Improving Transition Outcomes

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

First Year Progress 


 
A Governance Group of state agencies, collaborating to improve 
employment outcomes for Iowans with disabilities, received grant 
funding from the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment 
Policy to improve transition outcomes for youth with disabilities 
through the use of local intermediaries.

With Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services taking the lead, the 
Department for the Blind, Department of Education, Department 
of Human Rights Division of Persons with Disabilities, Department 
of Human Services, Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council 
and Iowa Workforce Development monitor this effort. Operating 
as Improving Transition Outcomes (ITO), this project is charged 
with 1) developing a State Transition Plan, 2) conducting statewide 
Resource Mapping, 3) sponsoring local demonstrations and 4) sustaining 
these accomplishments. First year highlights show that VR 
is a critical partner. 

 In Council Bluffs, Counselor Lisa Chellew partnered with a local high school 
teacher, in a Train-the-Trainer approach, to team-teach Job Seeking Skills. The 
value of this partnership was demonstrated by other teachers incorporating 
this unit into their curriculum and the successful, Status 26 closure, of a client 
who was offered a job after completing the Job Seeking Skills unit. 

In Hawarden, Counselor Randy Van Zee partnered with West Sioux Community 
School stakeholders to implement a curriculum based on the Intensive 
Psychiatric Rehabilitation model. Randy's expertise has been invaluable and 
school referrals to VR have significantly increased.

In Henry County, VR Supervisor Ruth Allison and VR Counselor Christian 
Gapen have been instrumental in securing connections with the local schools. 
Ruth assisted with gathering and organizing information from youth, families 
and educators for a "Sharing Key Discoveries" meeting attended by over 30 
area stakeholders. 

Community Demonstrations

VR is a critical 
partner in the 
success of 
each local 
demonstration

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. 



Council Bluffs successfully: 1) Implemented E-Mentoring between more 
than thirty-five youth from six area high schools and employees from seven 
local employers 2) Identified job shadow and work experience opportunities 
3) Recruited six youth to participate in the local Leadership Camp.

Hawarden successfully: 1) Implemented the C.A.S.E. 
curriculum based on Boston University’s Intensive Psychiatric 
Rehabilitation 2) Opened the “Falcon Joe” coffee shop to 
provide entrepreneurial experience for youth 3) Secured 
businesses for classroom presentations, job shadows and 
work experiences. 

Henry County successfully: 1) Conducted focus groups with youth and 
families and individual interviews with youth to identify “what is and isn’t 
working with transition” 2) Conducted a “Sharing Key Discoveries” meeting 
with over 30 local stakeholders developing a Strategic Plan 3) Established 
a Youth Advisory Group of ten students with disabilities.

 Council Bluffs has expertise 
in mentoring and connecting 
employers and schools; they want 
more youth/family involvement 
and to strengthen their connection 
with the schools. 

 West Sioux has a strong school 
connection, expertise in youth 
participation, vocational curriculum and locally grown entrepreneurship; they want 
to implement 
mentoring. 

 Henry County has expertise in conducting focus groups with youth and families; 
they want to implement vocational exploration and mentoring. 

 The strengths of one community provide a resource for another. By sharing "how 
we did it," communities across the State of Iowa will develop and implement strategies 
specific to their local needs. In this manner Iowa will achieve healthy sharing, 
learning, recreation, goal-setting and problem-solving, not only 
for youth with disabilities but for all youth.

Success Highlights

Community specific 
interventions with 
documented success

Strengths & Challenges


A challenge for one community can be 
met with expertise from another

For More Information:

ITO-IVRS

510 E. 12th St.

Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-0275
www.iowaemploymentpartners.com