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Webster County board approves letter asking Iowa HHS to let Lifeworks serve five clients at some 24‑hour sites
Summary
Board authorized the chair to sign a letter supporting Lifeworks’ request to Iowa HHS to allow some 24‑hour residential sites to serve five people instead of four; Lifeworks said the change would help address workforce shortages without increasing staff-to-client ratios.
The Webster County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 7 to authorize the chair to sign a letter to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services supporting Lifeworks Community Services’ request to serve up to five residents at certain 24‑hour sites in the county.
"Lifeworks community services serves over 150 people in both Webster and Humboldt counties and we're having some workforce issues yet," said Teresa Naughton, executive director of Lifeworks (Speaker 11). She told the board the organization operates eight 24‑hour sites in Webster County that currently serve four people each and said federal rules allow five people in one location if the proper permissions are granted.
Supervisor (Speaker 2) asked whether the change would affect the level of supervision or staffing. Naughton replied: "Correct. We wouldn't be changing staff, when it comes to the level of supervision." She described a model using float staff and supervisors overseeing multiple homes and said the change could help fill open float positions and maintain services to current clients.
Chair moved and the board approved the request; the chair said he would sign the letter. The action is limited to a letter of support to HHS seeking permission for the service‑model change and does not itself alter licensing or operational rules.
Next steps: The county will transmit the signed letter to Iowa HHS; Lifeworks will pursue HHS approval for the requested service‑model change.
