On December 13, 2024, Iowa Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) announced the selection of the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) to serve in a statewide capacity as the Administrative Service Organization for the state’s redesigned Behavioral Health System. Operational go-live for this new system remains on-track for July 1, 2025.
Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BH-ASOs) are responsible for ensuring all Iowans have clear, consistent pathways to care and the support they need within each behavioral health district. They will do this by instilling a unified operational approach for each of the seven districts. Additionally, they will meet regularly with local leaders, school officials, law enforcement, health care providers and public health professionals to discuss behavioral health needs at a local level and ensure the state’s Behavioral Health Service System is adapting and meeting those needs.
The Iowa PCA is recognized as a national leader in health information technology, value-based care partnerships, quality improvement, organizational change management, and systems change. As the statewide ASO, the Iowa PCA will draw upon these competencies and experiences and continue to seek input from local stakeholders to inform their approach to system redesign efforts and to ensure a smooth transition to the new model. We are prepared and excited to partner with Iowa HHS, behavioral health districts, providers and stakeholders to realize Iowa’s vision as the national leader in behavioral health service delivery.
Iowa’s Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BH-ASO) District Advisory Council Application
About the Application
The Iowa Primary Care Association is accepting applications for the District Advisory Councils. Each council shall consist of 10 members as defined in Iowa Code 225.A.5. The initial application deadline is February 13, 2025, but may be extended.
Per Iowa Code 225.A.5. the responsibilities of the District Advisory Councils include the following:
- Identify opportunities and address challenges based on updates received from the ASO regarding the implementation of the district behavioral health plan.
- Advise the ASO while the ASO is developing BH policies.
- Advise the ASO on how to best provide access to BH prevention, education, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, and crisis services related to mental health and addictive disorders, including but not limited to alcohol use, substance use, tobacco use, and problem gambling, throughout the district.
Additional information about District Advisory Council member terms and meetings will be shared as part of the applicant process. Initial District Advisory Council meetings will be held in March or April 2025.
How to Apply
Update: The application process will be open through Tuesday, February 25. Questions? Contact .
About the BH-ASO and Behavioral Health System Redesign
Iowa Health and Human Services
More information can be found on the Iowa Health and Human Services' Behavioral Health Service System website.
Town Halls
Iowa HHS will host monthly Behavioral Health Town Halls with the Iowa PCA on the last Thursday of each month at 4pm CT.
If you'd like to be added for all of the town halls, sign up here.
Questions and More Information
Please contact the following based upon your engagement with the system:
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Have questions about Iowa's Behavioral Health Service System? Submit your questions here.
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Questions for the Iowa PCA (BH-ASO), email .
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