Iowa Revamps Behavioral Health Services: What You Need to Know About the New Government Reorganization Plan

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KGAN) — Changes are coming to Iowa’s Behavioral Health Services as part of Governor Reynolds’ plan to merge state agencies.

The state is launching a new system to improve mental health services, especially where they are most needed. Iowa currently has fewer mental health providers compared to the national average. A report by Health Management Associates highlighted the behavioral health department as an area needing improvement.

The plan will combine Iowa’s 32 separate mental health and substance use service providers into one system. This effort aims to enhance the distribution and availability of these services across the state.

Mae Hingtgen, CEO of Eastern Central Region’s Mental Health and Disability Services, supports this initiative. She points out that many individuals facing mental health challenges also struggle with substance use. “About 77% of people with brain health issues also have substance concerns,” she explained. Combining policies and funding makes sense for Iowa.

The new approach will restructure the state’s services from 11 regions into 7 districts. Each district will cover around 14 counties and include a disability access point to help Iowans connect with needed services.

These access points will play a crucial role. They will provide information, referral services, options counseling, short-term supports, and access to long-term services. However, this plan also means the loss of four sites that previously offered similar services and the elimination of regional coordinators who helped both adults and children.

Hingtgen expressed concern about the job losses, stating, “It’s tough to inform 34 staff members that they will be laid off.” Overall, up to 200 jobs statewide might be affected by these changes.

While Iowa’s Health and Human Services claims that services will remain unchanged during the transition, Hingtgen believes the success of this new system will depend on how well it is implemented in the coming years. “It will really depend on how we transition successfully and have the right partners involved,” she noted.

Iowa’s News Now has reached out to the state’s Health and Human Services for comments but has only received redirects to their website.