Easter Seals Iowa Center

Achieving Independent Methods (AIM) is designed to be a wrap around program for clients to learn and grow all while utilizing one program. The program is funded by Polk County Health Services at no cost to participants.

Assistive Technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Easter Seals Iowa's Assistive Technology Center encompasses three programs: Equipment Loan, Demonstration Center and Lending Library.

Case Managment
Easter Seals Iowa case managers maintain frequent contact with their clients. Working as a team with others involved in the client's life, they design a program plan that best meets the needs of the individual as he or she strives toward greater personal freedom.
Our case managers help clients define their objectives, identify their needs and strengths, advocate on behalf of their rights, monitor services, check their progress and link them to appropriate providers.

Service Coordination
Easter Seals Service Coordination assists and empowers persons with mental health and mental retardation diagnosis' to gain access securing and sustaining resources necessary to live within their community independently. Service Coordinators are able to provide limited direct assistance to their consumers. Service Coordination clients are not required to have Title 19 or be Title 19 eligible.

Clients Socially Integrated is a community-based day program, for adults with disabilities, focused on learning transferable skills which lead to independence in the community. Communication, safety, transportation and independent skills are sharpened as clients visit historical sites, volunteer, visit coffee shops, go to movies and much more.

The EmployAbility program focuses on increasing prevocational skills, in order to prepare individuals for community-based employment. EmployAbility focuses in the areas of transportation and safety, professional dress, professional expectations, emergency procedures and job task completion. The program also supports the development of social skills and teamwork. Easter Seals Iowa partners with Des Moines area community businesses to put these skills into action. EmployAbility clients work in live business settings, completing a variety of job tasks. By volunteering their time, EmployAbility clients strengthen prevocational skills, and community businesses benefit from their efforts.

Project SEARCH is an internship program that places young adults with special needs in a real working environment, giving them skills to prepare for the workforce. The goal of the program is community-based employment for clients. Through total workplace immersion, clients experience a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and relevant job-skills training obtained through strategically designed internships. While at their internships, participants receive follow-along job support services with the goal of becoming independent at their sites.

Internships take place at Mercy Medical Center.

For many farm family members and rural residents with a disability, Rural Solutions represents their only hope of returning to farming and their communities. Team members are knowledgeable about resources throughout the state which can address the unique needs of rural family members with disabilities, and actively pursue services that will enhance their lives.

Rural Solutions staff will assist the rural family to connect with other community resources and agencies that may be of additional service to the rural family to help them reach their goals after acquiring a disability. Easter Seals Iowa Rural Solutions services are provided free of charge to the individual and family receiving the services.

Supported Community Living (SCL) provides people with disabilities the opportunity to live as independently as possible in the community. Service includes support with safety, housekeeping, finances, communication, employment, socialization, transportation and wellness.

Supported Education is a unique program designed to give participants support and guidance as they develop marketable skills through education. Participants are provided with an array of services to help them successfully complete their educational goals.

Accomplishing educational goals leads clients to further success in education, employment
and personal goals; for example, studying for and passing a driver’s test or obtaining a GED.

Supported Employment assists clients in both obtaining and maintaining community-based employment. A job developer supports clients in determining employment opportunities they are interested in and in finding a job. Job developers also support clients to fill out applications, prepare resumes and perfect interview skills. Once a job is obtained, a job coach assists clients to learn job responsibilities, the culture and values of the work environment, job accommodations and explaining how employment affects their benefits.