Polk county, iowa in partnership with broadlawns medical center, has been a leader in developing and implementing supports for community members experiencing a crisis

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $750,000 Project Grant under the Congressionally Recommended Awards program (CFDA 16.753) to Polk County, Iowa, in partnership with Broadlawns Medical Center. The grant will fund the establishment of a comprehensive behavioral health crisis services hub in Des Moines, Iowa, which will offer a range of critical support and intervention programs.

The key services to be provided under this grant include a triage/assessment center to determine the appropriate level of care, a behavioral health urgent care clinic, a crisis observation center, a crisis stabilization center, and a sobering center for individuals experiencing the effects of alcohol or substance abuse. The project also includes community navigation services to connect individuals to necessary social services. Trained medical personnel will ensure the clinical safety of individuals during the sobering process. This collaborative effort aims to provide therapeutic alternatives to incarceration for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises and to enhance community-based crisis response capabilities in Polk County.

For over 20 years, a mobile crisis team has assisted law enforcement with behavioral health calls. A crisis observation center provides a therapeutic alternative for individuals in crisis instead of the jail. The crisis stabilization center is available for those who need up to 5 days of support. Behavioral health urgent care is for individuals who need quick access to a prescriber or therapist. Along with these alternatives, crisis intervention team training is available to all local law enforcement departments. Polk county is now creating a premiere location that welcomes our adult community members who need a safe place for behavioral health assistance in partnership with broadlawns medical center, city of DES moines and ST. Vincent DE paul. This location will offer triage/assessment, community navigation, crisis observation center, behavioral health urgent care, and thesobering center. The triage/assessment determines what level of care is needed for everyone who enters the welcoming environment. Levels of care include behavioral health urgent care, crisis observation center, community-based crisis stabilization, the crisis stabilization center or subacute center. Community navigation provides warm hand-offs to community-based services and resources. In addition to the listed services, sobering services will be available for adult individuals throughout polk county who are experiencing the effects of alcohol and/or substance overuse. The sobering center services are characterized as a very safe place to sober up where individuals can stay an average of four to six hours while engaging in the sobering process. The goal will be to provide an environment in which individuals can allow the effects of chemical intoxicants to abate and to regain their functionality, and a point of intervention for the individual. A convenient drop off for law enforcement will allow a quicker return to their work and a reduction in sobering at the jail. These services are expected to serve as a therapeutic alternative to incarceration. Trained paramedics and EMT personnel will ensure the individuals clinical safety during the sobering process. Community navigators will be a point of engagement to assist individuals in obtaining needed social services such as food, clothing, shelter and employment. A sense of community and support will welcome those who would like to move towards recovery.