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Robert Young Center Expanding Mental Health Services in Iowa

UnityPoint Health Trinity

After a successful year in the Illinois-Quad Cities, a local hospital wants to expand mental health services to the Iowa side. Yesterday, UnityPoint Health-Trinity was awarded a $3 million contract to expand programs now offered by the Robert Young Center in Rock Island.

Sarah Ritter has the story.
Summary

UnityPoint President and CEO, Rick Seidlersays last year, the center opened a "crisis stabilization" unit in Rock Island. It was part of a new model, meant to provide mental health patients with an alternative to emergency rooms and psychiatric wards, when it's appropriate. 


Since it opened, the average number of patients staying at the crisis center has dropped from 20 to 17. He says that's because patients that don't need the higher level of care, are no longer staying at the center. 

But on the Iowa side, there are fewer programs for these patients. Seidler says the money will help implement a similar system for residents in Scott, Muscatine, Clinton, Jackson, and Cedar counties. 

In addition, the Robert Young Center plans to start a 24-hour crisis hotline, have a mental health professional available at all times in emergency rooms, and require more follow-up visits for patients.