Olmstead Consumer Taskforce

In early 2000, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack designated the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) as our state's lead agency to respond to the 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision. Governor Vilsack called upon DHS to report on Iowa's current service system and develop the “effectively working plan" as recommended in Olmstead.   DHS convened a statewide steering committee, later given the name of the Iowa Olmstead Real Choices Consumer Taskforce, which worked to gather input that shaped the 2001 Iowa Plan for Community Development.

The Olmstead Consumer Taskforce works to assure that citizens with disabilities can live in their own communities rather than in institutional settings. Taskforce members include people with disabilities, family members, advocates, representatives of key state agencies, and other stakeholders. Taskforce priorities include:

•  Self-Advocacy and Peer Support Training
•  Reducing Institutional Bias

For more information, including Olmstead Consumer Taskforce meeting agendas, minutes, and reports,  go to the Olmstead website at http://www.olmsteadrealchoicesia.org/

For a brief history of Olmstead Activities in Iowa, click here.