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Polk County’s New Sobering Center Wins Federal Funding
The Polk County Life Services Center, the county’s first sobering facility, is set to open its doors this fall following a $750,000 investment from the federal government. As construction progresses, the center will also include a psychiatric urgent care unit and provide vital crisis intervention services for individuals facing mental health emergencies.
This funding was secured by U.S. Representative Zach Nunn through the Community Project Funding initiative, a process that enables lawmakers to earmark financial resources for locally defined priorities within the federal budget.
During a recent press conference alongside officials from Polk County and Des Moines, Nunn emphasized the significance of this community resource. “This center will help divert intoxicated individuals and those in mental health crises away from jails and emergency rooms, steering them towards the assistance they truly need,” he stated.
Nunn highlighted the economic advantages of rehabilitation over incarceration, noting that the costs associated with jail can reach thousands, while sobriety programs can be funded at just $13 a day. “Investing in recovery not only supports individuals but strengthens families and communities, fostering better social outcomes,” he added.
Located at 1914 Carpenter Ave. in Des Moines, the facility will feature a five-bed sobering center, a behavioral health urgent care facility operational from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and a crisis observation center designed to assist those undergoing mental health crises. The urgent care and crisis observation services will be expanded and relocated from Broadlawns Medical Center.
The center will be operated by the nonprofit St. Vincent De Paul, while the staff for the urgent care and crisis observation units will come from Broadlawns. Additionally, trained EMTs and paramedics will staff the sobering center, ensuring professional care for individuals in need, according to Annie Uetz, CEO of Polk County Behavioral Health & Disability Services.
Angela Connolly, chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors, expressed hope that individuals utilizing the sobering center would engage with additional services provided at the facility, ultimately leading them to long-term treatment and recovery solutions. “We understand that recovery is often a process, and we aim to provide multiple opportunities for individuals to seek the help they require,” she noted.
Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen underscored the city’s commitment to funding half the annual operating costs of the sobering center, calling this initiative a crucial investment in public health. “This will greatly benefit law enforcement by allowing them to refer individuals to the center instead of the jail system, offering support rather than punishment,” she remarked.
Despite the intended benefits, the facility has faced criticism from some community members who feel they were not adequately consulted regarding its location. Residents have raised concerns about the potential impact of the center on the stability and safety of the neighborhood.
More: New ‘redlining’? Des Moines neighbors fear sobering center could hinder stability, investment
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