Garcia confirmed unanimously as DHS director

Kelly Garcia, appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds as director of the embattled Iowa Department of Human Services, was unanimously confirmed by the Iowa Senate Wednesday.

“Ms. Garcia has been in the news recently. DHS has been in the news recently,” said Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Robins. “She arrived at a very critical time. She was open, informative and proactive.”

DHS is under state and federal investigation for alleged abuses of residents at Glenwood Resource Center, which serves people with severe disabilities.

Garcia, who took over at DHS Nov. 1 after the controversial departure of her predecessor, Jerry Foxhoven, previously was deputy executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The Senate also unanimously confirmed Jeff Plagge as superintendent of banking.