October 2021 Edition
Crisis Response News and More
Welcome to the October 2021 edition of the Southwest Iowa MHDS Regional Newsletter. In this edition we will announce the winner of the Region's Promotional Committee drawing. We will also share information about the Region's Annual Fall Staff Retreat.
Southwest Iowa MHDS Region: Promotional Committee
The Region is excited to announce the winner of the Region's Promotional Committee Drawing that ended 9/30/21.

Dena Briones was the winner. She was awarded a fun fall basket (picture below) that also contained Regional promotional items. Dena faithfully reads the Region's newsletter each month. She entered the drawing and displayed the Region's flyer at her agency. She also encouraged others to enter the drawing.

Dena is employed by West Central Community Action as their Outreach Director/FaDSS Specialist in Shelby County.

The Region developed the Promotional Committee in July 2021 to help promote the work we have been doing for the past 7 years and help local individuals/families know how to contact us for help. Please continue to help us promote the Region by displaying the flyer below.

Thank you for your continued support of the Southwest Iowa MHDS Region as we continue to expand and grow services to better serve our clients and families.
Promotional Committee Prize Basket
Dena Briones
Outreach Director/FaDSS Specialist
West Central Community Action
p (712) 755-5602 | f (712) 755-2714
1017 7th Street | Harlan IA 51537 | westcentralca.org
Region's Promotional Flyer

Region's Fall Retreat
The Region recently had our Annual Fall Staff Retreat at Arrowhead Park in Pottawattamie County.

The majority of our staff were able to attend. Much of the day, activities focused on team building and self care for behavioral health professionals.

Given the Region’s recent expansion into children’s services, the educational portion of the retreat focused on learning about services available to youth with behavioral challenges through Green Hills Area Education Agency. Teena Seguin, Mental Health School Social Worker, educated staff on School-Based Therapy Services. Michelle Custer, Consultant Special Education, provided an overview of the referral process and services offered by the Challenging Behaviors Team. Steve McPhillips, School-Based Interventionist Program Supervisor, shared the broad scope of services provided by the School-Based Interventionist Program. Staff came away with an understanding of school-based services available to youth and identified a valuable partnership to meet the behavioral health needs of children. 
We are grateful to Green Hills Area Education Agency for opportunity to learn about their services.

This was a day to give thanks to our staff and all the work they do to help others in the community.

A big thank you to our Regional Social Committee who organized this educational retreat.
[Region Staff]
The SWIA MHDS Region's Crisis Stabilization Services

Mental Health Crisis Response Team


Provides multiple crisis service

Precommital screening for residents of the SWIA Region

Assessments for court ordered committals

Telehealth Crisis Response available to SWIA Region residents. Services include assessment, stabilization and referrals to community services. This service can only be initiated by Law Enforcement

These services are expanding into all counties in the Region

For further information, Law Enforcement can contact Jenny Stewart (Director) at 712-325-5619

"To avoid the need for an Emergency Protective Custody hold or inpatient psychiatric hospitalization"

Service provided by Heartland Family Service

Harbor Point Crisis Stabilization Residential Service (CSRS)



Call 712-303-7066 to make a referral

Referrals accepted 24 hours a day

A screening set up within 24 hours

Accepts referrals from friends, family, emergency departments and outpatient providers

Accepts referrals from Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties

"Provides a safe, caring, and home-like environment to those with a mental illness in crisis while modeling skills needed to successfully navigate in the community"




Service provided by Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services
Call (844) 673-4469 for help and support

Crisis line available 24/7, toll free and confidential

Connects individuals in crisis to a helping hand and the resources to address and improve mental wellness

Anyone can call, including service providers on behalf of clients and patients

For residents of Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties

"Improving mental wellness, hope and outcomes for residents of Southwest Iowa in times of crisis"




Service operated by Boys Town