Supporting the Iowa HOME Project Initiative Helping Iowans with Developmental Diagnoses get the Supports and Services they need
My Journey Work Experience • Special Education Teacher
Leadership Styles and Lessons
• Direct Support Professional
• Strive to be a Transitional Leader
• Elementary and Early Childhood • SCL and Respite Services
• Daily SCL Leadership
• Supervisor and Coordinator
• Statewide Manager
• Host Home Program
• Democratic Leader
• Team oriented/driven • Shared decision making
• Collaborative Focus on Vision • Guidance and Empowerment
• What I’ve Learned
• Helpful vs Harmful • Permission to Fail
Overview of Project • Waiver Redesign for services in Iowa
• Currently 7 waivers based on diagnoses
• Elderly, Intellectual Disability, Brain Injury, Aids/HIV, Health and Disability, Physical Disability, Children’s Mental Health
• Moving to 2 (possibly 3) waivers based on age
• Iowa HOME Project
• Hope and Opportunities in Many Environments • Support more individuals with comprehensive approach to service options based on need rather than only on diagnoses criteria
• Individuals with Developmental Disabilities have opportunities for additional supports and services, including those with Autism Diagnoses
Starting with Why The Numbers • 53,243 adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Iowa • approx. 2.28% of population
• 65,000 children meet diagnostic criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder • 1 in every 110 children
My Reasons • Personal and professional impacts on supports and services for individuals with Autism Diagnoses • Lack and Loss of Services
• Growing as a Leader
• Becoming more comfortable with advocacy
Goals Research Create Participate
Research • Collect Data
• Number of Iowans affected
• HOME Project Updates
• Minutes, Emails and Informational Letters
• Impact Stories
• Meeting with impacted families
Create: Stakeholder Web
Create: Information Sheet
Create: Advocacy Tools
Impact Stories
Participate • Advocacy and Awareness Days
• Present during Advocacy and Awareness Days • Share developed resources with participants
• Speaking with Legislatures
• Connections with my personal legislatures • Providing resources for others to speak with their legislatures
• Partnering with Stakeholders
• Follow up with individuals and agencies
Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day
Photo Credit: Autism Society of Iowa
Lutheran Day on the Hill
Photo Credit: Lutheran Services in Iowa
Outcomes Expected Connections • Advocacy and Awareness Day Participants • Present and Provide Resources
• Personal Representatives
• Speaking with legislatures for district
Unexpected Connections • Iowa DD Council Connection
• Presented advocacy asks • Including created resources in larger reach outs by DD Council
• Targeted Connections
• HHS Committee Member • Representative heading Autism Bill regarding age and money caps
Lessons Learned • Addressing the Roadblocks
• Delays in implementation (HOME Project) • Shifting the focus while still sharing information and message
• Living in the Growth Zone
• Taking initiative to make connections and advocate • Applied to be a part of Medicaid Committee
• Leading by Example
• Creating Space and Opportunities for team members to advocate
Thank You “The value of a true leader is not measured by the work they do, but by the work they inspire others to do.” ~ Simon Sinek