DES MOINES, IOWA (June 17, 2021) — Youth Homes of Mid-America (YHMA) and Youth Emergency Services and Shelter (YESS) have received board approvals to merge the organizations. The merger, set to close on July 30, will bring together two of the leading human service providers in Iowa.
“The need for children’s mental-health services is increasing, and the demand for residential care continues to evolve,” said Doug Pearson, YHMA board president. “This changing dynamic requires agility in operations and new solutions that best serve children and families in need. Our combined organizations bring this opportunity to life.”
Unification of the organizations is beneficial for Iowa families, the state of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Human Services, Juvenile Court Services and the many stakeholders each organization independently serves. The size, scale, and potential impact of this merger are unprecedented for Iowa human-service programs.
“This merger will enable us to best serve Iowa’s youth and families by providing a more significant and stronger voice for children’s issues,” said Travis Sheets, YESS board president. “We are bringing together two longstanding organizations with stellar reputations to ensure the continued strength of the collective services we provide.”
With the introduction of the YHMA/YESS merger, the combined teams are beginning the process of naming the newly-formed organization. A formal announcement and unveiling will happen in the coming months.
“This is just the beginning,” said Pearson. “We are all getting to work and using the foundation from each organization to build something stronger. The impact of this merger will create a brighter future for Iowa’s youth and families for generations to come.”
