Mental Health Resources

This Mental Health Resource page has been thoughtfully curated to support pediatricians, parents, and caregivers with reliable, practical information on statewide mental health resources and services. Its purpose is to provide easy access to evidence-based guidance, tools, and educational materials that can be used both in clinical settings and at home. By bringing together trusted resources in one place, we aim to strengthen partnerships between healthcare providers and families, promote informed decision-making, and ultimately help children thrive in every stage of development.

For Pediatricians and other Child Health Professionals:

The following cultivated list was curated by IA AAP members to support child health professionals in their work to care for the children and families in our state.

• Mental Health Toolkit: this toolkit was created by Dr. Amy Shriver and Dr. Michael Colburn for pediatricians with various local, statewide, and national resources on adolescent mental health. Last updated in 2020.
• Iowa Pediatric Mental Health Collaborative: The goal of the Iowa Pediatric Mental Health Collaborative is to increase access to pediatric mental health services through workforce development, access to resources, and telehealth-based behavioral health integration into pediatric primary care in Iowa. The PMHC offers the following services and resources:
  • Webinars
  • Therapy Trainings
  • Telehealth
  • Complex Care Clinic
  • Welltrack Connect
  • UI Consult: Any Iowa provider can consult with a University of Iowa Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-322-8442.
• Scanlan School for Mental Health: Referrals are available for caregivers, teachers, students, and self referral for 18+ students. Services are available in-person and virtual.
  • Individual Counseling
  • Group Counseling
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Specialty Evaluations
  • Post-Crisis Counseling
• 1st Five Referral Process - new referral form coming soon! 1st Five covers 88 counties and works in tandem with pediatricians to screen children for developmental, social-emotional, and family needs, connects families to services, and Development Support Specialists ensure follow-through and update providers.
• Center for Disabilities and Development:
  • Clinical Services: Audiology, Dentistry, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Education, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Social Services, Speech-Language Pathology
  • Our teams work with patients who have: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Cognitive Disorders, Communication Disorders, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Spina Bifida
• Regional Autism Assistance Program (RAP)
  • RAP teams screen for ASD risk and connect families to diagnostic services.
  • Provide care coordination and family-to-family support for ages 0–21.
  • Teams include Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, and Family Navigators who link families to local services based on their needs and goals.
• ChildServe: Medical Childcare program that offers specialized weekday care for children and young adults with significant medical needs and developmental delays. The program includes on-site therapy services like physical, occupational, and speech therapy in Ames and Des Moines and Complex Care Clinic in Johnston.
• Trauma-Informed Care (3R's): Reassure, Return to Routine, and Regulate. Linked is the AAP infographic.

For Parents and Caregivers

• Scanlan Center for School Mental Health: Referrals are available for caregivers, teachers, students, and self referral for 18+ students. Services are available in-person and virtual.
  • Individual Counseling
  • Group Counseling
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Specialty Evaluations
  • Post-Crisis Counseling
• ChildServe - Specialized weekday care for children and young adults with medical needs and developmental delays. Additional services include on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy in Ames and Des Moines location and access to Complex Care Clinic in Johnston.
• ASK Resource Center: ASK (Access for Special Kids) Resource Center is a parent training, information, and advocacy center for families of children with special needs across the state of Iowa.
• Hands & Voices Iowa H&V is a parent-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They are unbiased about communication and believe that families will make the best choices for their child. It is a safe place to explore options, get support, learn from one another and share what we have in common, and honor the role of parents and family as the single greatest factor in raising a WASK, (Well Adjusted Successful Kid).
• COMING SOON - Booklist focused on mental health and social emotional learning for Preschool, Middle School / Tweens, and High School / Teens.