Iowans with mental health, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, their families, and other interested persons, are being invited to share their views regarding Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services (MH/DS) Redesign, at one of five meetings being held around the state in the next few weeks. The meetings are sponsored by advocacy groups, and according to Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Chuck Palmer, are “Important to make sure that policy makers are aware of the needs of those with disabilities.”

Legislation approved last Spring, directs the DHS to recommend a complete redesign of Iowa’s current system of delivering mental health care to those eligible for government services. Workgroups have been appointed to address core services and delivery systems. The groups’ recommendations will be delivered to the legislature, in December.

In western Iowa, meetings on the MH/DS redesign will take place September 30^th in Sioux City, and October 7^th, in Council Bluffs. For more information on the time and place, go to www.dhs.state.ia.us/partners/mhdsredesign.html on the web.