2025 Capstone Project: Crystal Larson

Supporting the Iowa HOME Project Initiative Helping Iowans with Developmental Diagnoses get the Supports and Services they need

My Journey Work Experience • Special Education Teacher

Leadership Styles and Lessons

• Direct Support Professional

• Strive to be a Transitional Leader

• Elementary and Early Childhood • SCL and Respite Services

• Daily SCL Leadership

• Supervisor and Coordinator

• Statewide Manager

• Host Home Program

• Democratic Leader

• Team oriented/driven • Shared decision making

• Collaborative Focus on Vision • Guidance and Empowerment

• What I’ve Learned

• Helpful vs Harmful • Permission to Fail

Overview of Project • Waiver Redesign for services in Iowa

• Currently 7 waivers based on diagnoses

• Elderly, Intellectual Disability, Brain Injury, Aids/HIV, Health and Disability, Physical Disability, Children’s Mental Health

• Moving to 2 (possibly 3) waivers based on age

• Iowa HOME Project

• Hope and Opportunities in Many Environments • Support more individuals with comprehensive approach to service options based on need rather than only on diagnoses criteria

• Individuals with Developmental Disabilities have opportunities for additional supports and services, including those with Autism Diagnoses

Starting with Why The Numbers • 53,243 adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Iowa • approx. 2.28% of population

• 65,000 children meet diagnostic criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder • 1 in every 110 children

My Reasons • Personal and professional impacts on supports and services for individuals with Autism Diagnoses • Lack and Loss of Services

• Growing as a Leader

• Becoming more comfortable with advocacy

Goals Research Create Participate

Research • Collect Data

• Number of Iowans affected

• HOME Project Updates

• Minutes, Emails and Informational Letters

• Impact Stories

• Meeting with impacted families

Create: Stakeholder Web

Create: Information Sheet

Create: Advocacy Tools

Impact Stories

Participate • Advocacy and Awareness Days

• Present during Advocacy and Awareness Days • Share developed resources with participants

• Speaking with Legislatures

• Connections with my personal legislatures • Providing resources for others to speak with their legislatures

• Partnering with Stakeholders

• Follow up with individuals and agencies

Autism Advocacy and Acceptance Day

Photo Credit: Autism Society of Iowa

Lutheran Day on the Hill

Photo Credit: Lutheran Services in Iowa

Outcomes Expected Connections • Advocacy and Awareness Day Participants • Present and Provide Resources

• Personal Representatives

• Speaking with legislatures for district

Unexpected Connections • Iowa DD Council Connection

• Presented advocacy asks • Including created resources in larger reach outs by DD Council

• Targeted Connections

• HHS Committee Member • Representative heading Autism Bill regarding age and money caps

Lessons Learned • Addressing the Roadblocks

• Delays in implementation (HOME Project) • Shifting the focus while still sharing information and message

• Living in the Growth Zone

• Taking initiative to make connections and advocate • Applied to be a part of Medicaid Committee

• Leading by Example

• Creating Space and Opportunities for team members to advocate

Thank You “The value of a true leader is not measured by the work they do, but by the work they inspire others to do.” ~ Simon Sinek