Support Services


Assistive Technology for Transition Success

These assistive technology resources to support students in transition webpage includes handouts, videos and webinars. The focus is on general AT, employment, postsecondary education and training and independent living.

Visit the PACER Center website

Disability Benefits SSDI

Basic information about how to apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is provided. The application is included.

Visit the Social Security Administration website

Easter Seals Assistive Technology

Find information about Easter Seal's Assistive Technology Center's statewide programs. The services offered support living, learning and working.

Visit the Easter Seals Iowa website

Iowa Department for the Blind website

The Iowa Department for the Blind supports people experiencing blindness and low vision to achieve their employment and independent living goals.

Visit the Iowa Department for the Blind website

Iowa's Centers for Independent Living

Information about the six Centers for Independent Living in Iowa. The centers provide services and support for people with disabilities so they can live in their communities. They are not residential facilities.

Visit the Iowa Statewide Independent Living Centers website

SNAP Eligibillity

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides support to low income individuals that can be used to buy groceries.

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

SSI

Basic information about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is explained by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Visit the Social Security Administration website

Habilitation Services

Habilitation Services is a program that provides supports to individuals with chronic mental illness to live as independently as possible in the community. The program is similar to Iowa's Home and Community Based (Waiver) Services (HCBS).

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

Iowa Compass Host Home Providers

Iowa Compass provides a list of Host Home providers in Iowa.

Visit the Iowa Compass website

IEP Transition Plan

This section of the Understood site focuses on transition planning; what transition planning involves and who may be involved in the process. Links to resources and planning tools are provided. Understood is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Learning Disabilities Association.

Visit the Understood website

HCBS Waivers

Basic information about Iowa Home and Community Based Waiver Services (HCBS) and options are described in this fact-sheet.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Individual Transition Planning Guide

This planning tool from the Minnesota Developmental Disabilities Council helps students and their families think about and plan for the student's transition needs. This is an electronic form that may be printed out or saved by the user.

Visit the Minnestoa Council on Developmental Disabilities website

Path to Independence - Mobile Apps to Support Transition-Age Youth

Find out about technology that can help people in many ways. Technology can help you at work, at school and at home. Some can help you find and get a job. This document lists many resources that are free. Whether it is to stay organized, take notes, or do a job, these resources might help you.

Visit the PACER Center website

Iowa Community Resources

This resource directory from the Iowa Department of Human Services provides a list of agencies and organizations that provide services to people with disabilities in Iowa.

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

HCBS Program Comparison Chart

Iowa DHS provides a comparison of the different Home and Community Based (Waiver) Services (HCBS) available in Iowa. Services support independent living for people with disabilities.

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

Secondary Transition 101

These on-line trainings explain the Transition Planning process in Iowa. Topics include the Iowa Model of Transition Assessment and preparations for Post-Secondary Expectations in the areas of living, learning and working. Provided by Iowa Transition Specialists.

Visit the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community website

Habilitation Services- Iowa Department of Human Services

Habilitation services is a program that provides home and community based services to individuals with limitations associated with mental illness. Habilitation Services are designed to assist participants in acquiring, retaining and improving the self-help, socialization and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in home and community-based settings.

Visit the Iowa DHS website

Safer Driver Solutions

Safer Drivers Solutions is an organization that specializes in working with individuals with special needs. They provide driving instruction that is individualized. Find general tips and information about the process and possible funding options.

Visit the Safe Driver Solutions website

Transition to Adulthood Webinar Series

The University of Iowa's Child Health Specialty Clinics offers a webinar series on Transition Planning for families of youth with special needs. Topics include: School Transition Planning, Applying for Social Security, Estate Planning, Promoting Self Determination, A Youth and Parent Panel, Guardianship and Shared Decision Making, and a screening of the Intelligent Lives Documentary with Guided Discussion.

Visit the Child Health Specialty Clinics website

Suggest or Request a Resource

Searching for a resource but can't find it? Please fill out our form to let us know what information would be helpful to you.

Complete The Form

Youthood Website

Youthood is a virtual classroom-based transition tool for youth with disabilities that includes activities.

Visit the Youthood website

Representative Payee

The Social Security Administration (SSA) explains the Representative Payee program for individuals who are not able to manage their Social Security Income (SSI) payments on their own.

Visit the Social Security Administration's website

Supported Decision Making

Supported decision making is the act of supporting an individual with a disability to make their own decisions. This document describes a range of options to support individuals with disabilities in decision making and includes definitions of important terms.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

What Are Host Homes and Are They Right For Your Child?

This webinar provides an example of one family who has chosen to provide Host Home services to an individual with a disability.

Visit the ASK Resource Center website

Iowa Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is described including who is eligible and how to apply.

Visit the Benefits.gov website.

Recruiting, Selecting, and Retaining Direct Service Workers to Provide Self-Directed HCBS

This interactive training series was created for individuals who self-direct home and community-based services (HCBS), their family members, and others for recruiting and hiring the right direct service worker (DSW).

View the training

ASK AN EXPERT: GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP

Jennifer Donovan - Public Guardian at Iowa Department on Aging covers Guardianship and Conservatorship and the changes effective 1/1/2020.

View the webinar

ASK AN EXPERT: ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP

Jennifer Donovan - Public Guardian at Iowa Department on Aging covers Alternatives to Guardianship.

View the webinar

What is SSI and How to Apply

Learn about the basics of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and who may be eligible for financial support. The presenter, Suzie Paulsen, provides tips for parents and answers a variety of questions.

Watch the webinar