Hundreds of Iowa kids wait for mental health care

Polk County is considering new ways to fill a mental health care shortage that has left hundreds of children waiting for services — many for more than a year.

Why it matters: Delays in assistance for children can prolong suffering, contribute to health issues and potentially hamper their long-term development.

Driving the news: Supervisors are considering a retention and recruitment program for mental health professionals who agree to work in the county for multiple years.

• Student loan repayment and other financial incentives are possible.

Zoom in: A group of eight mental health care providers in Polk County told supervisors in a meeting last month that they've been struggling to manage worker shortages and an increased need for services, particularly among children, during the pandemic.

• More than 550 kids seeking help from ChildServe in Johnston are on a waiting list for psychologists and 200 for mental health therapy, said Teri Wahlig, CEO of ChildServe.
• Dozens more wait for services at other ChildServe locations across the state, spokesperson Jordan Juhl told Axios.
• Children often wait more than a year for services, Juhl said.

Flashback: The state's mental health system was strained prior to the pandemic, according to health care advocates. Many providers were at times forced to turn away both children and adults for a variety of reasons, including capacity limits.

• Mobile crisis response teams and 24-hour hotlines were set up or expanded in the last three years following state and local efforts to alleviate the pressures.

The big picture: States across the country are struggling with mental health care worker shortages, with just under 30% of need being met nationally, according to an analysis published in September by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

• Other governments are also considering action, including California, where $37,000 in stipends could be made available to students pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

What's next: Polk County may use some of the $195 million it has allocated in federal pandemic assistance to offer incentives.

• A formal proposal that will include program guidelines is expected in coming weeks, Supervisors Chairperson Angela Connolly told Axios.