Who do I call first for disability services in Shelby County, Iowa?

Start with early intervention (children under 3), your school district's special education office (ages 3–21), and Iowa vocational rehabilitation for employment. This guide points to the right front door for Shelby County.

Is help available in Spanish in Shelby County?

Yes. This Shelby County guide includes Spanish-language support, and most Iowa agencies provide interpretation on request.

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in Shelby County?

For an immediate emergency call 911. For mental health crisis support call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7. This page also lists local crisis resources where available.

Disability Services in Shelby County, Iowa

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in Shelby County, Iowa. Find who to call first for early intervention, special education, Medicaid waivers, transition planning, employment supports, and crisis help — with Spanish-language support. Always call to confirm details, which can change.

Services covered in Shelby County

Early intervention (under 3) and special education / IEPs (ages 3–21)
Medicaid waivers and home- and community-based services
Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
Transition planning, guardianship, and benefits
Crisis support — 911 for emergencies, 988 for mental health crisis

Key contacts in Shelby County

Shelby County, Iowa Medicaid / HHS (your front door) — Your front door for developmental-disability supports in Shelby County is Iowa Medicaid / HHS. Contact: Iowa Medicaid Member Services 1-800-338-8366 · or 2-1-1 for your HHS office.
Southwest Iowa Center for Independent Living (SWICIL) — Center for Independent Living serving Shelby County: independent-living skills, peer support, benefits and housing advocacy, assistive technology, and youth tr… Contact: 712-323-6863 · leagueofhumandignity.com.
Connections Area Agency on Aging (PSA 6) — Shelby County's Area Agency on Aging (LifeLong Links / ADRC): information and referral, options counseling, case management, Medicaid HCBS/elderly-waiver help,… Contact: 800-432-9209 · LifeLong Links 866-468-7887.
Your Life Iowa Crisis Line, Shelby County (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 crisis support for Shelby County residents through Your Life Iowa (mental health, substance use, suicide, problem gambling): counseling… Contact: 855-581-8111 · text 855-895-8398 · 988 · 24/7.
Iowa Medicaid / HHS, Apply for the ID waiver — Your front door for developmental-disability supports in Iowa. Contact: Iowa Medicaid Member Services 1-800-338-8366 · hhs.iowa.gov.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential crisis support 24/7 for mental health and substance use crises. Contact: 988.
Iowa Early ACCESS (Early Intervention) — Statewide early-intervention program for babies and toddlers (birth–3) with delays or disabilities: free evaluation and services. Contact: 1-888-425-4371 · iafamilysupportnetwork.org.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) — Helps people with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep a job: counseling, training, assistive technology, job placement, and student transition services. Contact: 800-532-1486 · workforce.iowa.gov/vr.
Disability Rights Iowa — Iowa's federally designated protection and advocacy agency. Contact: 800-779-2502 · disabilityrightsiowa.org.
Iowa 2-1-1 — Free, confidential information and referral to local health and human services across Iowa, your HHS office, Early ACCESS, Iowa Medicaid, aging services, and m… Contact: Dial 2-1-1 · 211iowa.org.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Shelby County directory on this page lists 10 local and statewide resources with filters by category, age, and payer, plus registry-listed providers nearby.

See more Iowa disability resources or browse other counties from the Iowa portal.