Polk County Health Services launches Children’s Mental Health Crisis Services

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Polk County families will soon have more mental health resources for children, KCCI reported. Polk County Health Services on Wednesday announced the launch of its Children’s Mental Health Crisis Services, which will offer families two options to help stabilize a child in need. One option keeps a child in the safety of their own house to receive therapy for up to five days, while a second option provides five days of services at Easterseals Camp Sunnyside for more serious cases. Both options are alternatives to treatment in a hospital psychiatric unit or emergency room. According to county officials, children will be assessed by the county’s mobile crisis team or urgent care clinics to determine what option fits best. A new law signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds requires all counties in Iowa to develop crisis plans for children by July 1. Additional information can be found on this page on the Polk County Health Services website.