(Source: State of Iowa) The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will host a series of listening sessions this fall for Iowans who receive community-based services to share their experiences with Iowa Medicaid leaders.
This series of events, called HOMEtown Conversations is part of the Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments (HOME) initiative to redesign Iowa’s Medicaid waiver system.
The sessions will take place in-person and virtually, in communities across Iowa in October and November. Iowans who wish to share feedback to improve the state’s community-based services are encouraged to attend.
Community-based services allow older Iowans and people with disabilities to receive care in their homes and communities rather than in an institution.
The focus of these sessions is to hear from Iowans who use community-based services, caregivers, advocates, service providers, case managers, and others. These invested Iowans will also hear from Medicaid leadership about the goals of the HOME initiative and updates about recent accomplishments and upcoming activities.
“Since the start of the HOME initiative, we’ve made seeking the input of Iowans a key priority in informing the direction, and we are excited to continue that commitment through our upcoming community conversations,” said Iowa Medicaid Director Elizabeth Matney. “We are looking to Iowans with experience navigating these services to help us make the right decisions and guide how we move forward.”
HOMEtown Conversations Schedule for Clay County:
• Spencer, Tuesday 11/14, 4:30-6 PM
o Spencer Senior Center/Occasions
o 104 East 4th Street, Spencer, IA 51301
• VIRTUAL, Tuesday 11/28, noon-1:30 PM
• VIRTUAL, Thursday 11/30, 4-5:30 PM (Spanish language event/ Español)
• VIRTUAL, Thursday 12/7, 4-5 PM (Medicaid Town Hall)
You may find more information by visiting the HOMETown Conversations website at: https://hhs.iowa.gov/ime/HOME/hometown-conversations. Links to join the virtual sessions will be released on this page the day of the session.
To learn more about the HOME initiative or sign up to attend a HOMEtown Conversation event, visit hhs.iowa.gov/ime/HOME or email iowahcbs@mathematica-mpr.com.