Parent & Participant Day on the Hill 3/10
On Tuesday, March 10, Hand in Hand families and participants traveled to Des Moines for our 2026 Parent and Participant Day on the Hill.
Angie, Elizabeth, Kurt, several parents, a board member, and two 5th grade students joined the visit. For many in the group, it was their first time advocating at the Capitol.
One highlight of the day was joining a legislative subcommittee meeting focused on creating regular rate reviews for HCBS providers. This issue is critical for organizations like Hand in Hand so we can plan services that meet growing community needs. Seeing the legislative process up close helped families understand how decisions that affect disability services are discussed and shaped. And, it unanimously passed out of the subcommittee when we were there!
The day began at the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, where our group learned about current legislation and how families can advocate for people with disabilities in our community.
After a wonderful lunch hosted by our friends at the DD Council, Carlyn, their policy manager, joined us at the Capitol to help guide our conversations with legislators.
Throughout the afternoon, families and participants met with lawmakers to share their experiences and highlight why disability services and inclusive childcare matter to our community. Families spoke about how HCBS services support people with disabilities and help parents stay in the workforce. These services are both a community need and an economic driver.
Learn more about the issues discussed here.
Legislators we met with included:
Representative Chad Ingels
Representative Mike Vondran
Representative Gary Mohr
Representative Brett Barker
Representative Dan Gosa
Senator Scott Webster
Senator Zach Wahls
Senator Mike Zimmer
Senator Kerry Gruenhagen
Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer was out of town, but we were able to visit her office. Our group also had the opportunity to briefly connect with Governor Kim Reynolds.
In between meetings, the group toured the historic Iowa Law Library and watched floor debate inside the Senate chamber.
Many legislators took time to talk with our group. Several even participated in interviews led by our youngest advocates, two 5th grade students from Pleasant Valley and Davenport. Their thoughtful questions helped spark great conversations about why inclusive childcare and disability services matter to Iowa families.
The day was a powerful reminder that when families share their stories, lawmakers listen.
P.S. Advocacy does not require special training. It simply starts with sharing your experience. Several participants told us they felt nervous walking into the Capitol, but by the end of the day they were confident speaking with lawmakers and proud to represent their families and community. The training we received at the DD Council, along with our parent advocacy guide, helped make the experience simple and approachable. We hope even more Hand in Hand families will join us for Day on the Hill next year. Your voice truly matters.
P.P.S. Follow us on social media to see several interviews with lawmakers from our student advocates!