The effort to reduce the number of repeat calls was successful for MPACT (Marshalltown Police and Community Team) in 2024. Even though the overall number of last year’s calls to MPACT are less than 2023, that does not mean the services are in less demand. It is a result of the effort to increase follow-ups in a timely manner.

“We believe we did that,” said YSS of Marshall County Director of Community Engagement David Hicks. “The high utilizers of MPACT didn’t call the communications center as much because we were actively assisting them to address their ongoing issues. The advocates’ short term, sometimes long term case management, really made the difference. By emphasizing the ‘front end’ engagement, we anticipated the ‘back end’ would be affected, so to speak.”

Looking at the 2024 numbers, Hicks is happy with the performance. There were 262 calls for service, compared to 362 in 2023.

“That is a lot of people behind the numbers having their issues addressed,” he said. “That is also a lot of contacts and encounters that the police aren’t adding to their duties.”

Of the 2024 MPACT calls:

• 79, or 30 percent, were regarding homelessness;

• 51, 19 percent, mental health;

• 47, 18 percent, domestic violence;

• 43, 16 percent, juvenile issues;

• 26, 10 percent, family conflict;

• 10, 3 percent, substances;

• 7, 3 percent, other or welfare checks.

Hicks said homelessness and mental health have remained the primary two reasons people have called for help.

“They are also the two that present very different challenges,” he said. “Homelessness is a varying layer of economics, income stability, housing availability or affordability, among many other factors. It is different for everyone. Mental health is also a difficult issue where we are seeing symptoms of life experiences, family history and brain functioning. This could be anxiety, depression, panic disorder or something more intense that requires short term hospitalization.”

Hicks said when other call reasons are added – family conflict, domestic violence or additions – the situation becomes incredibly complex with no easy solutions.

So far in 2025, there has been an increase in the number of calls for elderly people who need assistance. Hicks said that trend might continue.

Funding

ARPA funding provided by the city of Marshalltown through December 2026 will help cover possible ongoing MPACT trends and with purchasing data collection software. Hicks added the software has not yet been purchased as the city has to put it out to bid.

There has not been any word on getting state funding, but Hicks said opportunities could come from multiple avenues, such as the state’s justice system, diversion or prevention dollars, mental health regions, corrections, child welfare or more. However, that is not a new challenge for MPACT, as he said they have pieced together several funding sources through the years.

“Heck, YSS of Marshall County is a huge patchwork quilt of different funding streams,” Hicks said. “I often joke that we built MPACT like Frankenstein. It’s made up of different pieces of funding to make it work. We have to be nimble and ready when funding presents itself.”

While Hicks added they would love to expand MPACT, they have to live within the current means of two advocates and appropriate clinical supervision.

“As with any business, our income has to cover our expenses,” he said. “If we added a third advocate, we would likely need another vehicle, and the ability to cover those ongoing expenses, especially if we expanded into the county. Salaries need to remain competitive as well.”

Interest

MPACT was built with the needs of the community first, he said. They learned as they went, and relied upon open communication, trust and accountability, possible because of established relationships.

Thus far, the success of MPACT has drawn the attention of various entities throughout the state and the country. Hicks likes to hear from other cities and counties who call to inquire about the program and a desire to proactively help citizens and law enforcement. If they want to start a similar service, he always urges everyone — the city or county governments, law enforcement and service providers — to be in “lock-step.”

“Everyone needs to be on the same page with a level of trust and professionalism,” Hicks said. “We created MPACT by our partnership sitting around a table with no blueprint or ‘how to’ guide.”

Any community wanting to start a similar program will have to build it. He said that should include assessments, documentation, data collection tools, processes, staffing, protocols, training, marketing, supervision and more.

“We often have other cities or agencies ask ‘Can we see your data collection or survey tools,'” Hicks said. “I typically respond with ‘What data do you want to measure? You’ll need to create it yourself based on the stats you and your funders want to collect.'”

Beyond calls looking for advice on how to create a similar program, the state’s justice system took note and completed an in-depth evaluation of MPACT. Wendy Ringgenberg, a justice systems analyst of Criminal & Juvenile Justice Planning, will present the evaluation to the MPACT team on Thursday.

“I believe MPACT is among the first co-responder programs in Iowa to have this level of assessment and research,” Hicks said. “We believe it will be very positive, but we also know that there will be things we need to work on. It’s just a part of the evolution of MPACT.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.