Advocacy was everywhere at the 2024
Together We Can Conference.
Together We Can is a one-of-a-kind, statewide conference tailored to people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. Connect with over 300 families and professionals in one day.
Below you will find recordings of our most requested breakout sessions.
watch the KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
LISA HEDDENs
Session Description:
Lisa’s personal and professional advocacy journey started after the birth of her son Paul and has taken her from parent to policymaker She will share her journey and that of her son Paul’s. She’ll share the advocacy tools she learned along the way in order to make positive policy changes to afford more opportunities for people with disabilities, in a manner she hopes will encourage audience members to become involved at the local, state or federal level by learning how to share their stories, best ways to advocate and to create partnerships that will impact the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
Powerpoint Presentation:
https://www.askresource.org/filesimages/2024%20TWC/My%20Journey%20from%20Parent%20to%20Policymaker%20Lisa%20Heddens.pdf
Speaker Bio:
Lisa Heddens is a mom with two kids who received a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education from Iowa State University. Her career choice changed after the birth of her second child, Paul, who has Down Syndrome. Thirsty for information she got involved on the local boards of directors for The Arc of Story County and Mainstream Living.
It didn’t take long before her advocacy efforts expanded. She began working for Disability Rights Iowa and then ASK Resource Center, as well as serving on several state boards and commissions. Lisa saw the need to provide support and opportunities for people with disabilities on a larger scale. She ran for the Iowa Legislature in 2002, won, and served 17-1/2 years. Lisa left the legislature in 2019 to become a County Supervisor in Story County.
Today, she continues her disability policy advocacy through work, Rotary, and as a mom. She also continues serving on boards and committees in her free time.
MEDICAID AND CHILDREN’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM UPDATES
Session Description:
This session will provide an update on current Iowa Medicaid initiatives, the waiver redesign project, and improvements to behavioral health supports for children in the coming year. With these initiatives, Iowa Medicaid’s goal is to create systems that provide equity in opportunity and access for individuals regardless of diagnosis; and to support Iowans and their families in clearly understanding how to access the services they need.
Powerpoint Presentation:
https://www.askresource.org/filesimages/2024%20TWC/Together%20We%20Can%20-%20EM%20May%203%202024.pdf
ELIZABETH MATNEY
DIRECTOR, MEDICAID AND ADMINISTRATION
Speaker Bio:
Elizabeth Matney was appointed as Iowa’s Medicaid Director in April 2021. In June 2023 she was appointed to also lead the division of Administration as the Department’s Deputy Director.
As Medicaid Director, Matney oversees Iowa’s $6.4 billion medical assistance program, which serves more than 760,000 Iowans. Prior to returning to Iowa Medicaid, she served as health policy advisor for Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, where she worked closely with HHS programs and services on a broad range of critical issues.
As the Director of Administration, Matney oversees HHS’ budget and accounting functions and information technology services.
“Liz has incredible knowledge in the budget and information technology needs of Medicaid,” said Director Kelly Garcia. “Liz is a natural fit to lead these two divisions of the agency.”
Matney holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Drake University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from Texas State University.
Her previous experience includes serving as Medicaid managed care director, Medicaid quality assurance director and her early experience includes direct care as a Medicaid provider and work at a women’s shelter.
How Does Iowa Workforce Developments' VR Division Help People with Disabilities?
Session Description:
In this session, Dr. James Williams, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator at Iowa Workforce Development, will present a high-level overview of the various services provided by IVRS. As part of those services, Dr. Williams will share the important information that parents/community stakeholders should know, along with ideas for how to utilize them to obtain competitive, integrated employment (CIE). At the end, time will be provided for parents to ask questions that may have about IVRS and how they can sign up individuals for services.
Powerpoint Presentation:
https://www.askresource.org/filesimages/2024%20TWC/James%20Presentation%20for%20TWC.pdf
Dr. James Williams, CRC, ACAS
Dr. James Williams is the Administrator for Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), a division of Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). Prior to serving as the Administrator of IVRS, Dr. Williams was the Chief Executive Officer of Bloom Consulting, a national provider organization specializing in providing vocational services, evaluations, and training to individuals with disabilities, particularly those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, an Advanced Certified Autism Specialist, and a Certified Special Education Teacher. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Special Education from Sam Houston State University, his Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University Health Science Center, and his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. He has had the wonderful opportunity to work in both public and private special education with students of all ages in both teaching and administrative roles. His passion for the last 18 years has been, and always will be, providing transitional and vocational Pre-ETS services to students with disabilities. He strives to use his professional and personal experience with ASD as a catalyst to inspire and educate others to believe in the incredible possibilities for adults and children with disabilities when they receive the appropriate services and accommodations.
What is Being Done to Improve Secondary Transition Outcomes?
Session Description:
This session will provide an overview of Iowa’s model for differentiated accountability of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, aka IDEA-DA. Discussion will include a description of how the Department of Education assigns districts a level of support, required districts actions and professional learning. Examples will be provided through the lens of improving secondary transition outcomes.
BARBARA GUY, PH.D.
Dr. Barbara Guy is the Director of Special Education at the Iowa Department of Education. In this role she has worked with regional and local special educators to build state infrastructures and capacity to provide quality special education services and supports.
Prior to her current work, Barb was Iowa’s education consultant for secondary transition. Her broad perspectives of secondary transition derive from her work at the University of Minnesota with state systems change grants on transition, her experiences at the University of Kansas and teaching students with severe and profound disabilities. This background has led to her recognition of the diverse needs of learners with disabilities and the belief that services and practices need to be flexible and broad enough to meet that diversity. She is the author of several articles and book chapters on secondary transition of youth with disabilities. In 2009 she was honored with the Mark Gold Innovative Practices in Transition Award from DCDT.
KELSEY TEETER, BSW
Kelsey currently serves as the Secondary Special Education Program Consultant with the Iowa Department of Education. Previously, Kelsey worked in the secondary school setting providing transition services. With more than 15+ years of experience in the field of disability, education, and employment; Kelsey maintains a strong commitment and passions for improving the outcomes, equity, and inclusion of individuals who experience disabilities.
2024 Together We Can is presented in partnership with
ASK Resource Center, Iowa Department of Education, and
University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development