Horizons Unlimited is proud to announce that it has earned a 3-year certificate from its accrediting agency. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) awarded Horizons the highest possible accreditation. CARF surveyed Horizons for several days in November on such areas including its job development, job coaching, community life engagement program, and its administration.

The surveyors found a clear “dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served. Services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of conformance to standards.”

Says Ron Askland, Horizons CEO: “I am very pleased with the results of our CARF survey. Horizons Unlimited is fortunate to have a team of talented and committed professionals who have worked hard to make sure our members receive excellent services.”

Please click here to view a copy of the accreditation certificate.

Dear April Murphy and Melissa Studer,

Horizons Unlimited would like to thank you and PARC Hall for allowing our Community Life Engagement program to volunteer with your residents. This opportunity has made such a positive impact on our members. It has allowed them to serve in their community and give back to something they love so much. You have given them the chance to use all of their wonderful skills with others. Our members have continued to build these skills while also building long-lasting relationships with PARC Hall’s employees and residents.

Additionally, the volunteer experience that our members gain at PARC Hall has helped them develop marketable skills. Volunteering has been a wonderful addition to our members’ resumes, and has helped them to secure well-paying jobs in the community. The skills and qualities that our members develop while volunteering at PARC Hall will continue to benefit them for many years to come.

The generosity you have shown Horizons Unlimited’s members with your wonderful Christmas gifts demonstrates the unwavering hope for a stronger community. It is such a positive force in the lives of our members.

Thank you again from everyone at Horizons for your generosity and for making an investment in what matters.

Horizons Unlimited is pleased to announce these staff who have successfully became a Registered Direct Support Professional.  The purpose of this credentialing program is to provide recognition for the contributions and competence of their profession.  As a DSP – registered, they have established themselves as a leader among their peers, and we thank them for their time and commitment.  

James Ballas
Jeff Crawford
Betsy Elbert
Elisabeth Fofana
Nancy Gibson
Sarah Hanson
Missy Joersz
Jennifer Kraus
Sharon Manwarren
Kathi Mortimore
Kelly Mortimore
Josiah Schmidt
Callie Varner
Joe Veltri

Horizons Unlimited is grateful to employ three veterans of the United States military. Joseph "Joe" Veltri is a Direct Support Professional at 19th Street Group Home as well as an Employment Consultant in our Community Employment department. James Ballas serves as a Direct Support Professional at our Monroe Street Duplex. Cathy Benjamin also serves as a Direct Support Professional. We think highly of Joe, James, and Cathy for the great service they have offered to our country and for the great work they do serving our members here in Palo Alto County.

From Horizons CEO Ron Askland: "For your unselfish efforts, for serving our country selflessly, we salute YOU! Happy Veterans Day!"

Linda Detrick has been with Horizons for 40 years. She has seen Horizons and their members through both good times and bad. Linda's supervisor shared what she wrote to her recently in recognition of DSP week.

"Linda you have been with Horizons for more than 40 years and you know so much more than I ever will, you have shared experiences, stories and the lives of the members while also sharing your home with them when they had nowhere else to go. I can never put into words how much I admire you, how much I look up to you and how blessed I am and how extremely blessed our members are to have you with them every day. I know that when they are with you, they are in the best hands they could be. You are a great employee and a great co-worker to everyone here and most importantly you are a great support staff to our most precious individuals. I count on you every day and I know they do too and would be lost without you."

Not everyone would have stuck it out like Linda has. She's been through portions of the organization closing, pay cuts, and new roles, but she knows this is where she belongs. Her supervisor believes that Linda needs the members just as much as they need her.

Linda is extremely dependable and loyal and always, always puts the members first. After many years, change can naturally be difficult, but Linda goes with it. She knows it’s about the members and giving them the best possible care while ensuring they get every opportunity available to them.

Linda takes members to play bingo, to go fishing, and to visit museums. She plays baseball - you can count on her to be the pitcher - and assists them with hitting and running the bases. She does her very best to integrate and assist them with building relationships. She also helps them achieve the goals they have to be able to use in their lives outside of Day Habilitation. There is nothing Linda wouldn’t do for them. She has all of the amazing qualities you look for in a DSP.

People with disabilities, parents, guardians, case managers, and anyone in the general public, are invited to an informational presentation on ABLE Act accounts at Horizons Unlimited at 5 pm on Thursday August 17th. ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities. ABLE funds can be used for qualified disability-related expenses.

The presentation will be given in the Horizons conference room by Kelly Mortimore, Work Incentives Practitioner. Horizons is located at 2107 Main Street, in Emmetsburg. Those wanting more information can contact Horizons at 712-852-2211, ext. 120.

• ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged accounts that people with disabilities can take advantage of
• ABLE expenditures can be used for qualified disability expenses (expenses related to a disability)
• Up to $14,000 can be depoisited into an ABLE account every year
• With an ABLE account, the first $100,000 of assets deposited into the account are exempt from the personal resource limit that restricts eligibility for Medicaid benefits
• ABLE accounts can help people with disabilities save up money while protecting other benefits

Kate Simonson, a residential manager for Horizons Unlimited, recently became the first in the county to earn national certification through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). Kate Simonson is now Direct Support Professional-Certified (DSP-C). Her certification follows years of experience, numerous work samples and documentation meeting stringent criteria in different categories, and the submission of a 70-page portfolio.

As a DSP-certified professional, Kate Simonson is fully qualified to provide a wide range of residential support services to individuals with disabilities.

Says Ron Askland, CEO of Horizons Unlimited: “Kate Simonson is a valued employee. I am very proud of her dedication and support of people with disabilities. I would like to join our Horizons family in congratulating Kate on earning her DSP-Certified status.”

DES MOINES, IOWA (January 12, 2017) – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Governor’s Award for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities. The Governor's Award recognizes Iowa health care facilities that offer unique or innovative activities to enhance the quality of care or quality of life for their residents. Nominations are open to all health care facilities licensed under Iowa Code chapter 135C, which include nursing facilities, residential care facilities, and intermediate care facilities, including those facilities specializing in the care of persons with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. (Not eligible for nomination are assisted living programs, elder group homes, or hospital-based nursing facilities as these facilities are not licensed under the Iowa Code chapter establishing the Award program.)

Last year, Atlantic Specialty Care and Oaknoll Retirement Residence were selected to receive the 2016 Governor’s Award for Quality Care. Atlantic Specialty Care is a 90-bed long-term care facility in Cass County, and Oaknoll Retirement Residence is a 58-bed nursing facility located in Iowa City. Since the first awards were presented in 2001, a total of 53 awards have been presented to 46 individual facilities.

Residents and family members may nominate an Iowa-licensed long-term care facility for the award. Facilities may not nominate themselves for this recognition. In order to be considered for a 2017 Governor's Award, nominations must be postmarked by March 1, 2017. Nomination forms may be obtained by calling the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) at 515-281-7102 or downloaded from the Department's web site at http://dia.iowa.gov.

All nominations must state the reason the facility should be considered, such as any unique services provided by the facility to its residents, and any activities undertaken by the facility to enhance the quality of care or quality of life for its residents. A facility’s history of compliance and whether it accepts residents for whom costs are paid by the Medicaid program are also factors used in the determination of eligibility for a Governor’s Award. Upon receipt by DIA, the nominations will be evaluated and a list of finalists prepared. Under Iowa law, no more than two facilities from each Congressional District may be selected for a Governor's Award.

Three employment specialists with Horizons Unlimited recently earned national certification through the Association of Persons Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE). Josiah Schmidt, Jennifer Kraus, and Betsy Elbert are now Certified Employment Support Professionals (CESP). Their certification follows a year of classes and trainings around the state, extensive field work and case studies, and exams in Des Moines and Minneapolis.

As CESP-certified professionals, Horizons Unlimited’s employment specialists are fully qualified to assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment, and to assist businesses with improving their bottom line using customized employment strategies.

Says Ron Askland, CEO of Horizons Unlimited: “I am very proud of these employees who have worked hard to earn their CESP certificates in order to provide quality employment services to our members.”

The Fall-Winter 2016-2017 edition of "Unlimited Possibilities," the official newsletter of Horizons Unlimited, is out! Be the first to read the new issue of the newsletter here online, before the hard copies hit the mailboxes.

Click the links below to read the full image versions:

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Text-only versions of the stories:

No More Walls: how Horizons revolutionized day habilitation

This year, Horizons Unlimited has been at the forefront in Iowa of pioneering the latest best practices in day habilitation. Day habilitation is a person-centered program that enables individuals to explore new interests, become more involved in their communities, develop skills, and achieve goals.

While many sheltered workshop day habilitation programs merely bring large groups of members into a segregated facility, where the members while away their time with busy work—doing arts and crafts, playing video games, or perusing magazines—Horizons Unlimited has taken day habilitation to a whole new level.

In 2016, a slew of new laws, regulations, and court rulings from the federal and state governments began making it clear that keeping people with disabilities segregated in a sheltered workshop outside the community would no longer be allowed. These new rules, designed to encourage compliance with the letter of the law in the Americans With Disabilities Act, alarmed many agencies. Horizons, however, benefited from close consultation with representatives of the federal Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), who guided Horizons on the best way forward within the new legal climate. 

In order to stay at the cutting edge of disability policy, Horizons closed down its workshop, sold its facilities, and moved to a smaller office in the heart of town, where it could run a leaner and more effective organization.

Part of the new requirements included making day habilitation as integrated into the community as possible. This meant picking members up directly from their homes, taking them out into the community for activities, and then dropping them back off at their homes at the end of the day, so that they never set foot in a segregated facility. Paige Metzger, Horizons day habilitation coordinator, rose to the challenge. “We heard that the rules were changing, and that the government wanted our members to be out in the community. This past spring, we started with a couple ‘No Walls’ pilot groups to work out the kinks,” says Paige.

“At first, I thought it would be difficult,” Paige admits. “When we got rid of our Day Hab building, we needed to figure out transportation and places for the members to go, especially in the winter when the weather worsens.”

Paige put her community connections to work and succeeded in developing a wide array of activity options for the members to participate in. “Our activities are now much more centered around finding opportunities for volunteer work. We volunteer at nursing homes, animal shelters, city parks, the Feed Our Kids program, and the UDMO food pantry. Our partnership with the Multi-Purpose Center has been a great thing for us, and for the Multi-Purpose Center as well.”

This is not to say that Day Hab members don't also do things that are purely for entertainment or education. Day Hab groups also frequent museums and historical sites, and take part in fun activities like fishing or bingo.

“We have a place for everyone,” says Paige.

Paige has witnessed a remarkable improvement in participants’ outlooks since switching to “No Walls” Day Hab. “We invested in several new vehicles so that we could take out smaller groups. Four is the largest group that we do. This allows members to go with friends who have similar interests. It also allows them to form relationships with people in the community, in addition to the relationships they’ve had with one another. We have seen a big decrease in behavioral incidents under the new Day Hab setup. Everyone just seems to be so much happier.”

Horizons’s program has been so successful that it was recently recognized by the Iowa Association of Community Providers at a meeting in Des Moines.

After six years of service, Paige will be leaving Horizons Unlimited: on December 31st of this year, Paige will be getting married and relocating to South Dakota to start a new chapter in her life. Horizons Unlimited is grateful to Paige for all of her ingenuity and hard work, and wishes her the best!

The Horizons Unlimited Can & Bottle Redemption Center in Emmetsburg will be closing, effective March 1^st, 2016. Many recent government laws and court rulings mandate that individuals with disabilities may no longer work in segregated facilities, but must have jobs in regular business environments alongside workers who do not have disabilities.

On December 29, 2015, a U.S. District Court ruled against the State of Oregon for keeping thousands of individuals with disabilities in sheltered workshops, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The state of Oregon is required to move many of these individuals out of workshops and into legitimate jobs in the community at competitive wages. This trend is a necessary one that the entire country must soon abide by. Horizons seeks to stay on the cutting edge of this movement by transitioning away from having a sheltered workshop to being fully integrated into the community.

Horizons Unlimited will hone our focus to the Day Habilitation program and the Job Development program. The Horizons Unlimited building complex on Highway 4 has been sold, and Horizons will be moving to a new location in town by July 1^st or earlier.

Horizons Job Development staff are in the process of finding jobs in the community for members. Members also have the option of participating in the Day Habilitation program. Horizons will continue to do our best to provide quality services to individuals with disabilities, while complying with all state and federal regulations and rulings.

The Horizons Can & Bottle Redemption Center will continue to accept cans and bottles until 7 pm on Monday, February 29^th. The Horizons Can Redemption Center thanks Emmetsburg and the surrounding communities for their many years of patronage!

DES MOINES, IOWA (January 7, 2016) – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Governor’s Award for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities. The Governor's Award recognizes Iowa health care facilities that offer unique or innovative activities to enhance the quality of care or quality of life for their residents.  Nominations are open to all health care facilities licensed under Iowa Code chapter 135C, which include nursing facilities, residential care facilities, and intermediate care facilities, including those facilities specializing in the care of persons with mental illness or intellectual disabilities.  (Not eligible for nomination are assisted living programs, elder group homes, or hospital-based nursing facilities as these facilities are not licensed under the Iowa Code chapter establishing the Award program.)

Last year, Crestview Specialty Care in West Branch was selected to receive the 2015 Governor’s Award.  The 65-bed long-term care facility was nominated for the Award by the family member of a former resident who cited the outstanding care and services provided by Crestview to its residents.  Since the first awards were presented in 2001, a total of 51 awards have been presented to 44 individual facilities.

Residents and family members may nominate an Iowa-licensed long-term care facility for the award. Facilities may not nominate themselves for this recognition. In order to be considered for a 2016 Governor's Award, nominations must be postmarked by March 1, 2016.  Nomination forms may be obtained by calling the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) at 515-281-7102 or downloaded from the Department's web site at http://dia.iowa.gov.

All nominations must state the reason the facility should be considered, such as any unique services provided by the facility to its residents, and any activities undertaken by the facility to enhance the quality of care or quality of life for its residents. A facility’s history of compliance and whether it accepts residents for whom costs are paid by the Medicaid program are also factors used in the determination of eligibility for a Governor’s Award.  Upon receipt by DIA, the nominations will be evaluated and a list of finalists prepared. Under Iowa law, no more than two facilities from each Congressional District may be selected for a Governor's Award.

Due to an influx of inventory, the can redemption center at Horizons Unlimited will be closed to the public October 19th - November 15th. This will allow our employees to process the growing surplus of cans. The redemption center will be open again for business on Monday, November 16th, 2015. Horizons thanks our customers for their patience and understanding, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Please note that when the can redemption center reopens, payment will no longer be given in the form of cash. Checks will be sent the following week after the cans have been received. Customers will be provided with a form to fill out, which will need to be legible, so that checks can be sent to them.

If you have further questions, you may contact Associate Director Deb Davis at (712) 852-2211 ext.102.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, attendees, and especially the wineries who helped make our UnWined wine tasting fundraiser on Sunday, September 13th a great success! The fundraiser raised $5000 to benefit the group homes and services we provide for the individuals with disabilities that we serve, and over 100 tickets were sold, both measurable improvements above the same event last year.

Click here to view a slideshow of the event!

Thank you to the following wineries for setting up booths at UnWined to allow attendees to sample and purchase a total of 28 wines:
Algona's Train Wreck Winery
Estherville's Little Swan Lake Winery
Indianola's La Vida Loca Winery
St. Charles's Madison County Winery

Thank you to the following store for providing hors d'oeuvres:
Emmetsburg's Fareway
Spencer's HyVee

Thank you to Emmetsburg's own Emily Schmidt for providing the live music!

Thank you to the following $250 Event Sponsors:
Buchanan, Bibler, Gabor & Meis: Casey's General Store; Dan Cooper Builders Inc.; Dr. Bob & Nancy Cozine; Emmetsburg Eye Clinic; Emmetsburg Reporter/Democrat; Dr. Bill & Marcie Frevert; Hughes Healthmart Pharmacy; Iowa Trust & Savings Bank; Dr. David & Judy Nixon; Atty. Sean Solberg (Davis Brown Law)

Thank you to the following $100 Event Patrons:
A Heavenly Celebration; Ron Askland; Cindy & Tom Chapman; Elbert Chevrolet Inc.; Emmetsburg Chiropractic Clinic; Fareway Food Stores; Farmers State Bank; Roger & Sue Faulstick; Hardware Hank; Hughes, Brennan & Wirtz Insurance; Jack & Kay Kibbie; Kiesling Associates; K&W Electric; Louscher Family Dentistry; Christine & Mike Louscher; Cindy & Tom Magee; Mansmith Pharmacy & NWIC; Petersen Furniture & Carpeting; Phil & Ann Stillman; Wild Rose Casino & Resort.

Thank you for contributing the wine glasses:
Mike & Chris Louscher and Dan & Mary Cooper

Thank you to our volunteers:
Ron Askland, Pam Beschorner, Deb Davis, Cherie Flynn, Kathy Jackson, Liz Mammen, and Laurie & Dave Schneider

Thank you to The Shores At Five Island for providing much assistance & accommodation.

Thank you also to the Horizons Unlimited Board of Directors!

The Iowa Department of Human Services filed administrative rules to implement the Employment Services Redesign Plan on August 19.  This plan was developed by a workgroup in 2013, and implementation of that plan is just now starting to move forward.  These rules are not yet final - this is the first step in the rulemaking process (the "notice" of rules). 

• Review the proposed rule changes here,
• Read the 2013 Plan here.
• Find out more about how DHS is increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities here.

 The proposed rule changes noticed on August 19 change employment service definitions as required by the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). The rules also change provider qualifications, scope of services, duration, limitation and reimbursement methodologies for the Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) prevocational and supported employment services within the Habilitation services program and the Intellectual Disability (ID) and Brain Injury (BI) waivers.

If you have concerns about these changes or would like to voice your support for them, you have several ways to take action:

1. Email, fax, or mail your comments to DHS.
   
   
2. Ask DHS to hold a public hearing on the rules. You can do that by sending DHS a request signed by 25 people (or an organization representing 25 people).  If you make this request, you will want to be prepared to have people attend the public hearing and speak.  DHS must then hold a hearing no less than 20 days before the final rules are adopted.
   
   
3. Contact the legislators on the Administrative Rules Review Committee.  It does not matter if these legislators represent your district - they know that their role on this committee is to make sure rules are lawful and the people that have a stake in the rules are heard.  You can find a list of these people here and you can contact them here.
   
   
4. Contact your State Representative and State Senator and let them know what you think.  You can ask them to contact their colleagues on the Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) - you are basically asking your legislators to lobby the ARRC on your behalf.  You can contact your legislators here.
   
   
5. Contact the Governor and ask his Administrative Rules Coordinator to take action on the proposed rules.  You can contact the Governor here..

______________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE RULEMAKING PROCESS

• Amerigroup Iowa, Inc.
• AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, Inc.
• UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, Inc.
• WellCare of Iowa, Inc.

Did you know you can make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities served by Horizons Unlimited -- and you can do it while you shop at Amazon.com?

AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of your purchase total to Horizons Unlimited (it may not seem like much, but with many people participating over time, it adds up!). The donation is not an extra cost added to your purchase. Amazon donates the money to Horizons Unlimited out of the profit that Amazon would have normally taken from your payment.

Easy 2-Click Sign Up

Step 1
Go to smile.amazon.com. Go down to "Or pick your own charitable organization" and type in "Horizons Unlimited of Palo Alto County". Click the "Search" button to the right.

Click image to enlarge

Step 2
Click the yellow "Select" button to the right of "Emmetsburg, IA," and start shopping!

Click the image to enlarge

Remember: Horizons Unlimited only benefits when you start at http://smile.amazon.com

The employment setting for individuals with disabilities is going through a transformation. Over the past several years, the federal government has issued laws, court decisions, and rules that require states to administer work and day habilitation services for individuals with disabilities in an integrated manner, i.e. in regular business environments alongside workers who do not have disabilities. In addition, the state government’s mental health redesign means that Horizons will no longer receive subsidies for employing workers with disabilities in its recycling center.

As a result, with the best interests of the organization and its members in mind, Horizons Unlimited will be closing its recycling program effective January 1, 2016. Horizons is coordinating with Palo Alto County officials to ensure that recycling in the county will continue. The Horizons can and bottle redemption center will remain open and will not be affected by the closing of the recycling program.

Horizons members who have been working in the recycling center will be assigned to other work areas in the Horizons facility. Horizons is also fulfilling its mission by finding many members jobs in the community. Members also have the option of participating in the Horizons Day Habilitation program. Horizons staff who work with members in the recycling center will have the option of being transferred to new positions. Horizons does not expect any layoffs as a result of this transformation.

This transformation will better position Horizons Unlimited financially to continue and expand its mission of providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities in northwest Iowa. By handing over recycling operations to the county, Horizons will be freed up to better provide services to members, and members will enjoy more integration into the community.

For more information, contact Ron Askland, CEO for Horizons Unlimited, at 712.852.2211 extension 104 or at RonAskland@horizons-unlimited.net.

Today is the anniversary of a watershed moment in disability rights history − the “Olmstead decision.” With this ruling, the nation’s highest court affirmed that those of us with disabilities, including the most significant disabilities, have the right to live and receive services in our communities. It was a major victory for Americans with disabilities − and all Americans who believe in equality and inclusion.

The plaintiffs were two women with mental illness and developmental disabilities who were confined to a state-run psychiatric unit for several years despite wanting, and having been deemed ready, to participate in a community-based program. They filed suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and in 1999 the Supreme Court agreed that such unjustified segregation constitutes discrimination. It also said that publicly funded services must be provided in the most integrated settings possible.

This includes, of course, employment services. Because for so many of us, whether we have a disability or not, a key part of living in the community is working in the community.

Click here to read more.

Horizons Unlimited will be holding the 3rd annual UnWined wine tasting event from 3-6 pm on Sunday, September 13th, 2015 at the new scenic Shores At Five Island community center in Emmetsburg. Along with tasty hors d'oeuvres and relaxing live ukelele music, UnWined will be the perfect way to start off your autumn. Funds raised will benefit adults with disabilities in Palo Alto County. 

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Second Hand Thrift Store in downtown Emmetsburg, or by credit/debit online, or by mailing a check to:
PO Box 567
2107 Main Street
Emmetsburg, Iowa 50536

Wineries/Vendors
La Vida Loca Winery - Indianola, IA
Little Swan Lake Winery - Estherville, IA
Madison County Winery - St. Charles, IA
Train Wreck Winery - Algona, IA

Become an UnWined Sponsor with a $250 donation.
Become an UnWined Patron with a $100 donation.

We afford many advertising and publicity benefits to our UnWined Sponsors and Hosts. If you are interested, send us an email and let us know.

Thank you to our 2015 UnWined Sponsors:

Buchanan, Bibler, Gabor & Meis


Casey's General Store

Dan Cooper Builders Inc.

Sean Solberg, Atty (Davis Brown Law Firm)

Emmetsburg Eye Clinic (Drs. DJ & Ryan Reedy)

Emmetsburg Reporter/Democrat

Hughes Health Mart Pharmacy

Iowa Trust & Savings Bank

Dr. Bob & Nancy Cozine
Dr. Bill & Marcie Frevert
Dr. David & Judy Nixon


Thank you to our 2015 UnWined Patrons:

A Heavenly Celebration

Elbert Chevrolet, Inc.

Emmetsburg Chiropractic Clinic

Fareway - Emmetsburg

Farmers State Bank

Hardware Hank

Hughes, Brennan & Wirtz Insurance

Kiesling Associates

K&W Electric

Louscher Family Dentistry

Mansmith Pharmacy & Northwest Iowa Compounding

Petersen Furniture & Carpeting

Wild Rose Casino & Resort

Ron Askland
Tom & Cindy Chapman
Roger & Sue Faulstick
Jack & Kay Kibbie
Mike & Chris Louscher
Tom & Cindy Magee
Phil & Ann Stillman

Medicaid covers 546,000 people in Iowa, which is 18 percent of the population.

In Iowa, Medicaid expenditures by state and federal government top $4.2 billion annually, which includes $1.5 billion of state money. Horizons Unlimited receives over $170,000 per month in Medicaid reimbursement providing services to persons with disabilities.

Managed care is already in place in many states, and is expected to expand to even more states. This is in order to help cut Medicaid costs.

Managed care is described as a set of techniques to be used to for reducing unnecessary health costs while improving the quality of care.

Governor Terry Branstad has introduced plans to hire private managed care companies to help run Iowa’s Medicaid program. Managed care is expected to be implemented January 1, 2016.

Private companies are involved in managed care arrangements to help oversee health care programs and share the savings they obtain by making care more efficient.

Governor Branstad believes if the government is able to spend less on Medicaid, the quality of care should improve greatly by lowering medical costs and hospital visits. Branstad is projecting it would save $51.3 million during the first six months after implementation.

Legislators are being careful to make sure this shift won’t lead to cuts in services or payment rates to medical providers.

How Does This Impact Horizons?

Managed care is likely to present both challenges and opportunities for service providers. There will be an emphasis upon the development of natural supports, with the dual goal of integrating into the community and quality of life while managing costs. Managed care companies will look beyond just mental health, focusing also on physical health.  Preventable health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are among the conditions that will be managed.

A focus will be on integrating into the community, and providing services in smaller groups. Horizons Unlimited’s Board of Directors and the Horizons management team are currently working on strategic planning that will help ease Horizons into this new world of managed care.

Horizons members working in the community

"We hired Travis last summer and Leonard last fall," says Don Joyce, manager of the Emmetsburg Dyno's station. "Kathy Jackson [job placement specialist] from Horizons wrote me a letter about supportive employment, and then we followed up with meetings. Dyno's decided that it was the right thing to do for the community, and a great decision for our company. All it took was a little open-mindedness."

Before working at Dyno's, Leonard Swalve and Travis Spoo worked at the Horizons recycling center. They enjoyed it, but when the opportunity arose to work in downtown Emmetsburg, they decided to take a chance.

"I always wanted to work at a gas station," says Leonard. "I like seeing new faces every day and getting to meet people." Leonard, pictured above, works alongside his coworker, Patty, to stock shelves and keep everything clean. He also works independently, and can always be seen with a smile on his face. "My favorite day is Wednesday--'truck day'. I like taking in the new inventory off the truck."

"The best thing about working at Dyno's is earning my own paycheck," says Travis. "A couple weeks ago, I used my money to buy a 2009 Chevy Trailblazer that I drive to work." Travis works at both the Emmetsburg and Pocahontas locations. "It feels good to earn a living, and I like the people I work with."

"Leonard and Travis's customized employment here has been a big success. It was pretty easy to train them. They work hard, show up on time every day, and are a great help to the rest of the staff," says Don Joyce. "Changing people's ideas about this is a gradual process. My advice to other employers in the area is to just be open-minded."

On April 16th, Horizons Unlimited completed significant updates to its board room, thanks to a $4,159 grant received from the Palo Alto County Gaming Development Corporation on March 1st.

Horizons Unlimited’s board room has been set up with a new 55” Samsung smart television and a Lenovo desktop computer system. These updates enable the capability for better communication and presentation for Horizons Unlimited’s members, staff, and board of directors. Residential managers have helped members prepare Powerpoint presentations so that the members are able to express their wishes more clearly. The technology is regularly utilized in staff trainings, and monthly board meetings.

Says Horizons CEO Ron Askland: “Due to the generosity of the PACGDC, our board room has the capability to use current technology to make our meetings more efficient and to provide quality trainings to our employees and members.”

Wild Rose Casino & Resort - Emmetsburg


Kingston Life & Health - West Des Moines


Davis Brown Law - Emmetsburg, Des Moines

Event Sponsors

A&W - Emmetsburg


ASI Contracting (Agri Services of Northern Iowa) - Emmetsburg


Building Center - Emmetsburg


Dan Cooper Builders - Emmetsburg


Emmetsburg Chiropractic Clinic - Emmetsburg


Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities - Emmetsburg


Emmetsburg Reporter/Democrat - Emmetsburg


Fareway Food Store - Emmetsburg


Farmers National Company - Emmetsburg


Farmers State Bank - West Bend, Algona, Whittemore


Hometown Electric - Emmetsburg


Hughes, Brennan & Wirtz Insurance - Emmetsburg


Hughes Pharmacy - Emmetsburg


Iowa Lakes Community College - Emmetsburg/Estherville


Iowa Trust & Savings Bank - Emmetsburg


Johnson Realty - Emmetsburg


Kampen Foods & Catering - West Bend


Kiesling Associates - Emmetsburg


Knights of Columbus - Emmetsburg / West Bend


K&W Electric - Emmetsburg


Louscher Family Dentistry - Algona


Mansmith Pharmacy/NWIC - Emmetsburg


Manwarren Excavating - Emmetsburg


Midwestern Mechanical - Emmetsburg


Molyneaux Risk Solutions - Davenport


Northland Auto & Marine - Emmetsburg


Palo Alto County Health System - Emmetsburg


Poet Biorefining - Emmetsburg


QS Lawn & Pest Control - Emmetsburg


Barbara Workman, REMAX - Emmetsburg


Ruthven Methodist Church - Ruthven


Slash Point Sales - Emmetsburg


Thrivent Financial - Emmetsburg


Wentzel's True Value Farm & Home Hardware - Emmetsburg


West Bend Red Power - West Bend

Entertainment Sponsor:
Rotary Club (Emmetsburg) - Emmetsburg

Catering Sponsor:
Aluma Trailers - Emmetsburg

Business Contributors:
Dr. Dean Ver Mulm, OD
The Financial Center
Dyno's Oil Corporation
Iowa Trust & Savings Bank

CARF recently announced that Horizons Unlimited of Palo Alto County, Inc. has been awarded a Three-Year Term of Accreditation for the following programs and services:  Community Employment Services: Employment Supports and Job Development; Community Integration; Employment Planning Services; Organizational Employment Services.

Casey’s General Store for donating the pizzas;  Your Family Bakery for the French bread;  Marvella Wickman for the angel food cake;  Linda Hood for the dips; as well as Cindy Magee, Mary Cooper and Chris Louscher for providing food items for the amazing appetizers.

Mike & Chris Louscher and Dan & Mary Cooper for the wine glasses;

Stephanie Solberg for her food & wine expertise;

Horizons Unlimited Fundraising Committee and our volunteers for their hard work to make UnWined a success.

And, THANK YOU for your support of Horizons Unlimited and our efforts to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to develop their full potential in a positive atmosphere.

Kathy Jackson, Job Placement Specialist at Horizons Unlimited, recently received the Bill Donahue Award for demonstrating the most outstanding efforts in placing Iowans with disabilities in integrated community employment.  The award was presented during the awards banquet at the National Conference for the National Rehabilitation Association held in Des Moines on Saturday, November 1.

“This award is possible through the collaborative efforts of everyone at Horizons Unlimited to help train and prepare our members for integrated work in our community.  We are grateful to all the businesses that work with us to develop suitable customized employment.  This team effort is a win-win for our members and our community,” commented Jackson.

Jackson has worked with over 80 businesses in Emmetsburg and the surrounding communities with the message of how working with individuals with disabilities can increase a business’ bottom line.  This endeavor has secured 25 individual employment placements for adults with disabilities in 13 different businesses.

In the photo:  Kathy Jackson, Horizons Unlimited Job Placement Specialist, receives the Bill Donahue Memorial Award from Ann Petersen, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and Molly Giddings, Vocational Rehabilitation Assistant.