Social and Mental Health Services

Northwest Iowa Care Connections

Northwest Iowa Care Connections exists to support improved access to behavioral healthcare through local resources to promote full citizenship for people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.

Contact:

Marlee Christoffel
mchristoffel@nwiacc.org

Or

Intake
intake@nwiacc.org

24-hour Crisis Line: 844-345-4569

Address: 215 West 4th St, Suite 6, Spencer, IA, 51301

Phone: (712) 264-3945

Northwest Iowa Care Connections Website

Upper Des Moines Opportunity

Address: 1672 Northwest Blvd., Sibley, IA 51249

Phone: (712) 754-2573

Fax: (712) 754-3387

Office Hours: 8am-4pm M, W, F (Closed 12:00-12:30 for Lunch)

Food bank hours: 9am-3pm on M, W, F (donations welcome)

Upper Des Moines Opportunity Website
Upper Des Moines Opportunity Food Bank info

Dept. of Human Services (For Any Federal Assistance)

  • Medicaid
  • EBT
  • Title XIX

Contact DHS:

Address: 160 2nd St. SE, Primghar, IA 51245

Phone: (800) 392-3895

By Appointment Only

DHS Website

ATLAS of Osceola County

ATLAS Group is a Christ-centered service organization birthed from the original ATLAS ministry in Sioux Center, IA. Its purpose is to help serve, equip and connect other individuals and communities who desire to touch lives for Christ through the ATLAS model.

Address: 955 2nd Ave. Sibley, IA 51249

Phone: (712) 754-4311

Fax: (712) 754-4337

Email: atlasoco@hickorytech.net

Atlas
Atlas Website

General Relief

Osceola County General Assistance shall be provided to residents of this county as mandated by the Iowa Code. To qualify, one must be a resident of Osceola County, be at least 18 years of age and meet current income and resource guidelines.

Contact General Relief:

Laurie Ruf
c/o Osceola County Auditor’s Office

Address: 300 7th Street, Sibley, IA 51249

Phone: 712-754-2241

Food Banks

Ocheyedan: Held the first Wednesday of the month from 10am-noon and 5-7pm. Come to the Ocheyedan United Methodist Church, or make an appointment. Donations accepted at the Ocheyedan UMC. Call 712-758-3152. Open to everyone!

Sibley:

Assistance available

Iowa Housing Authority Programs:

  • Assistance for Renters: https://www.iowafinance.com/renter-programs/
  • Assistance for Homeowners: The Iowa Homeowner Eviction Prevention Program will reopen to provide eligible COVID-19 impacted homeowners at imminent risk of eviction with mortgage assistance for up to four months, with a maximum assistance per household of $3,600. The short-term program will be available until funds are exhausted or a new federal program is launched. Program funding is provided through federal CARES Act funds.
  • For additional information and to apply, visit iowahousingrecovery.com.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program:

  • The program helps qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing.
  • Eligibility is based on household size and income.
  • To find your local agency, you may call 2-1-1, visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply, or contact the Iowa Department of Human Rights at (515) 281-3861 or 1-800-351-4659. LIHEAP information is available in multiple languages on the Department's website.

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program

  • The new federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) will provide assistance in the form of benefit payments made directly to water vendors on behalf of households for past-due charges, fees, and taxes for drinking and wastewater services.  The program will be administered by the Iowa Department of Human Rights and locally through Iowa’s Community Action Agencies that serve all 99 counties.
  • Iowans may apply by contacting their local Community Action Agency starting October 8, 2021. To locate the agency nearest you, please visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply or call the Iowa Department of Human Rights at 515-242-3861.
  • Program eligibility mirrors that of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), meaning applicants must qualify to receive federal LIHEAP benefits, total household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and a current water crisis must be present.
  • The application period is open year-round.  LIHWAP will run through September 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.
  • To learn more about LIHWAP, visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/lihwap or contact your local community action agency.