Children's Services

Through the Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) Child and Adolescent Program Navigator (CAPN), we work closely with parents, schools, law enforcement organizations and other community groups to support the children of Audubon, Dallas and Guthrie counties. Our staff can provide resources for individual or family therapy, substance abuse treatment, crisis stabilization, medication management and other community support.

Inside Out Wellness & Advocacy 

To maximize our connections and support in the area to better help youth and their families, HICS has partnered with Inside Out Wellness & Advocacy. Inside Out’s highly trained staff provides a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Co-Responder Program and a Mobile Crisis Response Team for children while partnering with community members and local regions to offer services at no cost to people of all backgrounds.

Inside Out’s CIT Program partners mental health professionals and first responders to best identify, de-escalate and navigate a mental health crisis. With this approach, individuals in need are less likely to be sent to jail because they are evaluated and connected to services that assist them in moving forward with life. This program is active within the police jurisdictions of Urbandale, Waukee, Clive and West Des Moines.

The Mobile Crisis Response Team provides emergency crisis assessment and intervention services. By sending a trained mental health professional to meet you wherever you are, they can provide the appropriate crisis response in a familiar environment. The Mobile Crisis Response Team and CIT assists in referring children to appropriate services such as crisis stabilization with community partners. 

Located in Woodward, Iowa, at the former Safe Harbor facility, Inside Out can be reached 24/7 by calling 844-428-3878. Visit InsideOutIowa.com for more information.

Resource referral and prevention

Developmental milestones, trauma and environmental stressors can all affect the mental health of children and teens. No matter the need, we can connect your child and family to programs and providers close to home that help resolve and prevent mental health issues.

Service coordination

Long-term mental health issues require coordinated care. We work alongside families as they require changes in services and navigate insurance processes. In some cases, we may provide funding.

Education

We partner with local schools and providers to ensure children have access to therapists through their school districts. Additionally, HICS organizes hands-on educational opportunities within schools to teach children and teens about common mental health symptoms and struggles.

For example, 13 of our employees are certified in the Notice. Talk. Act.^® at School program through the American Psychiatric Association Foundation.

While school counselors are an amazing resource for kids and families, they cannot be the only ones responsible for recognizing and championing the mental health of kids in our schools. From janitorial to food service staff, teachers to bus drivers, our community’s schools are filled with amazing people who care about kids.

 This program equips staff in any role to know what to do if they notice a change in a child's demeanor or behaviors that differs from their usual interactions. HICS can help train school staff. Reach out about the Notice. Talk. Act. at School certification here.

We also help the following organizations.

Iowa's Area Education Agencies

Choice Charter School

DMACC YouthBuild