ABOUT VA CENTRAL IOWA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
The VA Central Iowa Health Care System, located in Des Moines, is one of two state-operated facilities in Iowa that provides medical and mental health care. The center is one of the 143 (87.7 percent) of facilities offering outpatient treatment for those dealing with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The center also provides residential treatment and services for homeless veterans.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The VA Central Iowa Health Care System incorporates specialized treatment for veterans dealing with co-occurring disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, grief, anger management, and other conditions.
An official document shows that the residential program uses evidence-based modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and the Matrix Model. Clients have the option of attending on- and off-site 12-step meetings.
Veterans are expected to follow residential care with outpatient treatment, which includes early recovery skills development and support groups. Clients will attend individual and group therapy, and if needed, behavioral couples therapy. The level of outpatient care needed is determined through an assessment.
Both residential and outpatient treatment incorporate relapse prevention training.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its living arrangements and related offerings.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The VA Central Iowa Health Care System employs peer support specialists, doctors, and nurses. Though no details regarding mental health staff credentialing is available, in Iowa, 144 (99.3 percent) facilities have continuing education requirements for staff.
Two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com to date about the staff’s level of support provided perfect five-star ratings. The sole loved one polled about the staff’s level of training and experience provided a rating of four out of five stars.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Two alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at this time of writing gave positive feedback. Both individuals gave perfect five-star ratings for the center’s cleanliness, leisure activities, visitor policy, and level of staff support.
Secondary review sites yielded positive feedback about the VA system as a whole, with individuals praising staff members and the high level of care. On Google, the center earned an average rating of 4.2 out of five stars based on 57 reviews, and on the facility’s Facebook page, (which it can manage) the center has a rating of 4.4 out of five stars based one 189 reviews. [1] [2]
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The sole loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com to date indicated that they’d recommend treatment at VA Central Iowa Health Care System. The anonymous loved one gave positive feedback, providing four out of five stars for ten out of 15 evaluated categories including counseling options, discharge policies, and treatment for co-occurring conditions. The individual wrote that while staff was a strength of the facility, the staff-to-client ratio was a weakness.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Though no current or former employees at the VA system have responded to a Best-rehabs.com poll to date, the center received an average rating of 3.8 out of five stars on Indeed. [3]
FINANCING
Clients may be required to pay a copay for services at VA Central Iowa Health Care System. The VA’s website states that lack of insurance coverage does not determine if a client will be treated.
[1]https://goo.gl/f473Mw
[2]https://www.facebook.com/VACentralIowa/
[3]https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Va-Central-Iowa-Health-Care-System/reviews