Iowa nonprofit awarded $2.7M grant to expand mental health services

(ABC 6 News) – The Iowa Economic Development recently announced that 43 North Iowa was awarded a $2.7 million grant from the Iowa Nonprofit Innovation Fund.

43 North Iowa, was the result of a merger two years ago between North Iowa Vocational Center Services and the North Iowa Transition Center (NITC), both of Mason City.

The nonprofit aims to help northern Iowans with disabilities establish meaningful community involvement through employment, community engagement, and participation.

The grant money will help with the expansion of residential care and crisis stabilization services in Mason City.

It includes the acquisition of an existing commercial building in downtown Mason City at 300 N. Washington.

The building will be remodeled into a 15 residential care bed facility to provide transitional mental health services from 90 days to 9 months, and create a new service, Crisis Stabilization with a 5-bed area to address the immediate and urgent needs of people with acute mental health crises.

The total project cost is estimated at $4.47 million.

According to 43 North Iowa executive director John Derryberry, “43 North Iowa is excited to receive the innovation grant funding to expand our Residential Care Facility capacity and bring Crisis Stabilization Services to the area. This is a big first step to the completion of that goal, but we are not across the finish line yet. We want to thank the area agencies that supported our grant application. Finding solutions to make our community safer and more inclusive for our most vulnerable neighbors is a win for all North Iowa.”

A total of $40 million from the Iowa Nonprofit Innovation Fund has been directed to 24 infrastructure projects across Iowa that will enable nonprofits to expand services and help more Iowans.

Eligible expenses for infrastructure projects include construction costs, acquisition, site development, engineering, and architectural services. Funding for this grant opportunity was made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

To learn more about the award recipients, CLICK HERE.