CONTRIBUTED PHOTO From left to right, MPD Capt. Chris Jones, Sen. Joni Ernst, YSS of Marshall County Director David Hicks, Police Chief Mike Tupper, Community Advocate Mark Doland and MPACT program supervisor Ryan Keller.

The Marshalltown Police and Community Team received praise once again this week, this time from Sen. Joni Ernst.

Ernst visited with the MPACT team on Tuesday to discuss how the program is tackling mental health service and crisis intervention, as well as the challenges it faces.

Police Chief Mike Tupper, Capt. Chris Jones, program supervisor Ryan Keller, YSS of Marshall County Director David Hicks and new community advocate Mark Doland were there to meet with Ernst and share their stories.

“Being asked to visit with state leaders indicates the value they place on the service. Through our visits, the senator knows full well how MPACT is changing community policing through our unique collaboration,” Hicks said.

Ernst, who also visited the YSS Recovery Center in Cambridge, emphasized the importance of access to mental health services, especially in rural areas. She lauded the work being done by the MPACT team.

“Marshalltown is setting an important precedent by prioritizing the creation of safe environments and treatment plans for our kids and families who are struggling,” Ernst said.

The senator has been working on a bipartisan bill to combat youth suicide. She introduced the STAND UP Act with Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in May. The bill gives preference to grant funding for suicide prevention and awareness programs.

Ernst also voted in favor of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act along with 14 Republican senators and all 220 Democratic senators. The act provides states with support for creating and expanding mental health service programs.

“Legislation like the STAND UP Act, and facilities like the YSS Young Recovery Center, will make a significant impact in setting up our kids up for healthy and hopeful futures,” she said.

While the members of MPACT shared hard data with Ernst, Hicks found her to be moved the most by their stories.

“She commented that she references MPACT as the model to follow when visiting other municipalities across the state,” he said.

MPACT is back to having two community advocates after one of its founding advocates, Darcy Andersen, left the position in July. Hicks said the program really needs at least three advocates to cover the hours when it is most needed.

“Support on the federal level can be very slow and reactionary, so our ability to talk directly with the senator and others will hopefully yield results down the road,” Hicks said. “I’m optimistic that it will.”