Iowa Autism Council

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About the Iowa Autism Council
Members
Priorities, Recommendations, & Issue Briefs
Meeting Calendar, Agendas & Minutes
Apply for the Iowa Autism Council

About the Iowa Autism Council

The Iowa Autism Council shall have and will perform functions and duties as specified by law (see By Laws). Responsibilities include offering advice, consultation and recommendations to the Governor and the Iowa legislature regarding matters concerning the Autism Spectrum Disorder population. The role of the Council members is to advise, not advocate, for an individual position. Advice means to inform, council, recommend suggest or guide. This advice is based on data, facts, evidence based practice, and good judgment.

The mission of the Council is to identify the needs, make recommendations for improving and enhancing the lives of individuals and families living with ASD. The vision of this group is that individuals and families living with ASD have a comprehensive coordinated system for diagnosis, treatment, and support so that individuals grow to live productive integrated lives in communities they choose. The Bylaws document outlines the nine areas of unmet needs that our recommendations and subsequent subcommittee work addressed. See the current recommendations for details and contact the chair or vice chair for subcommittee updates or inquiries.

icon IAC By-Laws Operating Procedures 2008 (Revised 2012)

Members

2012-2013
Vote	Name	City	Representation
1	Josh Cobbs, Chairperson	Sioux City	Family Member of Person with Autism
2	Theresa Croonquist	Des Moines	Insurance Industry Representative
3	Rachel Heiss	West Des Moines	Family Member of Person with Autism
4	Steve Muller, Vice Chairperson	Altoona	Residential Service Provider
5	Karn Johansen	Mason City	Family Member of Person with Autism
6	Robin Sampson	Iowa Falls	Family Member of Person with Autism
7	Danielle Sharpe	West Des Moines	Family Member of Person with Autism
8	Susan Smith	Woodward	Mental Health Professional
9	Jan Turbes	Sioux City	Research
10	Charles (Chuck) Wadle	West Des Moines	Insurance Industry Representative
11	Linda Wessels	Rock Rapids	Family Member of Person with Autism
12	Patrick (Casey) Westhoff	Ankeny	Service Provider
13	Vacant		Person with Disability
Non-voting Member	Rick Shults, Ex Officio	Des Moines	Department of Human Services
Non-voting Member	Ruth Allison, Ex Officio	Des Moines	Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Non-voting Member	Vacant, Ex Officio		Regents
Non-voting Member	Becky Harker, Ex Officio	Des Moines	Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council
Non-voting Member	Jim Mumford, Ex Officio	Des Moines	Iowa Insurance Division
Non-voting Member	Debra Waldron, Ex Officio	Des Moines	Department of Public Health
Non-voting Member	Toni Merfeld, Co-Facilitator	Des Moines	Department of Education
Non-voting Member	Beth Buehler-Sapp, Council Secretary	Des Moines	Department of Education
Non-voting Member	Sue Baker, Facilitator	Iowa City	Department of Education