Heart of Iowa expands to serve more counties in central and southwestern Iowa

If there is one thing Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) understands, it’s that all Iowans have unique needs and goals, and the way they achieve those goals is as individual as their perspectives. Our outlook on life is heavily shaped by our experiences and our community.

The first step to changing the culture around mental health and disability supports is to end the stigma against asking for help. Our community members can be powerful champions in the effort to bring the conversation of mental health and disability supports from behind closed doors to out in the open.

When we align our community behind a shared goal, we can improve our culture. That’s why we are so thrilled to bring our services and supports to even more communities. In addition to Audubon, Dallas and Guthrie counties, Heart of Iowa is now serving residents in the following counties.

• Adair
• Adams
• Clarke
• Decatur
• Lucas
• Marion
• Ringgold
• Taylor
• Union
• Wayne

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves as we continue to provide a helping heart to those we serve.

A helping heart free of judgment

HICS is a community-based mental health, disability and social services organization. We lead with the heart to connect you to services that improve your quality of life, and we also fund service providers who are experts in their field. HICS believes everyone should have access to the highest-quality care, with no exceptions. If you need help with a challenge that seems too big for just one person or you have a need you don’t know how to fulfill, all you have to do is reach out to HICS. We’re here for you every step of the way and will find supports to fit your unique needs.

Specialized services to wrap supports around you and your loved ones

If we don’t provide the service you need, we can connect you to the experts who do. Learn more about our individual services.

Service coordination: Asking for help can be difficult enough, so we take it from there. Our service coordinators assess your needs, connect you to helpful resources and check in every step of the way.

Mental health support: Whether you’re struggling with short- or long-term mental health struggles, we can connect you to professionals in your area so seeking help and improving symptoms are manageable.

Crisis services: Mobile crisis response is available for when you or someone you know experiences a mental health crisis or simply don’t know how to move forward. Trained mobile crisis providers travel within an hour to wherever you are to de-escalate mental health issues so individuals may be able to avoid being treated in a hospital in the future and can get connected to longer-term resources.

Additionally, crisis evaluation and crisis stabilization help emergency departments and jails evaluate those experiencing a mental health crisis so that they can be served with the right resources in the right environment, potentially preventing them from being incarcerated or hospitalized.

Disability services: From service coordination to supported living and services that teach life and career skills, we offer supports that help those living with physical or intellectual disabilities thrive, not just survive. HICS also helps connect people to careers and educates employers on how to support employees with disabilities.

Children’s services: HICS leads with compassion and full-service coordination to get at the heart of what may be holding our kids, teens and families back from being their happiest and healthiest. Through our variety of mental health, disability and other supports, we can lead kids to successful outcomes. Specifically, our Child and Adolescent Program Navigator (CAP Navigator) works with parents, schools, law enforcement organizations and other community groups to support children.

Jail alternatives: We work with the community to keep individuals out of jail and with those who can best serve their needs. We also help individuals transitioning out of incarceration get back on their feet. Additionally, our Crisis Intervention Training Co-Responder Program pairs a mental health professional with a law enforcement officer trained in crisis de-escalation to respond to mental health-related calls. The program helps keep individuals out of jail, when appropriate, and connects them to mental health supports.

Transitional living: Our supportive housing program can help individuals transition to a healthier life. All are welcome, including people who come from crisis stabilization, individuals transitioning out of incarceration and those who enter the program to reset their lives.