Iowa overhauls mental health system to seven districts
A new Iowa plan merges mental health and substance use services into seven behavioral health districts starting Tuesday. The state moves from regional to district based eligibility and billing, creating a unified behavioral health fund under the Department of Health and Human Services with defined required services and performance metrics.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kim Reynolds
House
Foundation 2 Crisis Services
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Jim Slosiarek
the Gazette
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
New Iowa Behavioral Health Districts Start July 1
Iowa will launch new behavioral health districts on July 1 to coordinate mental health and substance use disorder services across regions. The districts aim to improve access, integration, and accountability for county and community providers, with partnerships among state agencies.
Iowa adopt hands free driving law to curb phone use
Iowa will join 30 states banning any phone use not hands free starting July 1. Officers plan public education and warnings for six months before citations begin January 1. Public information officer Alex Dinkla notes the change ends gray area of texting rules and enforcement challenges.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Alex Dinkla
Iowa State Patrol
Siri
Dinkla
State Patrol
Iowa Department of Transportation
Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau
How is compost made from Cedar Rapids yard waste
Cedar Rapids residents use green YARDY carts to dispose of grass clippings peels and branches which are turned into finished compost at 2250 A St SW. Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency reports 2024 yard waste intake of 20 516 tons and 8 870 tons of screened compost distributed with totals expected similar in 2025 and large post derecho production in prior years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kelvin Bronner
Cedar Rapids
Mount Trashmore
Bronner
Linn County
Curi
Joe Horaney
Horaney
Marion
Linn County Solid Waste Agency
Nick Rohlman
the Gazette
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Tom Barton
Gazette
Des Moines
New Iowa
Behavioral Health Districts
Rapids
Gazette Map
Emily Andersen
Bailey Cichon
Ous
Jee Horaney
Compost
Lowa