Welcome to the March 2024 edition of the Southwest Iowa MHDS Regional Newsletter. In this edition we will discuss the Crisis Access Network Dashboard. The Region will also share important information about Anywhere Crisis Care for Children, a new service that is starting this month. Finally, the Region is celebrating Social Work Month in March.

The above dashboard represents Mental Health Crisis Response Team (MHCRT) data. MHCRT is just one of the many services within the Crisis Access Network (CAN). MHCRT, is contracted through Heartland Family Service. MHCRT serves both adults and children providing effective and timely connection to community-based services or to a higher level of crisis care when appropriate.

The above dashboard represents Crisis Stabilization Services data. This currently represents 3 services within the CAN. Harbor Point (CSRS), HFS Bridges Crisis Care (CSRS) and Anywhere Crisis Care (CSCBS).

Crisis Stabilization Residential Service (CSRS) is offered by two providers within the region. Harbor Point (located in Clarinda) is contracted through Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services. Bridges Crisis Care (located in Council Bluffs) is contracted through Heartland Family Services. Both offer a 24-hour safe place providing psychiatric stabilization and case management for individuals 18 years and older experiencing a mental health crisis who don’t meet criteria for hospitalization. The programs strive to stabilize clients and assist them in returning to the community where they live. When staff are available, Harbor Point can provide transportation to clients referred/accepted into their program. The length of stay is expected to be three to five days and is completely voluntary.

Heartland Family Service Crisis Stabilization Community-Based Services (CSCBS) “Anywhere Crisis Care” began operations in January 2023. Anywhere Crisis Care provides crisis stabilization services to adults 18 years and older experiencing crisis in order to help them stabilize and remain within the community they live. This service is provided in the client’s home or community rather than a residential setting. Heartland Family Service CSCBS team provides access to psychiatric care, medication, therapy, outside resources and peer support to help in the client’s journey. The duration of this service is three to five days and is completely voluntary. 

The above dashboard represents Crisis Service Coordination data. This is a short term (30 day) service provided by region service coordination to link individuals to services in their community.

Southwest Iowa MHDS Region is helping celebrate this year’s Social Work Month in March with the theme “Empowering Social Workers!” to highlight the invaluable contributions social workers make in our society.