CASE Prototype

Basic Points: May 2007

Innovation

Based on the principles of intensive psychiatric rehabilitation (IPR); originally developed 
by Boston University and utilized in Iowa to serve adults with psychiatric disabilities. 

Hope Haven, Inc. had achieved positive results using a modified curriculum with 
youth with disabilities and believed the model would be effective for youth career 
planning. 

Impact

Students are challenged to thoroughly consider and plan for their future through CASE; 
unfortunately, this isn’t the norm for special education youth. 

Growth in students’ social and environmental awareness and self-confidence.

West Sioux faculty and administration are so pleased with the results of the project they 
began offering it as a career-planning elective class for all students in Fall 2006.

The Hawarden and Ireton communities have taken an increased interest in the school 
and its students as a result of the media attention devoted to the project and the coffee 
shop.

Replication

Critical to replication in high school settings is adequate training of faculty and 
administration with access to mentoring and consultation as needed.

Beginning with the 2006 Fall Semester, Hope Haven, Inc. began working with MOC/
Floyd Valley High School to implement CASE in a special education classroom.

CASE has been presented at state, regional, and national conferences. Audiences have 
been very receptive, indicating the curriculum would be beneficial in their schools. 

Purchase of the curriculum includes a 2-day training. Educators from 8 Iowa schools 
attended training in Fall 2006. Immediate plans include trainings for educators in 
Spring/Summer 2007 in NW Iowa and South Dakota.

Lessons Learned

Partnership with the local business association greatly enhances the CASE curriculum. 
Support by the Hawarden Area Partnership for Progress included guest speakers, 
mentoring, consultation, and job shadow opportunities.

General discussions and instructional materials can be effective in groups. However 
personal, in-depth work may best be done between the instructor and student, one-
to-one.

Materials need to be user friendly and teen-oriented; paperwork should be 
minimized.

Hope Haven, Inc.

West Sioux 
Community School

Iowa Vocational 
Rehabilitation 
Services

Workforce 
Development 
Center

Hawarden Area 
Partnership for 
Progress

Youth & Parents

Northwest AEA

Northwest 
Transition Advisory 
Board

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.