeping Construction
11:15AM
Keeping Construction
Panelists:
Chad Pelley, Steve Emerson
Forward motion for development projects can be challenged with supply chain issues and construction costs. What are developers doing to create workarounds?
Track: Economic Development
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Meeting the needs of students
11:15AM
Meeting the needs of students
Whether its COVID learning loss or needing to work while going to school, colleges are facing a challenge balancing affordability with being able to afford effective student supports – both in and out of the classroom. How are faculty at Iowa’s colleges and universities adjusting and how are colleges forecasting to address student needs while still working to manage costs?
Track: Higher Education
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Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
11:15AM
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
Agriculture is responsible for more than 10 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., and Iowa is No. 2 for greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. In a country where half the states have no greenhouse gas reduction goals, what can be done to reduce emissions? Which states are focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and how are they working toward their goals? Is it possible to reduce emissions from agriculture without hurting farmers?
Track: Energy & Environment
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Cancer in Iowa
11:15AM
Cancer in Iowa
Panelists:
Dr. Richard Deming, Sarah Nash, Dr. Michael Henry
Iowa’s cancer rate was second only to Kentucky, with more than 20,000 new instances of cancer expected to be diagnosed in Iowans this year. Why is the rate so high and what can be done to bring numbers lower? This discussion will include a look at the rates across population segments, access to treatments as well as a look at clinical trials being done within Iowa.
Track: Health Care
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Public Land
11:15AM
Public Land
Iowa ranks 49th in terms of the amount of public land the state has. We’ll dive into the discussion about how much public land should the state should have and why it matters. While conservation groups say it could increase wildlife and opportunities for public enjoyment, others say those acquisitions could take valuable land out of production.
Track: Policy
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Teens in mental health crisis
11:15AM
Teens in mental health crisis
Panelists:
Kim Scorza, Dr. Richard Whitaker
This session will look at the continuous climb in the number of teens needing access to mental health resources and the challenges in accommodating this demographic. As Iowa’s mental health facilities continue to be limited in space and funding, what creative partnerships and solutions can be explored? How can clients and families have the resources they need during crisis and after?
Track: Human & Social Services
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Opportunities and challenges for students of color
11:15AM
Opportunities and challenges for students of color
Panelists:
Barb Hanson, Sarah Swayze
Though the diversity of Iowa’s schools continues to increase, finding teachers and support staff of color remains a challenge for school districts. We’ll look at how districts are trying to address the diversity of its teaching and education staff, while also working to address the way it serves students of color during and around the school day.
Track: K12 Education
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12:20PM |
Break
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1:20PM |
Bridging the engagement gap.
1:20PM
Bridging the engagement gap.
Panelists:
Tim Hankewich, Keegan Colleta Hockfeldt
Exposure to the arts may run plentiful for young children and older adults, but what about time in between? This session will explore ways to strengthen a young person’s journey in the arts cycle, with a special focus on opportunities after college that could engage a life-long artist, administrator, or patron
Track: Arts & Culture
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The Undermaintained Building
1:20PM
The Undermaintained Building
TBD
Track: Economic Development
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Encouraging & Availability of learning at any age
1:20PM
Encouraging & Availability of learning at any age
Panelists:
Paul Sapp, Amy Lasack, Rob Denson
For those remaining in the job market, tech evolutions and global competition is pushing the need for lifelong learning. How well is Iowa supporting lifelong learning and upskilling and what needs to be done about providing opportunities for folks to return to school for certificates or other credentials later in life?
Track: Higher Education
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Planning for the Grid of the Future
1:20PM
Planning for the Grid of the Future
Panelists:
Anne Kimber, Robert Walter, Tony Hunziker, Ian Dobson
Will the energy grids of tomorrow include adequate support for renewable energy? How can we ensure that wind, solar and hydrogen will be sustainable and reliable?
Track: Energy & Environment
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Mental Health
1:20PM
Mental Health
How should Iowa’s mental health system be reimagined to solve access, fragmented care and high out of pocket costs and create a system that operates more seamlessly? What are the main barriers that are impacting the adult system, and what needs to be done to help scale up a system focused on children?
Track: Health Care
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DEI - Intersection: Creative Ways to address food scarcity
1:20PM
DEI - Intersection: Creative Ways to address food scarcity
Creative ways to address food scarcity. The number of people seeking help from foodbanks has continued to increase. While there have been grants for facilities, can Iowa do more to help their peers experiencing food scarcity. We’ll look at what’s being done in Iowa as well as whether there are additional programs that could be implemented or expanded that have worked other places.
Track: Policy
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Computer science in a required state
1:20PM
Computer science in a required state
Panelists:
Ryan Marzen, Dr. Ben Schaefer
How are districts developing opportunities for students to access computer science? As part of a state requirements, what can classrooms and educators do to encourage and ensure equal access? What additional funding comes with the new computer requirements?
Track: K12 Education
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2:25PM |
Support for diverse artists.
2:25PM
Support for diverse artists.
Panelists:
Antonio Chalmers (aka DJ Antonio "Tone Da Boss" Chalmers), Heather Wagner, Caleb Rainey
What do individuals from diverse backgrounds need to reach their full artistic potential? How have successful artists overcome obstacles when conditions for support are challenged? In addition to diversity, equity and inclusion, how are local arts communities fostering a sense of belonging for everyone who wants to participate?
Track: Arts & Culture
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Answering a neighborhood’s needs
2:25PM
Answering a neighborhood’s needs
What happens when community hubs localize their services, focusing on where people live? How can community hubs such as neighborhood centers serve as a central source for childcare, housing and more? This session will discuss how Iowa communities are using this approach, which can build trust, retention and engagement.
Track: Community
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Coming together for the greater economic good
2:25PM
Coming together for the greater economic good
Panelists:
Bethany Snyder, Emily Schmitt, Kaitlin Byers, Dave Herrell (Visit Quad Cities)
Some Iowa communities have banded together to find ways to raise wages of childcare workers, or solve other access or equality issues at a community level. We’ll look at how communities have built momentum and plans to tackle the challenges or economic strategies at a community or regional level.
Track: Economic Development
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Weighing the Investment of a College Degree
2:25PM
Weighing the Investment of a College Degree
While there’s been much energy put around creation of apprenticeships, it’s also framed much of the conversation with ‘or’ in front of college. This session will explore the connection between college and career and what may need to be done to balance the need to work while learning.
Track: Higher Education
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Protecting ourselves from Forever Chemicals
2:25PM
Protecting ourselves from Forever Chemicals
Panelists:
Andrew Kida, Joe Charbonnet, David Cwiertney, Corey McCoid
Session 5 2:25 - 3:25 PM Protecting ourselves from forever chemicals M- Erin J PFAS – substances known as “forever chemicals” -- are so prevalent, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say most Americans have been exposed to them. What can we do – if anything -- to protect ourselves from them? Will the EPA’s new PFAS drinking water standards do anything to help?
Track: Energy & Environment
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Leadership Roundtable
2:25PM
Leadership Roundtable
Panelists:
Michelle Niermann (UnityPoint- St. Lukes), Brent Willett (Iowa Health Care Association)
This session will feature a panel of Iowa’s health care leaders to talk about major health issues, including systems, facilities and patient care. Topics will include current trends and issues in the state’s hospitals, nursing homes and care facilities and what’s being done to address the challenges.
Track: Health Care
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Navigating Iowa's Culture Wars
2:25PM
Navigating Iowa's Culture Wars
Just like many other states, Iowa has been thrust in cultural fights about gender, books, the extent of which parents or educators should drive decision-making in schools and more. What impact is this having on policy-making bodies, and how can the public at large navigate these divisive fights. We’ll explore how issue-framing and other strategies can reduce the intensity of these fights.
Track: Policy
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Life after incarceration
2:25PM
Life after incarceration
Panelists:
Michelle Heinz, Peggy Huppert
How are restorative programs working for people currently serving in and upon leaving prison? This session will look at how areas of need for an individual are identified and if the programs in place are truly setting people up for long-term success. Who are the key partners in tracking what’s working and ways to strengthen the need for these individuals to truly thrive?
Track: Human & Social Services
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Reimagining the school day
2:25PM
Reimagining the school day
Some Iowa school districts are experimenting with four-day school weeks as ways to help students and teachers in the districts. We’ll look at how Iowa schools are rethinking the school day as well as thoughts about how the changes are impacting student learning.
Track: K12 Education
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3:30PM |
Keynote: Frances Haugen
3:30PM
Keynote: Frances Haugen
Track: Keynote Sessions
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4:35PM |
Speed Networking
4:35PM
Speed Networking
Speed Networking
Track: Keynote Sessions
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Friday Schedule |
8:30AM |
Next steps for 3D printed homes
8:30AM
Next steps for 3D printed homes
Panelists:
Ron Monaham, Zach Manheimer, Abbie Gaffey
Next steps for 3D printed homes. Iowa built its first 3D printed homes in Muscatine and Iowa City this summer, with developers keenly interested in this as an option for rural communities. What was learned this summer and how did these partnerships come together? We’ll look at the construction, the development of training courses to build a workforce and what was learned during construction.
Track: Economic Development
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Balancing Intellectual diversity and polarization
8:30AM
Balancing Intellectual diversity and polarization
Navigating the seas of political polarization and culture war issues pose unique challenges for universities. What are the risks culture wars pose to Iowa’s colleges and universities and what impact could that have if students align with like-minded colleges or avoid states where majority party politics differ from their own?
Track: Higher Education
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Making progress on conservation practices
8:30AM
Making progress on conservation practices
Panelists:
Mitch Hora, Ruth Rabinowitz, Silvia Secchi (University of Iowa)
Research has shown that practices like wetlands, cover crops, prairies and buffer strips can improve water quality and prevent erosion. Where does Iowa stand in implementation of these practices? And what will it take to make their use more widespread?
Track: Energy & Environment
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Preventative care
8:30AM
Preventative care
Panelists:
Jared Kast, Dr. Dustin Arnold
This session will look at the shift to focus on preventative health care measures. Have the measures helped return to pre-COVID numbers, or has the pandemic shifted the trajectory? While cost of care are always identified as a challenge, what’s being done to shift mindset to focus on taking steps and changing patient behaviors to focus on things before they’re in response to a medical condition.
Track: Health Care
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School Safety
8:30AM
School Safety
The frequency of shootings in and near schools has increased, while the response to the shootings have come under greater scrutiny since Uvalde, Texas. Iowa invested in safety studies, but are those adequate to address concerns? Some school districts have allowed faculty to carry guns in schools.
Track: Policy
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Housing for all
8:30AM
Housing for all
Panelists:
Carrie Woerdeman, Denise Fuller
The process and challenges when it comes to renting, buying, and maintaining a home. What resources are available for people at various stages of risk? How can assistance be more accessible-before the step of eviction or foreclosure?
Track: Human & Social Services
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Long Term Strategies in Workforce/Recruitment
8:30AM
Long Term Strategies in Workforce/Recruitment
What techniques show promise? Explore career pathways such as Grow Your Own program, student incentives upon graduation, apprenticeships and teacher training opportunities. Examples identified include Grow Your Own program, Iowa City.
Track: K12 Education
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9:40AM |
The role of art in successful communities.
9:40AM
The role of art in successful communities.
Panelists:
Zack Jones, Nick Ludwig or Molly Monk, Ellen Hampe Alexander, Teva Dawson
Public art is often a key ingredient when identifying and promoting the unique elements of a strong community. How does art address the origin of a community story? This session will look at artistic collaborations among neighborhoods and explore how communities include representatives of the arts when it comes to strategic planning and promotion of their cities.
Track: Arts & Culture
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Beyond writing a check
9:40AM
Beyond writing a check
Panelists:
Joy Briscoe (Waterloo School District)
We will assess the response to DEI initiatives and barriers they’ve faced. What’s going wrong and what’s going right when it comes to intent vs. Action from civic leaders, employers and the public? How can quick reaction without long term strategy negatively impact even the best intentions?
Track: Community
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Customized employment
9:40AM
Customized employment
Panelists:
Connie Parrish, Theresa Lewis (The Arc of East Central Iowa)
A session on Iowans who advocate individualized employment for people with disabilities, and how this unique approach is addressing Iowa’s continuous workforce challenges.
Track: Economic Development
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Reimagining the delivery of higher education in Iowa
9:40AM
Reimagining the delivery of higher education in Iowa
Iowa’s colleges and universities have been working feverishly to create reciprocal agreements, accept transfer credits or get their degrees faster. But could Iowa colleges and universities go further – like dual enrollment or taking classes for credit across all schools simultaneously? How can Iowa leverage online, experiential and online learning and what will this mean for how students in Iowa go to college?
Track: Higher Education
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Trucks, trains, and pipelines: Transporting hazardous materials
9:40AM
Trucks, trains, and pipelines: Transporting hazardous materials
Panelists:
Steve Guyer, Bill Caram
Following the derailment of a train in Ohio that was carrying hazardous waste, and the rupture of a CO2 pipeline in Mississippi, we ask what is the safest way to transport hazardous materials? Are CO2 pipelines safer than semi trucks? Are trains safer than pipelines? How can we best transport these materials? Will there always be risk?
Track: Energy & Environment
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Rural Health Care in Iowa
9:40AM
Rural Health Care in Iowa
How will rural Iowans access health care close to home in 20 years? This session will look at the new emergency rural hospital designation and other steps that are being put into place in Iowa’s rural health system. The session will look at what steps may also be needed, as well as how folks can tell whether the programs are working.
Track: Health Care
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The Cost of Living Crisis in Iowa
9:40AM
The Cost of Living Crisis in Iowa
Panelists:
Alejandro Pino, Michelle Book
Sharp increases in services and basic staples has added pressure to Iowa’s lower and middle class families. Are Iowans keeping up with rising prices for every day items such as food, housing and health care? We’ll look at pressure points and what can be done to address these concerns.
Track: Policy
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DEI - Intersection: Social needs and partnerships between schools and non-profits
9:40AM
DEI - Intersection: Social needs and partnerships between schools and non-profits
Panelists:
Maggie Hartzler (Tanager Place)
The ability to reach students and their families about available resources while gathered consistently at school. Who leads these partnerships? What communication or practice of information distribution is most effective? How can nonprofits build trust among the students, faculty, and staff?
Track: Human & Social Services
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10:45AM |
The dynamics of an arts and culture board
10:45AM
The dynamics of an arts and culture board
Panelists:
LaNisha Cassell, Sarah Blais , Angie Dethlefs-Trettin, Angelica Vannatta
Who has historically led arts advocacy at a board level? What does it look like today? Are we meeting the needs of the organizations who rely on board members to help achieve their strategic goals?
Track: Arts & Culture
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Strain within immigrant and refugee families
10:45AM
Strain within immigrant and refugee families
Panelists:
Dr. Stacey Cole, Mike Mbanza , Elizabeth Buch, Henny Ohr, Mugisha Gloire (United We Forward)
The transition to a new country and a new community can present myriad hardships, but what about the challenges in family dynamics? What do roles and traditions look like, and how do those contrast with life in Iowa? How does transition – of transportation, housing, education and employment -- affect the family? And how are these complicated by language barriers? What can be done to support families?
Track: Community
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The Solar neighbor
10:45AM
The Solar neighbor
Panelists:
Charlie Nichols, Terry Dvorak, Justin Foss
Proposals to build larger solar arrays have run into significant and costly challenges in Iowa (and many other places). Does it always have to be that way? We’ll look at whether residents and businesses have been able to work together in planning processes to advance projects or define community benefits in less-heated ways.
Track: Economic Development
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Test Optional College Admissions
10:45AM
Test Optional College Admissions
The test-optional admission practice took off, with the majority of colleges admitting students based on class grades instead of things like the ACT. What has that meant for Iowa’s higher education institutions and will the tests remain optional? This topic will look at how college student bodies have changed, and whether the changes – some made out of necessity in COVID – will be permanent.
Track: Higher Education
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Environmental Justice in Iowa
10:45AM
Environmental Justice in Iowa
Marginalized groups often face unique challenges and roadblocks when it comes to accessing clean air, water and resources that help them live sustainably. How can we draft environmental laws and policies that ensure everyone is being served and protected equally? What kind of assistance is available and how could it be improved?
Track: Energy & Environment
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The Needs of Aging Iowans
10:45AM
The Needs of Aging Iowans
Panelists:
Shelly Sindt, Paige Yontz, Angela Van Pelt
Aging in place is something many older Iowans want to do. Are the supports necessary to help Iowans do it in place? This session will look at ideas being tried to help address concerns as well as what can be done in scalable ways in Iowa.
Track: Health Care
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Intersection: Implementation of School Choice in Iowa
10:45AM
Intersection: Implementation of School Choice in Iowa
The number of families applying for state-funded ESA accounts exceeded preliminary estimates. What does this mean, and what will happen as the state continues to implement school choice.
Track: Policy
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Homelessness and wrap around services
10:45AM
Homelessness and wrap around services
A client and resource perspective on need analysis/intake experience, and when wrap around services are considered. Are service based organizations consistently considering multiple needs when encountering a client? What are the challenges when collaboration for services is the best course of action?
Track: Human & Social Services
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Intersection: Implementation of School Choice in Iowa
10:45AM
Intersection: Implementation of School Choice in Iowa
The number of families applying for state-funded ESA accounts exceeded preliminary estimates. What does this mean, and what will happen as the state continues to implement school choice.
Track: K12 Education
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12:00PM |
Closing Keynote
12:00PM
Closing Keynote
Track: Keynote Sessions
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