Iowa Coalition for Integrated Employment
Partnerships in Employment Systems Change Grant
Abstract
The overall goal of this project is to improve systems so that Iowa’s youth with developmental disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, have fully integrated, competitive work, regardless of where they live in the state. This project includes a base Consortium of representatives from the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and the Iowa Department of Human Services. In addition, a Coalition of diverse stakeholders will be formed that represents all levels of services and interest to blend and refine efforts for systemic changes. Iowa’s Coalition for Integrated Employment will address the following: 1) establishing and engaging a Coalition to develop and implement a Readiness for Change Plan for systems change for integrated, competitive employment for youth with DD; 2) develop an outcome measurement system to measure employment success for consistent systems improvement; 3) increase ongoing delivery of preparation, placement and support services that begin in early high school and result in uninterrupted employment supports; 4) develop service providers who align their mission, services and resources to promote integrated, competitive employment for youth with DD; 4) increase expectation and demand for fully integrated, competitive employment opportunities; and 5) align policies, practices, and funding with employment expectations.
Organization
Iowa Department of Human Services
617 East 2nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-1931
Contact
Becky Harker, Executive Director
Phone: (515) 725-0431
Fax: (515) 725-0437
E-mail: bharker@dhs.state.ia.us
Grant Number
90DN0287
Award Amount
$358,000 per year
Project Period
9/30/11 – 9/29/16
Project Officer
Larissa R. Crossen
Phone: (202) 690-5999
E-mail: Larissa.crossen@acl.hhs.gov