43 North Iowa announced that they rolled out a new mental health service in late December. This program was created through a partnership with Central Iowa Community Services (CICS).
“This program allows us to support people who are here now in north Iowa. Providing a continuum of care helps nonprofit organizations in the area. Providing the right service to the right people frees other organizations to do the same,” said John Derryberry, Executive Director.
The IRSH home will serve adults with severe and persistent mental illness conditions who have functional impairments. Intensive support may be the answer for people who have a tough time finding the right fit for support services.
A participant’s length of stay in the program will be determined on an individual basis with the goal of living in the most inclusive setting.
Staff members have been given highly skilled training to meet the needs of clients. This training will continue for several years and be passed on to new employees.
Clients will have opportunities for employment, job development, and other community activities such as day habilitation and vocational or pre-vocational activities. This is the same for all people in any 43 North Iowa service. There is no wrong door. You can access any service from any program.
43 North Iowa developed a four bed Intensive Residential Service Home known as IRSH. Eligible participants will be accepted into the program according to the requirements of No Reject, No Eject per Iowa Code. Intensive care will be provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on a highly individualized basis.
IRSH has a standard that any person who experiences homelessness for longer than 45 days and has a mental health diagnosis gets admitted and cannot be turned away if there is an opening.
For more information contact John Derryberry, Executive Director at 641-424-8708.
