This Olmstead Plan is a groundbreaking, comprehensive plan to provide people with disabilities opportunities to live, learn, work, and enjoy life in integrated settings.
The State of Iowa is firmly committed to ensuring that people with disabilities experience lives of inclusion and integration in the community. Iowa’s vision for the future is people with disabilities have opportunities to:
Live close to family and friends, as independently as possible
Work in competitive, integrated employment
Be educated in inclusive settings
Participate fully in community life
The Olmstead Plan is a comprehensive roadmap to ensure people with disabilities can live, learn, work, and enjoy life in integrated settings for present and future generations of Iowans. Iowa has completed updating and drafting its 2026 – 2031 Olmstead Plan, which was published on March 20, 2026. The plan was developed with extensive stakeholder engagement. Additional information and resources are now available, and the full plan can be found below.
Increase the number of children who receive developmental screening and are connected with wellbeing resources and services.
Percent of children 9-35 months whose parent completed a standardized developmental screening tool in the past 12 months.
Percent of children (0-17) who had difficulties getting or were unable to get referrals to needed providers or services.
Increase access to employment opportunities and stable employment for those with disabilities.
Percent of working aged people with disabilities not employed or who have had a reduction in hours.
Increase the number of affordable and stable housing and transportation options (for those experiencing disability).
Percent of children, ages 0-11, who experienced housing instability in the past year.
Percent of adults who could not pay mortgage, rent, utility bill and some time in the past 12 months.
Percent of adults from whom a lack of reliable transportation kept them from medical appointments, meetings, work or other needs for daily living in past 12 months.
Increase community connections and support of socially isolated individuals.
Percent of adults who reported they always, usually or sometimes feel lonely.
Percent of adults who reported they do not receive the social and emotional support they need.
Medicaid coverage was expanded to more Iowans, increasing statewide enrollment by about 28%.
Medicaid services, including long term services and supports were largely transition managed care.
Iowa’s county-based and county funded mental health and disability services system transitioned over several years to a regional-based and state-funded system and then into two separate systems in July 2025.
A “No Wrong Door” philosophy was the focal point of establishing Disability Access Points and the Behavioral Health System.
Two of Iowa’s four mental health institutes were closed as community-based services were enhanced.
The population at both state resource centers has been significantly reduced and Glenwood State Resource Center was closed on July 1, 2024.
Iowa’s DD Council was made by a federal law called the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. This group advocates for Iowans with disabilities so they can live and be part of their community. The Council is made up of volunteers appointed by the Governor to make good changes in Iowa to make the lives of Iowans with developmental disabilities better.
The Conner Training Connection’s mission is to support Iowans with disabilities to live as fully participating members of their communities through the provision of training resources and technical assistance to individuals, their family members and service providers, and other disability advocates.
The Olmstead Consumer Taskforce is a statewide advocacy group charged by Executive Order to monitor Iowa’s response to the 1999 Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision. The activities of the Taskforce support the full inclusion of people with disabilities in housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, and other areas to promote the full inclusion of individuals in all aspects of life in the community.
Money Follows the Person (MFP) provides opportunities for individuals in Iowa to move out of Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID) and into their own homes in the community of their choice. Individuals living in nursing facilities, Psychiatric Mental Institutes for Children (PMIC) and inpatient hospital settings may also qualify.
The Woodward Resource Center (WRC) Center of Excellence (CoE) is a team of clinical experts within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They provide support to individuals receiving Medicaid services that may need additional resources and/or training. Providing supports to families, provider agencies and healthcare professionals across Iowa.
A Disability Access Point (DAP) is a local place that helps people with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers find the services and support they need - both short-term and long-term.
Iowa’s redefined Behavioral Health Service System combines mental health and substance use services into one system to help make it easier for providers to help Iowans get the care they need, no matter where they go for help.
