Rachel Bussan is committed to making a positive impact on mental health treatment in Iowa through her new appointment to the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council. Appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds, Bussan begins a three-year term with a focus on advocating for people with developmental disabilities.
Mission and Role
Council’s Mission:
The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council aims to create change with and for persons with developmental disabilities, allowing them to live, work, learn, and play in the community of their choice. Bussan emphasized the council’s focus on advocacy, building capacity for necessary services and supports, and implementing systemic change at the state level.
Personal Experience and Focus:
Bussan brings a wealth of experience in workforce development, workplace accessibility, and mental health issues to the council. She is currently a collection services specialist at the West Des Moines Public Library, holding a B.A. in English language and literature from Buena Vista University and a master’s in library science from the University of Iowa. Her career has involved extensive public service, including work at the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, where she learned about accessibility and serving patrons with various disabilities.
Advocacy and Experience
Neurodiversity and Accessibility:
In her current role, Bussan has worked with the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department, the Iowa Library Association, and various library organizations, focusing on neurodiversity and employment as well as the accessibility of library facilities. She has also collaborated with the Autism Society of Iowa and the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council at conferences and meetings with state legislators.
Living with Autism:
Bussan, who has autism, uses her personal experiences to inform her advocacy. She shared her sensory-related challenges, such as sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch, and her strategies for managing them, like wearing sound-blocking earmuffs at work and preferring written communication. Quoting Dr. Stephen Shore, she noted, “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism,” highlighting the diversity of experiences within the autistic community.
Goals and Vision
Improving Employment Prospects:
Bussan is passionate about improving employment prospects for people with developmental disabilities, noting that they have much higher unemployment rates and are often underemployed and underpaid. She aims to help change this through her work on the council.
Mental Health Initiatives:
Bussan also plans to focus on mental health initiatives, which she believes will benefit all of Iowa, not just those with disabilities. She pointed out that Iowa ranks last in the U.S. for psychiatric bed availability, leading to long wait times for mental health crisis intervention. Bussan shared her own experiences with the mental health system, expressing concern for those less fortunate who struggle to access timely care.
Systemic Challenges and Legislation:
Bussan highlighted the significance of two key pieces of legislation: the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. The MHPAEA requires private insurance to cover mental health and addiction treatment, while the ACA prohibits the use of pre-existing conditions to deny or limit health insurance coverage. Bussan praised these laws for their positive impact on access to mental health care.
Looking Forward
Community-Based Solutions:
Bussan supports the notion that mental health care should be a community issue, advocating for the funding of local initiatives that have proven successful. She believes in the importance of preventative mental health measures and innovative approaches to tackling mental health challenges.
Rachel Bussan’s new role on the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council represents a significant opportunity to improve mental health services in Iowa. With her extensive experience, personal insights, and commitment to advocacy, Bussan is poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions.
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