Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA (2026)

08/25/2026

🎥 Your story has the power to make a difference.

Parents and caregivers of children and youth with special health care needs have experiences, perspectives, and stories that can inspire change—and the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute (IFLTI) wants to help you bring yours to life!

Join us for Digital Storytelling, a 3-day, in-person workshop designed to help families create a meaningful 2–4 minute digital story that can be used for advocacy and healing. Participants will receive hands-on training in script writing, voice recording, and video editing.

📅 November 11–13, 2026
📍 Iowa City, Iowa
🏨 Lodging and meals are provided

Whether you have a story you've been wanting to share or aren't quite sure where to begin, this workshop will help you turn your experiences into a powerful tool for connection and advocacy.

✨ Ready to tell your story? Apply today:
https://bit.ly/tellstories26

Questions? Contact Rachel Charlot at [email protected]

This Digital Storytelling opportunity is sponsored by the Iowa DD Council.

08/20/2026

Iowa Compass is considering offering a live, online training for older adults, people with disabilities, and family members and caregivers. The training would show you how to use the Iowa Compass website and resource database to search for services and supports in Iowa. This training would not be recorded. If you are interested, please complete this short form. We will use your contact information to send you a registration link if the training is offered: https://links.iowacompass.org/3UmJO0z

08/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GtdmL7Ayr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/11/2026

🌟 IFLTI Graduate Spotlight: Megan Helm

Community Service Project: Adaptive Swim & Safety
📍 North Iowa

As part of the 2026 Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute (IFLTI), Megan Helm developed Adaptive Swim & Safety, a project focused on making water safety education and swim instruction more inclusive for children with autism and other developmental or physical differences.

Living in a rural community with limited resources, Megan recognized the need to build awareness and strengthen partnerships that support accessible swim instruction. Her project emphasized educating lifeguards and community partners about autism, effective communication strategies, and the importance of creating welcoming environments where every child has the opportunity to learn essential water safety and swimming skills.

A key focus of Megan's project was raising awareness about elopement (wandering)—a common safety concern for many individuals with autism. Because drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death for autistic children, increasing understanding and preparedness among lifeguards can help create safer aquatic environments and expand access to life-saving swim education.

The project has already made a meaningful impact by:
🏊 Building partnerships with ABA professionals who are willing to provide education and support to local recreation centers and lifeguards.
🤝 Connecting with lifeguards across North Iowa who are interested in learning more about supporting individuals with diverse needs.
💙 Expanding opportunities for more inclusive, one-on-one swim instruction for children and families in rural communities.

Megan's Leadership Takeaway:

"I learned that sometimes you have to take the first jump. Even when it feels like you're advocating only for your own child, it is often much bigger—it affects many children, families, and individuals. If no one speaks up, nothing changes. I've found that many people are open to new ideas and solutions; they just haven't taken that first step. Building partnerships and strong relationships is also important because those connections open doors to future projects, stronger teams, and better support for the community. Through this experience, I gained valuable feedback, a deeper understanding of the need, and the confidence to know that I can do this—and so can you."

Congratulations, Megan, on graduating from the 2026 IFLTI Cohort! Your dedication to improving water safety, fostering inclusion, and building community partnerships is helping create safer opportunities for children and families across North Iowa. Thank you for using your leadership to make a lasting difference. 💙

08/04/2026

🌟 IFLTI Graduate Spotlight: Alex Egeland

Community Service Project: IEP & 504 Family Empowerment Initiative
📍Fort Dodge, Iowa

As part of the 2026 Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute (IFLTI), Alex Egeland launched the IEP & 504 Family Empowerment Initiative to help families better understand special education supports and confidently navigate the IEP and Section 504 processes.

Recognizing that many families feel overwhelmed by special education systems, Alex set out to make information more accessible by connecting parents with trusted resources, answering questions, and providing guidance throughout their advocacy journey. As her project continues to grow, she also plans to create a series of educational videos covering key topics every parent should know about IEPs and Section 504 plans.

Although the project is still underway, it is already making a meaningful impact by:
💙 Connecting families with trusted resources and support.
📚 Helping parents better understand the IEP and 504 processes.
🤝 Empowering families with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their children.
🌟 Building stronger community connections that will continue long after IFLTI.

Alex's Leadership Takeaway:

"One of the greatest lessons I learned through this program is that leadership and advocacy often have the biggest impact right within your own community. I discovered strengths in myself that I hadn't fully recognized before, and I gained the confidence to use my voice to support others.

This experience also reminded me that our family is not alone. There is an entire community of families facing similar challenges, and connecting with them has been one of the most meaningful parts of this journey. I've built lasting friendships with my classmates, and learning about each of their community service projects has broadened my perspective. Together, we've shown that when leaders share knowledge and support one another, the impact reaches far beyond a single project."

Congratulations, Alex, on graduating from the 2026 IFLTI Cohort! Your commitment to empowering families and making special education information more accessible is already creating meaningful change. We look forward to seeing your project continue to grow and impact even more families across Iowa. 💙

07/30/2026

🌟 IFLTI Graduate Spotlight: McKayla Muniz

Community Service Project: Navigating Iowa Waivers Support Group
📍 Statewide Online Initiative

As part of the 2026 Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute (IFLTI), McKayla Muniz created the Navigating Iowa Waivers Support Group—a statewide online Facebook community designed to help Iowa families better understand and navigate the state's disability waiver system.

Families often face confusion when trying to access waiver services and supports. McKayla recognized the need for a trusted, accessible space where parents, caregivers, and advocates could connect, ask questions, and learn from one another. Her goal was to empower families with reliable information, strengthen self-advocacy, and help more individuals access the services they are eligible to receive.

The project continues to make a meaningful impact across Iowa by:
💙 Creating a welcoming community where families can ask questions and share experiences without judgment.
📚 Connecting families to trusted resources and educational opportunities, including organizations like ASK Resource Center.
🤝 Providing practical guidance that helps families make informed decisions and navigate Iowa's disability service system with greater confidence.

McKayla's Leadership Takeaway:

"This project reinforced that leadership is often about making complex systems easier for others to navigate. I learned that creating meaningful change requires consistency, active listening, and building trust within a community. I also learned the importance of establishing clear expectations and thoughtful moderation to maintain a respectful and supportive environment. Most importantly, I discovered that my passion for advocacy comes from recognizing barriers and feeling compelled to make information more accessible so every family has the opportunity to succeed."

Congratulations, McKayla, on graduating from the 2026 IFLTI Cohort! Your dedication to improving access to information and empowering families is creating a lasting impact for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers across Iowa. Thank you for using your leadership to make navigating complex systems a little easier for so many families. 💙

07/30/2026

Interested in Civic Engagement?

One way to advocate for children with disabilities and their families is to stay informed about what's happening at the federal level.

On Thursday, July 30, at 8:45 a.m. CT, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP Committee) will meet to discuss and vote on several important nominations and bills. The HELP Committee is responsible for reviewing legislation and issues related to education, health care, labor, and pensions before they move through the legislative process.

During this meeting, the Committee will consider:
📚 Education-related bills, including:
• Special Education Administration Protection Act
• 21st Century Dyslexia Act
• College Transparency Act
• READ Act
• RISE Act
• State-Based Loan Awareness Act

🏥 Health and workforce-related legislation, including:
• Health Information Privacy Reform Act
• Emergency Savings Enhancement Act
• Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act

The Committee will also vote on nominations for leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, self-advocate, educator, or simply interested in how federal decisions may impact education, health care, and disability services, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and stay informed.

📺 Watch the meeting live: https://www.youtube.com/live/VOWFuCC2MY4

For those planning to attend in person, the meeting will be held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. Visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for security screening.

07/22/2026

Calling all IFLTI Graduates! We need your input to continue to provide support that is relevant to your needs. Please use the link below or scan the QR code to complete the survey. Your input is appreciated!
https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0rhcjlmf8tfYAK2

07/14/2026

🌟 IFLTI Graduate Spotlight: Alex Corbin

Community Service Project: Quad Cities First Responder Sensory Awareness & Response Training
📍 Bettendorf, Iowa

As part of the 2026 Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute (IFLTI), Alex Corbin developed and presented a training to help first responders better understand and support children with sensory and communication differences during emergency situations.

Families of children with special needs often share that interactions with first responders can be overwhelming. Children may not respond in expected ways—not because they are being defiant, but because they are overwhelmed, anxious, or unable to communicate effectively. Alex's project focused on increasing awareness, providing practical de-escalation strategies, and improving emergency response outcomes for children with sensory or communication challenges.

The project made an immediate impact:
🚓 Alex presented the training to the Bettendorf Chief of Police and approximately 25 Bettendorf Police Officers.
💙 The response was so positive that the department invited Alex back to provide the training again during Autism Acceptance Month next year.

Alex's Leadership Takeaway:

"One of the biggest lessons I learned was the value of collaboration. By consulting with former law enforcement professionals, I was able to incorporate their perspectives and terminology into the presentation, making the training more relatable and meaningful for officers. I also learned that keeping the training focused—about 15 to 20 minutes—helped hold my audience's attention while leaving time for valuable discussion. Most importantly, I saw how collaboration between first responders and families of children with special needs builds trust and creates lasting change."

Congratulations, Alex, on graduating from the 2026 IFLTI Cohort and for your newly appointed position on the Iowa DD Council board! Your leadership is helping create safer, more understanding communities by building bridges between families and first responders. Thank you for making a meaningful difference for children and families across Iowa. 💙

04/30/2026

Leadership in action 👏

A current IFLTI cohort member recently helped bring Autism Awareness & Response Training to local officers as part of their community service project—supporting safer, more informed interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum.

This is the impact of family leadership. 💙

Congrats, Alex! 👏 Your advocacy in action is making a difference—we’re so proud of the impact you’re creating!

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