Mental Health and Disabilities System Redesign

Director Palmer has been traveling throughout Iowa the past few weeks to visit with families, advocates and consumers to listen to their concerns, ideas and stories. The goal of these meetings is to ensure that the redesigned Mental Health and Disabilities system is one that is consumer and family-driven and will better serve the people of Iowa.

To date, he has attended three meetings and will be participating in a third meeting today. There were nearly 120 people who attended the meeting in Cedar Rapids, 80 in Coralville and 150 who attended in Waterloo. We anticipate a very large turn-out for today’s meeting in Sioux City.

Many of you have asked what type of feedback we have received. In response, below is an overview of the six themes that have emerged from the first three meetings. After all the advocacy meetings have occurred, we will submit a more detailed report to all of the workgroups.

Advocate and Consumer Recommendations

The Department of Human Services has made a concerted effort to include families, advocates and consumers in the Mental Health Redesign Process. We believe that the consumers and advocates are at the core of this process, and after attending three public meetings six themes have emerged among the many pertinent comments and suggestions.

Need for Jail Diversion Programs:  Concerns about clients with disabilities ending up in jail due to symptoms and behaviors related to their mental health or disability have been heard. It further has been expressed that jail or the correctional institutions are not the appropriate setting for these individuals to receive the support needed. Crisis stabilization services will also be essential.
 
Individualized Treatment:  It is recognized that clients have unique and individualized needs. It has been requested that services broadly meet individual needs rather than a set of services being prescribed or made available due to a diagnosis.

Peer Support Services:  There is a growing recognition of value of peer support. It has been expressed that peer support be included in core services particularly around crisis intervention and treatment support.

Housing/Workforce:  Vulnerable groups lack safe, affordable housing and viable employment. This negatively impacts treatment efforts and progress. It has been recommended to provide housing and employment options for all groups.

Adequately Funding Services:  Funding is a critical issue and one that is shared by all. The legislature will make final appropriations; however, your advocacy helps in setting priorities. 

Transition:  Attention has been brought to assure consideration of what would happen to individuals when transitioning from a County System to a Regional System.

 To find out more information or give your feedback visit the website for the Mental Health and Disability System Redesign.

Become a Better Advocate

ID Action and Iowa’s Developmental Disabilities council want to help you become a better advocate.  Instead of just sitting up and taking notice, we want you to stand up and take action. 

That is why we have created infoNET- to give you the information, tools, resources and opportunities you need to take action.  Actions speak louder than words!

Take Action on Legislative Issues Affecting People with Disabilities

Easter Seals assists members of Congress and their staff, White House and federal agency officials, and representatives of other national interests -- as well as citizens like you -- to understand and act in support of policies and programs that help people with disabilities to live with equality, dignity and independence.

Easter Seals' legislative efforts focus on health care, early intervention, child care, education, employment, housing, supports for older Americans, recreation, assistive technology, transportation, and nonprofit organization operations.

Thank you to those who helped support Iowa farmers and advocated for Rural Solutions funding in the State's fiscal 2011 budget. This unique program has helped over 1,650 Iowans in 99 counties so that farmers and farm families can stay in their communities and on their farms#  The legislative leadership in the Iowa House and Senate must hear from you how important Rural Solutions is to empowering individuals with disabilities.