251.1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter: "Division" or "state division" means the division of child and family services of the department of human services; "administrator" means the administrator of the division of child and family services of the department of human services.

251.2 Administration of emergency relief.

The state division, in addition to all other powers and duties given it by law, shall be charged with the supervision and administration of all funds coming into the hands of the state now or hereafter provided for emergency relief.

251.3 Powers and duties.

The administrator shall have the power to:

1. Appoint such personnel as may be necessary for the efficient discharge of the duties imposed upon the administrator in the administration of emergency relief, and to make such rules and regulations as the administrator deems necessary or advisable covering the administrator's activities and those of the county cluster boards created under section 217.43, concerning emergency relief.

2. Join and co-operate with the government of the United States, or any of its appropriate agencies or instrumentalities, in any proper relief activity.

3. Make such reports of budget estimates to the governor and to the general assembly as are required by law, or are necessary and proper to obtain appropriations of funds necessary for relief purposes and for all the purposes of this chapter.

4. Determine the need for funds in the various counties of the state basing such determination upon the amount of money needed in the various counties to provide adequate relief, and upon the counties' financial inability to provide such relief from county funds. The administrator may administer said funds belonging to the state within the various counties of the state to supplement local funds as needed.

5. Make such reports, obtain and furnish such information from time to time as may be required by the governor, by the general assembly, or by any other proper office or agency, state or federal, and make an annual report of its activities.

251.4 Grants from state funds to counties.

The state division may require as a condition of making available state assistance to counties for emergency relief purposes, that the county boards of supervisors shall establish budgets as needed in respect to the relief situation in the counties.

251.5 Duties of the county cluster board.

A county cluster board created in section 217.43 shall perform the following activities for any county in the board's county cluster concerning emergency relief:

1. Cooperate with a county's board of supervisors in all matters pertaining to administration of relief.

2. At the request of a county's board of supervisors, prepare requests for grants of state funds.

3. At the request of a county's board of supervisors, administer county relief funds.

4. In a county receiving grants of state funds upon approval of the director of revenue and finance and the county's board of supervisors, administer both state and county relief funds.

5. Perform other duties as may be prescribed by the administrator and a county's board of supervisors.

251.6 County supervisors to determine relief and work projects.

The county board of supervisors shall supervise administration of emergency relief, and shall determine the minimum amount of relief required for each person or family, which persons are employable, and whether and under what conditions persons receiving emergency relief may be employed by the county.

251.7 County appointees to act as executive officers.

The county board of supervisors may appoint an individual to serve as the executive officer of the county cluster board in all matters pertaining to relief for that county.