Behavioral Health Services Update

Dear Community Partners and Stakeholders,

We want to share an important update regarding the future of behavioral health services at YSS. As of July 1, 2025, YSS will be sunsetting our Psychiatric Medication Management (PMM) program. This decision aligns with changes in Iowa’s behavioral health system, including the growth of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), which are designed to provide more integrated and accessible care.

Although July 1 marks the start of the transition, it is not the end of services. The Psychiatric Medication Management program will continue to operate fully through July 31, 2025. During this time, our team is actively working with clients to ensure continuity of care, including helping each person identify and connect with a new provider. For those needing medication refills, we are reviewing all prescriptions and will assist clients in securing an appropriate medication supply before the program concludes. Following July 31, YSS will maintain limited provider availability through mid-October, focused solely on emergency support and helping any remaining clients finalize their transition to new care providers.

This shift reflects a broader statewide effort to streamline and enhance access to integrated behavioral health services. In our region, Eyerly Ball and Prairie Ridge have been designated as CCBHCs and will serve as the primary referral sources for clients transitioning from YSS’s PMM program. These organizations are equipped to deliver a wide range of behavioral health services under the new model, and we are working closely with them to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for our clients.

At YSS, this change allows us to focus more deeply on our core strengths: substance use prevention, education, residential treatment, counseling, and intensive outpatient programming (IOP). This renewed focus is already evident in our significant investment in the Ember Recovery Campus, which is designed to deliver the highest quality care and outcomes for youth and families.

We are proud of the impact the PMM program has had and are equally excited about the opportunity to amplify our efforts where we can make the greatest difference. Our team remains fully committed to supporting every client through this transition and continuing to serve the community with compassion, innovation, and excellence.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we embrace this new chapter in behavioral health care.

A Changing Landscape in Behavioral Health

These local changes are happening as part of a larger shift in how behavioral health services are delivered across Iowa. To learn more about these statewide efforts and their timing, visit the Iowa HHS CCBHC page and the Behavioral Health Service System Alignment initiative.