Olmstead -- Real Choices for Iowa
Your "Olmstead in Iowa" Headquarters

Accomplishments: Employment

Iowa 2007

Employment of people with disabilities
Employment barriers
School to work transition

1. Employment of people with disabilities
   • Increased funding for Vocational Rehabilitation by $385,235 to help maximize federal funding available (total $5,419,890).
   • Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Disability Program Navigators are located throughout the state and have demonstrated capacity to deliver information to persons with disabilities throughout the Iowa, since their conception in 2003 as part of the One Stop Workforce System.
   • Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has worked to improve the employment outcomes for persons with chronic and persistent mental illness by implementing a psychiatric rehabilitation model which increases community supports for consumers while involved in services. 
2. Employment barriers
   • The Employer Disability Resource Network, a collaboration of state, federal and private partner agencies, worked to develop and mobilize resources, supports, and services, adding value to Iowa businesses hiring persons with disabilities.
   • Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has developed and deployed resources and tools that are being used by local office placement teams to demonstrate effective employer development strategies.  These resources include: Marketing Tool Kit, Employer Database and Employer Satisfaction Survey.  Outcomes include approximately 300 employers in the database, increased knowledge of employer needs and the development of local relationships with businesses.
   • Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has initiated provision of no-cost disability-related consultation services to business and industry.  Featured services are: ADA, diversity, employment and personnel policies, accessibility and staff retention.
3. School to work transition
   • Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has granted funds to 2 AEA’s to impact classroom curriculum which better prepares students for the global workforce and increases their connection to business and industry.
   • From October 2003 through September 2007, Improving Transitions Outcomes, a department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy grant project conducted resource mapping at the state and local levels, partnered on development of a state transition plan, funded community demonstrations, and sustained critical accomplishments at the state and local levels.