Youth and Families Mobile Crisis Intervention for Rural Communities

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

Iowa Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health and Independent Child Advocate Services will work with local law enforcement agencies to provide crisis intervention services to youth and families in rural communities within Iowa. Local immediate response teams will be available on a 24-hour basis to intervene, assess, facilitate, and access community-based mental health resources for youth and their families. Project goals are to: 1) provide a comprehensive and coordinated system of care for youth and their families; 2) reduce the negative consequences for youth with mental health and behavioral health problems; 3) increase the stability of youth with complex needs; 4) improve peer relationships among middle and high school students; and, 5) increase community support for families of youth with complex needs.

CA/NCF