Iowa Community Integration Strategic Plan: Building the Community 2020
“The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is re-evaluating existing strategies and identifying new ones to enhance our commitment to ensuring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to the least restrictive setting to support high quality of life. The Department will work in partnership with the Iowa Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), residents, guardians, community providers and other stakeholders.
The goal of this effort is to take a thoughtful approach to the community integration process, to include all key stakeholders including families and guardians—in the discussion to ensure we are able to assure meaningful options and choice to individuals and their families.
Iowa has a thoughtful Olmstead Plan that identifies outcome goals and objectives to serving individuals with disabilities in the community. This work plan is intended to augment the Olmstead Plan, focusing specifically on persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are currently served by a State Resource Center (SRC) or who could seek admission to a State Resource Center.”
Iowa AIDD Partnerships in Employment Systems Change Grant
The Iowa Coalition for Integrated Employment’s consortium includes representatives from various government and advocacy agencies and organizations. The objections of the coalition are: “Develop a Readiness for Change Plan for systems change related to integrated, competitive employment for youth with DD; develop an outcome measurement system to measure employment success; increase the placement and support services early in high school that result in uninterrupted transition to employment; develop the capacity of service providers to promote integrated competitive employment for youth with DD; increase expectations and demands for fully integrated, competitive employment opportunities for youth with DD; and align policies, practices, and funding with employment expectations.”
“The Iowa Coalition for Integrated Employment’s consortium includes representatives from the Iowa DD Council, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa VR and the Department of Human Services. The partners have a history of routinely working together on employment and transition issues and projects for youth with disabilities. Other partners include representatives from Iowa APSE, individuals with developmental disabilities and family members.”
“The Ticket to Work (TTW) program is a federal program for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on a disability and would like to work. It is designed to provide help and support for those beneficiaries who desire to regain financial independence through employment. The program is free; it is voluntary and offers work incentives that allow benefits to continue during the transition to employment. IVRS partners with other Employment Networks (ENs) to ensure our job candidates receive ongoing services once on the job.”
Iowa Disability Services System (DSS) Employment Supports
“The State of Iowa’s vision of employment for all is “Employment in the general workforce is the first priority and the expected and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all working age Iowans with disabilities.” (Governor’s Office, 2012). By “employment” we mean regular or customized employment in the general workforce, where employees with disabilities are earning at least minimum or prevailing wages and benefits, and work alongside people with and without disabilities.”
“The Transition Alliance Program (TAP) is a partnership between Community School Districts and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS). Participants of TAP receive assistance in the areas of vocational training, independent living, and post-secondary education. Our goal is for young adults to develop positive work skills in order to obtain and maintain community employment. TAP participants will receive follow-up services to assure long-term job success!”
“The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), with members appointed by the Governor, has been in operation since January 1993, providing advice and direction to the Department of Education's Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) on the quality and effectiveness of programs and services. The SRC, which is comprised of a majority of individuals with disabilities, is a vital link to the constituency groups which IVRS serves or through which it procures its goods and services. The Council's goal is to seek and improve the quality of employment outcomes and community participation. The SRC is mandated by the Rehabilitation Act to have at least 15 voting members.”
~~“The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reinforces increased coordination between state systems and partner organizations. It is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match businesses with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. IVRS plays a critical role. We focus on service delivery efforts for individuals with the most significant barriers to employment and this is accomplished through the alignment of service delivery efforts with our partners. Through these efforts, we work together to provide a Future Ready Iowa Workforce that meets the needs of our job candidates and our business partners.”
The state clarified how employers can access tax credits for workplace accommodations: “ A taxpayer who is a small business that purchases, rents, or modifies an assistive device or makes workplace modifications for an individual with a disability is eligible for this credit. The credit is limited to 50% of the first $5,000 paid for the assistive device or workplace modification. The Iowa Economic Development Authority certifies those eligible for the credit and issues tax credit certificates for eligible claimants. This is a refundable credit.
This credit was repealed effective on July 1, 2009, for individual income tax, but is still available for corporation income tax.
422.11E & 422.33(9)”
Iowa Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center
“Overview
The Iowa Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center (IBEIC) is an intensive Vocational Rehabilitation training program for adults who are blind or low vision. Located in Des Moines, the Center provides in-depth, comprehensive blindness training for students to live and work independently.
Contact Karly Prinds with any questions!
Purpose
The Center provides unique non-visual skill training for blind adults. Our philosophy is based on the idea that with the proper training and perception of blindness, all blind individuals can live an independent and fulfilling life.”
