Chris Bushman

The PAES Lab is an assessment process for students with barriers to employment. I assist the students working in the lab with identifying job tasks they are good at and/or job tasks that they may need more supports in. The PAES Lab in Liberty High School was the first in the Iowa City School District.

The Transition Alliance Program was new to the Iowa City School District in 2023. It is a program that works with Vocational Rehabilitation programs to work with high school students with IEP's on skills for employment in the community.

• Developed and implemented educational programs to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes related to work and life skills.
• Collaborated with teachers to assess student needs and tailor instructional strategies effectively.

At this position I worked for the Special Education Director assisting with tracking staff trainings, purchasing for classrooms, Safety Training of staff and other jobs the director needed assistance with.

I was the Director of the Johnson County Optimae Lifeservices program. Optimae is a residential program for adults with mental health and developmental disabilities. As the director I was responsible for;

I oversaw program implementation to enhance community engagement and service delivery.

Developed strategic partnerships with local organizations to address community needs effectively.

Managed budgeting and resource allocation to optimize operational efficiency across programs.

Led staff training initiatives to improve performance and ensure compliance with regulations.

Analyzed program outcomes to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement efforts.

Facilitated regular team meetings to align objectives and foster collaboration among staff members.

Managed budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and efficient use of resources within the county.

Developed performance metrics to evaluate departmental progress toward strategic goals effectively.

Maintained high ethical standards within county programs through rigorous oversight, regular audits and stringent personnel policies.

Provided leadership and guidance to programs, fostering a supportive work environment focused on personal growth and professional development.

Empowered employees by providing access to professional development opportunities that fostered skill enhancement and career advancement.

Enhanced interdepartmental communication by organizing monthly meetings and team-building activities.

Established an emergency management plan to ensure coordinated response efforts during natural disasters or other crises situations.

Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.

Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.

Represented organization at industry conferences and events.

Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.