Spencer, Iowa — The organization that provides leadership and management for the regional system of care for mental health and disability services for six northwest Iowa counties has switched providers for their crisis line.
Northwest Iowa Care Connections serves residents of Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Palo Alto Counties. They report that they have recently switched providers for the region’s 24/7 crisis phone line from Foundation 2 in Cedar Rapids to Spencer-based Seasons Center for Behavioral Health.
Bill Leupold, Northwest Iowa Care Connections’ Goverance Board Chair and the official spokesperson for the region, says that the Regional Governance Board felt that the $60,000 annual cost of Foundation 2’s service was exorbitant for the number of calls received by Foundation 2.
Northwest Iowa Care Connections Region Chief Executive Officer Kim Wilson says that Seasons Center, as a private, non-profit organization, provides a safe, confidential option for people to seek assistance with social, emotional, behavioral and family issues. Since a crisis can come in many forms, Seasons Center seeks to empower people to develop their own skills and confidence in meeting life’s challenges.
Leupold says that there should be no impact to those who call the crisis line as the phone number will remain the same, the only difference being the clients will now be speaking with Seasons Center personnel.
They say the Northwest Iowa Care Connections toll free crisis line,( 844-345-4569) is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year with Seasons Center, whose emergency services are accredited by the Iowa Department of Human Services Chapter 24. Callers can expect to receive assistance from trained staff who help to develop a collaborative safety plan, arrange follow-up, and make referrals to local providers as needed.
