University of Iowa Health Care Center for Disabilities and Development

10/08/2025

Looking for local support? Here's how to find your nearest ADRC!

ADRC = Aging & Disability Resource Center
Think of it as Iowa’s “No Wrong Door” system to help you find services easily—whether for aging, disability, or caregiver support. Available statewide.

How to locate your local ADRC:

Visit the official Iowa HHS website.

Choose your county from the lists or maps to find:

Disability Access Points (DAPs) – Local offices that help individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers with planning, referrals, and follow-ups. Find yours here: https://smpl.is/abhqe

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) – Serving adults 60+, caregivers, and adults with disabilities—with services like meals, counseling, in-home support, and more. Find yours here: https://smpl.is/abhqf

Why it's worth knowing:

It’s free, local, and personalized

It helps you get connected—without confusion or dead ends

Whether you're calling, searching, or walking in—you're in the right place from the start

Need help right now?
Call Iowa Compass: 1-800-779-2001
Chat, text, or email via their site for support

Everyone deserves the resources they need—ADRCs make sure you find them.

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10/04/2025

October is Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month. It’s a time to come together as a community, raise awareness, and support each other. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share tips, resources, stories, and ways you can get involved. Stay tuned!


Link to toolkit: https://smpl.is/accpe

10/01/2025

Meet Gatwech R. Miak

We’re excited to introduce Gatwech, our Behavioral Health Coordinator at the BioBehavioral Day Treatment Center within the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD)! Gatwech is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 17 years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Originally from South Sudan, Gatwech grew up in a refugee camp in Ethiopia before coming to the United States. He now lives in North Liberty with his wife and four children. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdepartmental Studies with an emphasis on Health Sciences from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science from the University of Kansas. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Applied Behavior Analysis at Endicott College’s Institute for Applied Behavioral Science.

Throughout his career, Gatwech has worked in various settings, including residential facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID). His passion lies in helping individuals build essential life skills—such as communication, social interaction, and independence—through individualized interventions rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Gatwech shares: “What I love most about delivering behavioral services through the lens of Applied Behavior Analysis is that each intervention is tailored to the individual. In this approach, the individual is teaching me about their experiences, thus allowing me to learn more about them and how to best serve them.”

We’re thrilled to have Gatwech’s expertise, compassion, and dedication on our team!

09/30/2025

Iowa Compass wants your feedback!

Iowa Compass, housed at CDD and Iowa's UCEDD, is always working to make their website as helpful and accessible as possible—and they would love to hear from you.

We’ve created a short, voluntary, and anonymous survey that takes just a few minutes to complete. Your input will help us improve how we share information and resources online.

Take the survey here: https://smpl.is/acckk

We just need you—our community—to let us know what’s working and what could be better.

09/30/2025

Reminder! You are welcome to join us for live feedback sessions regarding Iowa Compass Wednesday and Thursday. Details in the caption!

Iowa Compass is working to make our public website and resource database as easy and helpful as possible for Iowans looking for support.

We’d love to hear from you:

- What’s working well
- What could be improved
- What would make it easier for you to connect with the resources you need

Join a virtual feedback session:

Wednesday, October 1 from 12:00-12:30pm
Registration is required: https://smpl.is/acgxh

Thursday, October 2 from 3:30-4:00pm
Registration is required: https://smpl.is/acgxi

Or share your feedback via our quick online survey: https://smpl.is/acgxg

Your input will help us improve how Iowans find the resources they need.

09/29/2025

What’s an ADRC?

ADRC = Aging & Disability Resource Center
Think of it as Iowa’s “No Wrong Door” system for finding help with aging and disability services.

Here’s how ADRCs serve Iowans
- Free, statewide, and confidential support
- One-on-one help by phone, online, or in person
- Local partners like Area Agencies on Aging & Disability Access Points
- Iowa Compass – your call center & resource database
- Personalized planning to help you live independently

Whether you’re an older adult, a person with a disability, or a caregiver—ADRCs make sure you get connected to the right support, without confusion or dead ends.

Call today: 1-800-779-2001
Learn more: https://smpl.is/abhou
Because every Iowan deserves easy access to the care and supports they need.

09/26/2025

What if driving wasn’t an option?

Transportation shapes every part of life. Week Without Driving invites us to pause and reflect on what life is like for millions who cannot drive due to age, disability, income, or other barriers.

Next week (September 29-October 5) is about sharing stories, raising awareness, and reimagining communities where everyone has access to safe, affordable, and reliable transportation options.

Save the Date!
Join us on Tuesday, October 22 at 12:00 PM at the Center for Disabilities and Development, 100 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City for a special talk with Author Anna Zvarts: When Driving Isn’t an Option: Building Communities that Work for Nondrivers.

Learn more and get involved: https://smpl.is/aclxi

Questions? Contact: angela-smith@uiowa.edu

09/25/2025

What Are Therapy Dogs?

Therapy dogs are specially trained pets who bring comfort, joy, and emotional support to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, disaster areas, and more.

Key Facts:

Not the same as service dogs → Service dogs are trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities, while therapy dogs focus on providing comfort and companionship to groups or individuals.

Training matters → Therapy dogs must be calm, gentle, and well-socialized. They’re trained to handle various environments, sounds, and smells without stress.

Health & safety → They are required to be up-to-date on vaccinations and maintain excellent hygiene before visits.

Benefits → Studies show that interacting with therapy dogs can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, boost mood, and even improve social skills.

Fun fact: Even short visits from therapy dogs can have lasting positive effects on emotional well-being.

Whether it’s a child learning to read with a furry friend at their side or a patient recovering in the hospital, therapy dogs make the world a little brighter—one tail wag at a time.

09/24/2025

Celebrating Lisa Henry Vasquez

After 20 years of dedicated service at the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), Lisa Henry Vasquez is retiring from her role as an Educational Diagnostician. Lisa brought with her 22 years of experience in special education from California and Texas, and her passion, knowledge, and compassion have touched countless families here in Iowa.

Lisa’s work has helped families feel heard, supported, and empowered with insights into their child’s academic strengths and struggles. She has also been a valued colleague, admired for her expertise and unwavering commitment to families and children.

As Lisa begins this next chapter, she is kicking off retirement with an adventure to Iceland—exploring waterfalls, fjords, glaciers, volcanoes, the northern lights, and more!

Please join us in wishing Lisa all the best in her retirement and in her many adventures ahead!

09/23/2025

From Battlefield to Best Friend: A Brief History of Service Dogs

Dogs have been helping humans for thousands of years, but the idea of training them to assist people with disabilities began in the early 20th century.

WWI & WWII – In Germany, dogs were trained to guide veterans blinded in combat. These programs inspired similar work in other countries.

1929 – The Seeing Eye was founded, becoming the first guide dog school in the United States.

Beyond Guiding – Over time, service dogs began helping people with mobility challenges, medical alerts, and other tasks that support daily life.

Today – Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are recognized as essential working partners, giving their handlers greater safety and independence.

Pictured here: Sgt. Stubby, the most decorated war dog of WWI. Stubby served with the U.S. Army, warning troops of gas attacks, locating wounded soldiers, and even capturing a German spy. His bravery made him a hero and an early example of the incredible bond between working dogs and their handlers.

Every service dog has a story — and it’s part of a long tradition of loyalty, training, and teamwork between humans and dogs.

09/23/2025

Iowa Compass is working to make our public website and resource database as easy and helpful as possible for Iowans looking for support.

We’d love to hear from you:

- What’s working well
- What could be improved
- What would make it easier for you to connect with the resources you need

Join a virtual feedback session:

Wednesday, October 1 from 12:00-12:30pm
Registration is required: https://smpl.is/acgxh

Thursday, October 2 from 3:30-4:00pm
Registration is required: https://smpl.is/acgxi

Or share your feedback via our quick online survey: https://smpl.is/acgxg

Your input will help us improve how Iowans find the resources they need.

09/22/2025

Exciting News from CDD Psychology!

We’re proud to announce the opening of a new CDD Psychology location in Bettendorf, bringing services closer to home for families in the Quad Cities area.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jacqueline Klossing shares why this new location matters:

“A third of our evaluation patients live closer to Bettendorf than Iowa City. For families, cutting down travel time means it’s easier to attend long evaluation appointments, keep up with therapy, and access the care they need—without the extra burden of travel.”

At this new location, Dr. Klossing will be providing:
- Evaluations for concerns such as autism, intellectual disability, and neurodevelopmental needs (ages 2 through early 20s)
- Therapy services using evidence-based practices like Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Trauma-Focused CBT, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and more
- Support for families, including treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, disruptive behaviors, and parent training to build skills and confidence

The goal is simple but powerful: increase access, reduce barriers, and provide high-quality care within the community.

The referral process and scheduling number remain the same: Providers should refer patients to our PAC team by calling 1-877-686-0031.

We’re excited to expand services to Bettendorf and continue supporting children, youth, and families with the comprehensive care CDD is known for.

Address: 865 Lincoln Rd. Bettendorf, IA 52722