DES MOINES, IOWA (December 23, 2025) — Since taking on the role of administrative services organization for Iowa’s new Behavioral Health Service System on July 1, the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) has worked to address one of the top concerns of parents in Iowa: The mental health and well-being of their children.
Two major investments in youth behavioral health bring these services directly to children in school-based settings — Classroom Clinic and Hazel Health. This initiative, powered by Iowa’s newly-established Behavioral Health Service System, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s commitment to student well-being. By streamlining access and investing in scalable virtual care, Iowa is freeing up critical resources to make purposeful, long-term investments in community-based mental-health infrastructure.
These investments are a direct response to the voices of Iowa’s educators and families. The resources do not just fill gaps — they strategically complement local providers, allowing them to focus on deeper, community-rooted care while virtual services handle immediate needs. In Iowa, the number of youth experiencing behavioral-health conditions has doubled over the past three years — from 20% to approximately 40%. Nationally, one in five children, ages three through seventeen, have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition.
“It’s a complicated issue that requires a thoughtful and thorough approach,” says Aaron Todd, CEO of the Iowa PCA. "The common denominator is the need for increased access to behavioral health services for Iowa's youth. We aim to do this by leveling the playing field for our young people so they can access services and support wherever they live, regardless of their health insurance or financial means, in a manner that addresses their needs.”
To address the growing need for behavioral health services and equip Iowa’s youth with the support they need, the Iowa PCA is working closely with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to deliver an array of options to youth and their parents including investments in Classroom Clinic, which provides school districts with convenient access to children’s mental-health services via telehealth and related technologies; and Hazel Health, which will provide virtual therapy and services to students — regardless of insurance status — in schools lacking adequate access.
“As a growing Iowa business, Classroom Clinic's partnership with Iowa PCA allows us to expand our children’s mental health services and help address the gaps we see in our local communities every day while working with school leaders and community partners," says Allen Bierbaum, CEO of Classroom Clinic. With support from Iowa PCA, Wellmark, and other local agencies, Classroom Clinic will provide mental-health services to more than 1,000 students across nearly sixty school districts this year and is on track to deliver more than 10,000 appointments to kids who would otherwise have no path to care.
“This initiative led by the Iowa Primary Care Association, together with Iowa HHS, marks a major step forward in expanding access to school-based mental-health-care across Iowa. We commend the state’s proactive leadership and are humbled to be a part of this transformational cross-sector partnership. Together, we will create a meaningful and lasting impact for students and families when mental health support matters most," said Andrew Post, President, Hazel Health.
“This is a transformational moment for Iowa,” says Marissa Eyanson, Behavioral Health Director for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. “We’re not just expanding access —we’re unlocking the full potential of our provider network. By streamlining services and investing smartly, we’re freeing up local resources to make purposeful, lasting improvements in student mental health. This is a bold step forward, and we’re proud to be part of a coordinated, statewide movement that puts kids first.”
Through support by the Wellmark Foundation, an additional $5 million in grants has been made available to eligible rural Iowa schools to foster lasting, sustainable mental and behavioral health programs by addressing constraints associated with access to care for youth.
This initiative is more than a milestone — it’s a model for how strategic partnerships and smart investments can transform access to care. The Iowa PCA remains committed to working alongside providers, schools, and families to build a future where every child has the support they need to thrive.
The Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) serves as the Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization for Iowa’s newly-redesigned Behavioral Health Service System. In addition to supporting Iowa’s fourteen community health centers, the Iowa PCA — alongside its sister organizations, IowaHealth+ and INConcertCare — delivers a wide range of integrated supports across the health-care ecosystem. With a steadfast commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable, and preventive care, Iowa PCA is driving forward a future where every Iowan can reach their full health potential.
