Focuss

F OCUSS is excited to announce that we are actively accepting referrals for Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS) for youth and families throughout our community.

As we continue building a comprehensive continuum of care, we are encouraging schools, parents, healthcare providers, juvenile justice professionals, community organizations, and referral partners to consider FOCUSS for BHIS services. Our goal is to connect youth with support early, helping them develop skills, build resilience, and address challenges before they become crises.

While FOCUSS offers a wide range of services—including therapy, counseling, mobile crisis response, and our Youth Crisis Observation Center—our current focus is expanding access to BHIS services and ensuring youth receive individualized support in their homes, schools, and communities.

Our BHIS team works directly with youth and families to improve communication, coping skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving abilities, and overall behavioral health outcomes. We believe that early intervention and consistent support can significantly reduce the need for more intensive services later.

By providing BHIS, therapy, counseling, mobile crisis response, and crisis observation services under one organization, FOCUSS is creating a seamless system of care that allows youth and families to receive support at every stage of need.

We are committed to serving all communities, building strong relationships with youth and families, and becoming a trusted resource that youth can turn to before a crisis occurs.

Referrals are now being accepted. If you know a youth or family who may benefit from BHIS services, please contact FOCUSS to learn more about eligibility, services, and referral options.

Contact: Evan Bond, Behavioral Health Director

[email protected]

📧 [email protected]

Together, we can provide the support youth need today while helping prevent crises tomorrow.

🙏🏾In Memory of Scott Johnson🙏🏾

The family of Scott Johnson, who tragically passed away from a drug overdose, has donated a Naloxone box to the FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center in Newton, Iowa.

This donation was made in partnership with Steps of Hope Iowa, an organization known for its dedication to supporting families who have lost loved ones to overdose and substance use disorders. Together with FOCUSS, they continue to work toward saving lives and supporting individuals and families affected by addiction.

The Naloxone box will be installed outside the FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center and will be available for public use. Its purpose is simple but powerful: to help save lives by providing immediate access to Naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and give someone a second chance.

Scott’s family remembers him as a caring and loving person who was always there for his nieces, nephews, and family members. They shared that he always had positive and encouraging words for those around him and that he is deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Scott’s family and to Steps of Hope Iowa for their generosity, compassion, and commitment to helping others. Their support strengthens the fight against addiction and overdose and helps bring hope to those who may be struggling.

Addiction is a disease that affects families and communities across Iowa and beyond. By working together, supporting one another, and making life-saving resources available, we can help prevent future tragedies.

Every life matters. Every person matters. Together, we can save lives and honor Scott’s memory by continuing the fight against this disease. ❤️
Steps of Hope Iowa

While preparing the new Youth Crisis Center in Newton, we came across several Elk’s Lodge jackets with members’ names on them.

We understand that these jackets may hold special memories and sentimental value for the individuals who owned them or their loved ones. We would like to help reunite these items with their rightful owners or family members.

If you believe one of these jackets belongs to you or a family member, please contact us. We simply ask that anyone claiming a jacket provide some form of proof or identification so we can ensure the items are returned to the correct person.

Please feel free to share this post to help us reach former members and their families. We would love to see these meaningful items returned to the people they belong to.

Thank you for helping us spread the word.