Editor’s Note: This is the latest in a series of articles about the partner agencies affiliated with the United Way of Marshall County. Articles will be published every Wednesday and Saturday now through Dec. 10.

Center Associates and the United Way have had a long standing partnership in the Marshalltown area. With funding help from the Marshalltown Area United Way, we continue to fulfill our mission: “To provide high quality and comprehensive mental health services in order to enhance the lives of individuals and families”.

Last year, the Center saw more than 3,700 patients and had more than 27,000 patient visits at our two clinics. Our clinicians also meet with students at each of the Marshalltown Community School District sites. Last year, we had more than 1,200 visits with students in the Marshalltown schools.

While the costs of most of these visits are covered by the students’ insurance or grants, the financial support received from the Marshalltown Area United Way helps us to provide additional consultation time to meet with school district employees such as teachers, counselors and administrators. This additional time gives insight into individual student issues and helps the clinicians to better work with those students.

Our licensed staff is comprised of social workers, psychologists, mental health counselors, psychiatrists and ARNPs who provide individual, group and marriage counseling as well as consultation and emergency services to the community. Michael Bergman has served as CEO of Center Associates for more than 30 years.

Center Associates introduced a new program in 2014 – Integrated Health Services. This program works to integrate clients’ mental health and physical health care, in order to improve both. A staff of five work with adult and pediatric clients with a mental health diagnosis that are also eligible for Medicaid. We have seen marked improvements in some clients, enabling them to live a more fulfilling life within the community.