The 1977 - 78 biennium was a time of changes, experiments, and
advancements for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Major
revisions were made in the Iowa Civil Rights Act as were many
changes made in the agency itself. A new executive director came
to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission at the beginning of fiscal
year 1977 and fiscal year 1978 saw a large reorganization in the
agency. A protection and advocacy program for the
developmentally disabled was implemented by the Commission while
a new statewide organization combining personal and group
resources into a unique network emerged from an Iowa Civil
Rights Leadership Conference. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission
turned to a study of rental practices across the state while
VISTA volunteers from across the nation came to the Commission
as a result of an experimental program. In order to provide
incoming staff with greater expertise and sensitivity in the
area of civil rights, an increased emphasis was placed on the
classroom portion of training. Although the num