CICS and Eyerly Ball to Launch New Mobile Crisis Response Services

CICS and its partner organization Eyerly Ball Mental Health Services announced today they will provide new mobile crisis response services for central Iowans in the CICS region struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and other mental illnesses. The mobile crisis response team is hopeful to begin operation in March, responding to and remaining with callers in a crisis. This frees up local police forces to continue their patrols on the streets of the communities they serve to protect.

In collaboration with Foundation 2, the Cedar Rapids-based organization operating CICS’s 24-hour Central Iowa Crisis Line (844-258-8858), the mobile crisis response team will operate 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, with no less than two providers, trained according to requirements of Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 24. This means when someone calls the Central Iowa Crisis Line, a phone attendant will determine if the caller needs in-person, preventive care and dispatch a response team to the caller’s location within the hour.

“This is huge for the CICS region’s residents who may need crisis services at any hour of the day,” said CICS CEO Jody Eaton. “Right now, that responsibility falls on local police officers who can’t always stay by someone’s side throughout the night as they deal with their crisis. Having a trained team respond and coordinate care for individuals in need will be critical for improving mental health services in central Iowa.” 

CICS put out a request for proposal in 2017 for its providers to bid on the program. In late 2017, Eyerly Ball was chosen as the provider to administer the program, and a goal of initiating operations in March 2018 was set. Krystina Engle was named director of crisis services, overseeing the new effort and implementing its launch.

“We’re so excited to begin offering this crucial service to central Iowans,” Engle said. “Our trained staff are ready to hit the ground running, responding to individuals in need 24-7 and making our communities safer and healthier for all.”

Members of the media are invited to attend the first informational session about the mobile crisis response team on Wednesday, February 21 in the Inservice Room of the Skiff Medical Center in Newton, IA at 3:00 p.m. CICS CEO Jody Eaton will be available to answer any questions. Please RSVP to Reid Chandler at (563) 607-7887 or rchandler@trilixgroup.com.