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Hello everyone and thank you for watching this
video on the services of Iowa Compass
my name is Mike Lightbody
and I’m an Information Specialist at Iowa Compass.
At Iowa Compass we provide expertise in searching for
information on disability services and supports available to Iowans.
In the next 30 minutes or so I’m going to first talk about who we are at Iowa compass,
how we fit into a landscape of similar services in Iowa
and spend a lot of time going over how we’ve helped other
case managers with specific examples in the past
that will hopefully show you how we can assist you in the future.
So the first question you might have is…
Who is Iowa Compass?
We’re located in the Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa Hospital.
At the CDD we operate a call center where Iowans contact us about questions
revolving around disability services and supports.
There are two information specialists like myself (here on the right) and Sue Deets (on the left).
We’re the ones you talk to get the answers to your disability related questions.
We are supported through a combination of our resource specialist team, our product search
specialist and administrative support.
All together our team represents 142 years of
experience working in the disability services and supports field.
With our combined knowledge, connections and disability services experience
we can find the answers to your disability related needs.
We do that through a service called Information and Referral.
Here’s a graphical representation of how Information and Referral or I&R services operate, in general.
On the left side you’ve got some clipart people who are
dealing with a myriad of life issues and
could possibly use some help.
Let’s assume they’re not sure what to do or where to go to get that help.
That’s where an information specialist like myself can step in and connect with these people.
As a certified information specialist I’m actively listening to
the issues and problems that people are having.
I then turn that information into searching for a solution to those problems.
Through the use of a really large list of organizations or “database” of
service provider options and information (what you’re seeing here on the right).
I attempt to connect callers with those programs that can help with some of the
difficult life issues that they may be dealing with.
Typically, that database of services is overseen by a
Resource Specialist whose job it is to update and
categorize the list of organizations to make it easier for
people to find and connect with those organizations.
Without I&R looking for help means scanning dozens of phone numbers and
contacting a maze of agencies and services in the hope of making the right connection.
With I&R looking for help means a knowledgeable connection.
The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems or AIRS
sets the standards for the services of information and referral.
AIRS is the driving force of clear and consistent professional standards that
benchmark every aspect of quality information and referral services.
It’s a professional association for over 1,200 community Information and Referral
providers, primarily in the United States and Canada.
As a member of AIRS, we have access to training, information and a community which help us stay
current on best practices and standards for Information and Referral.
At Iowa Compass we are members of the Iowa AIRS.
Now, there are other specialized information and referral services in Iowa that provide
great expertise and to which we commonly refer to at Iowa Compass
but for the sake of our Iowa AIRS "I&R Landscape" discussion we’re just going to talk
about these three that are part of the Iowa AIRS.
First on our list; Iowa Compass where our focus is disability.
To be more specific our mission statement reads:
“Iowa’s leading source of information on disability services and assistive technology.”
The 211 service is another I&R service within the landscape of Iowa I&R services that
provide general information about health and human services.
They consist not only of the United Ways but also community action groups
and the Iowa State University Extension Office.
And just like the 211 I&R providers, the area agencies on aging (or triple A’s)
are a network of contact centers throughout Iowa with their