Improving Transition Outcomes

An Innovative State Alignment Grant for Improving Transition Outcomes 
for Youth with Disabilities Through the Use of Intermediaries

CASE Prototype: Preparing Youth for Adulthood 


Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services is proud to share highlights from the award-
winning Career and Self Exploration (CASE) prototype developed by Hope Haven, 
Inc. and West Sioux Community School with assistance from local partners; Iowa 
Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Workforce Development Center, Hawarden 
Area Partnership for Progress, Youth and Parents, Northwest AEA, and Northwest 
Transition Advisory Board. Funding has been provided through the Improving 
Transition Outcomes (ITO) grant administered by Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation 
Services (IVRS) with oversight provided by the Governance Group.

Background

In applying for ITO funding, this northwest Iowa team’s goal was to demonstrate that 
“Youth with disabilities will make empowered and well-informed career choices that 
result in employment consistent with their vocational goals.” The strategic plan was 
two-fold: 1) modify and implement a person-centered curriculum and 2) compliment 
the curriculum with a real-world work experience, an in-school coffee shop (Falcon 
Joe’s) staffed and run by the students themselves. 

In January 2005 juniors and seniors in West Sioux’s Resource Room began using the 
CASE curriculum adapted from an Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation (IPR) service 
model. Melanie Pottebaum, IPR Practitioner with Hope Haven and Arlys Cauwels, 
Special Education Teacher with West Sioux were instrumental in modifying the course 
to aid students’ self awareness as to their strengths and interests, especially in terms 
of future careers, and to give them a practical knowledge-base of occupations. The 
coffee shop provides a work opportunity that had not previously existed in the small, 
rural community and working in the coffee shop accounts for one-third of their CASE 
grade. 

Outcomes

CASE team member and local IVRS counselor, Randy Van Zee introduced the youth 
to VR. As a result, referrals to VR increased and youth with disabilities leave high 
school with a plan that includes IVRS. Prior to CASE, youth with disabilities often 
spent 12-18 months after graduation going nowhere; now they leave with a plan to 
pursue post-secondary education, move into employment, or both.

Due to the positive outcomes, the West Sioux school administration opened enrollment 
to the general student population, however, youth with disabilities have priority status 
should CASE enrollment exceed capacity. Falcon Joe’s is a viable, self-sustaining 
business, with revenues averaging $30-$75 per day and will sustain after grant funds 
end this fall. 

Replication 

Hope Haven, Inc. and West Sioux Community School District are marketing the CASE 
curriculum; purchase includes a 2-day training. The Maurice, Orange City, Floyd 
Valley (MOC/FV) School District is currently replicating CASE; their entrepreneurship 
component is an in-school smoothie shop.

Iowa Department 
for the Blind

Iowa Department 
of Education

Iowa Department 
of Human Services

Iowa Division 
of Persons with 
Disabilities

Iowa Vocational 
Rehabilitation 
Services

Iowa Governor's 
Developmental 
Disabilities Council

Iowa Workforce 
Development

Funded under a grant/contract supported by the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor, grant/contract # E-9-4-3-0093. 
The opinions contained in this publication are those of the grantee/contractor and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Labor.