Rebecca, a consumer at Crossroads of Western Iowa, works at a local Culver’s restaurant. There, she maintains an entry-level position, a type of job that is consistently left vacant. She really enjoys her job, stating, “I am so excited to work in the community and earn money.” Rebecca also contributes to western Iowa’s low unemployment rate. While it varies by county, the region maintains a 2-4% unemployment rate, much less than the national average of 5.1%.

We know that employers who have not previously employed a person with disabilities have questions about how the process will work in hiring and managing that resource. We can assure you that many employers have found great success in employing a person with disabilities – from having a dedicated team member filling entry-level positions to helping solve business problems with unique ideas. While you will have questions specific to your business and job openings, we wanted to share five commonly asked questions and answers. Don’t let lack of knowledge or understanding hold you back from looking at a great resource pool to fill your job needs.

Many Crossroads of Western Iowa (CWI) consumers are gainfully employed members of the community. They have a desire to utilize their skills to earn spending money, contribute to the community and gain more independence. How do we help individuals with disabilities prepare for, earn and maintain employment? What do consumers gain from employment? How do employers benefit from hiring consumers?

In his free time, Aaron loves to watch football and basketball. He’s a Chicago fan at heart, rooting for the Bears and Bulls during their respective seasons of play. When he’s not watching sports, he’s working; and after work, Aaron likes to relax because sometimes work just makes him tired.

As a case manager, we know your goal is to quickly and efficiently find the right care services for each individual you serve. We want to help facilitate your goal by being a resource you can contact to discuss general inquiries, unique situations and specific questions about our services. Below we provide a few quick reference items regarding admissions at Crossroads of Western Iowa. For more information, call our Missouri Valley office at 712-642-4114 and we’ll connect you with the right person.

Residential living is just one of the three core services we offer to adults with disabilities. It provides an opportunity for that individual to live independently, supported by trained, knowledgeable and compassionate staff. 

We currently have 32 active homes in western Iowa. To meet the needs of additional consumers in our area, we have several new homes opening this year.

• New housing units opened in Sioux City and Missouri Valley in August 
• New openings in Council Bluffs, Missouri Valley and Sioux City will occur this fall

Making the step into independent living is a unique journey for every person. Think back to your first adventure outside of the home you grew up in. Feelings likely ranged from excited anticipation to nervous consternation. Would you remember to do chores in a timely manner? Would you be able to do minor repairs around the home? The same feelings and process are similar for adults with disabilities who transition to independent living. The difference is the support they need to receive in order to succeed and thrive with this new independence.