Focuss

08/20/2026

Thank You, Newton & Jasper County! 💙

🙏🏾 THANK YOU to the Newton community and Jasper County!

We want to sincerely thank everyone who came out to the FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center Soft Opening — our first responders, police officers, firefighters, fire departments, teachers, school counselors, educators, community partners, families, and community members.

Your support means so much to us. ❤️

We had great conversations, we listened, and we heard you. Most importantly, we understand that the need is there.

We heard your stories, your concerns, your ideas, and your hopes for the youth in Jasper County. We are grateful that you took the time to come out, meet with us, and share your thoughts.

Now, we can’t wait to get started! 🙌🏾

FOCUSS is excited to do our part and work alongside the Newton and Jasper County community to provide a safe place and support for our youth when they need it most.

Thank you for welcoming FOCUSS into your community and for showing us that Newton and Jasper County are ready to come together for our youth.

💙 We heard you. We understand the need. And we are ready to serve.

FOCUSS — Together, we can make a difference.

08/12/2026

Thank You, Newton & Jasper County! 🙏🏾❤️

Thank you to the City of Newton residents and Jasper County residents for the incredible support you have shown for creating a much-needed safe place for our youth.

To all the teachers who came out, toured the center, and took the time to speak with us—thank you. Thank you for sharing your stories about the youth you serve, the needs you see every day, and how you believe FOCUSS can help.

We hear you. We see you. We appreciate you.

Teaching is so much more than a paycheck. The compassion, dedication, and love you have for your students—and your desire to help shape the future—cannot be measured by a pay grade. You are investing in the future of our community, and we are honored to be an extension of that support.

To our law-enforcement officers, thank you for coming out, touring the center, sitting down with us, asking questions, and sharing your concerns. Your commitment to making sure our youth have a safe place to turn is clear. We look forward to working alongside you and being another resource when a young person needs help.

To our fire departments and first responders, thank you for coming out, touring the center, and speaking with us. We want FOCUSS to be an extension of the support you need when you encounter a youth who needs services. You don’t have to carry it all alone—we are here to help.

And to the city, county, and state officials from Newton, Jasper County, and surrounding communities who came out to support us—thank you. Your presence means so much.

This is just the beginning.

The community matters.
Families matter.
Youth matter.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can create safer communities, stronger families, and brighter futures for our youth.

FOCUSS is here. We hear you. We see you. And we are here to serve. ❤️🙏🏾

While we are getting closer to opening our doors, there is still work to be done. If you would like to help us complete this mission by making a donation, volunteering your time, or supporting our efforts in another way, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can ensure that no young person has to face a crisis alone

Nonprofit holds soft opening at its new facility in former Elks Lodge building

07/27/2026

Today, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to

🚨Prairie Meadows Casino🚨

for their generous donation to the
👏🏾🎈FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center (Newton Facility) 🎈👏🏾

Prairie Meadows has long been a cornerstone of giving back to communities across Iowa, supporting organizations that strengthen families, create opportunities, and help build brighter futures. We are incredibly grateful that they recognize the value and importance of the FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center and the critical need for youth crisis services in Jasper County and the surrounding communities.

As a nonprofit organization, every donation makes a difference. Community support is what allows us to continue building a safe place where youth experiencing mental health, behavioral health, and personal crises can receive immediate care, compassion, and hope.

While we are getting closer to opening our doors, there is still work to be done. If you would like to help us complete this mission by making a donation, volunteering your time, or supporting our efforts in another way, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can ensure that no young person has to face a crisis alone.

🚨Thank you again, Prairie Meadows Casino🚨,

for investing in our youth, our families, and the future of our communities. Your generosity will have lasting impact on countless lives.

Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel

07/15/2026

Preventing Gun Violence Starts with All of Us

Gun violence is not someone else’s problem. It is a community problem, a family problem, and a public health issue that affects all of us.

As parents, grandparents, guardians, and caregivers, one of the simplest and most important things we can do is securely lock up fi****ms. Safe storage can save lives. It can prevent a child or teenager from making a decision in a moment of anger, fear, sadness, or despair that can never be undone. It can also help prevent accidental shootings and unauthorized access to fi****ms.

The reality is that we don’t always know what our children are carrying inside. Even in loving homes, young people can struggle with depression, anxiety, bullying, trauma, relationship issues, or overwhelming stress. Many become experts at hiding their pain. Today’s youth are facing pressures that are different from, and in many ways greater than, those of previous generations. We cannot assume that because a child is smiling, they are okay.

This is why education matters. We must educate parents, schools, communities, and young people about mental health, conflict resolution, responsible firearm storage, and recognizing the warning signs that someone may be in crisis. Prevention begins with awareness.

We also have to be honest about the consequences of gun violence. In a single moment, lives can change forever. A young person may lose their freedom and spend years in jail or prison. Someone may lose their life. Families may lose a son, daughter, brother, sister, parent, or friend. Survivors are left with physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime.

Gun violence does not end with the person who is shot or the person who pulls the trigger. It ripples through entire families, schools, neighborhoods, first responders, healthcare workers, and communities. It leaves grief, trauma, fear, and heartbreak that can affect generations.

Preventing gun violence requires all of us. It requires parents having difficult conversations with their children. It requires adults storing fi****ms responsibly. It requires communities investing in youth, mental health, mentoring, and crisis intervention. It requires us to look out for one another and to speak up when someone needs help.

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up, pursue their dreams, and come home safely. Every life is valuable. If we truly want to reduce gun violence, we must move beyond reacting to tragedy and commit ourselves to preventing it.

The choices we make today can save a life tomorrow.

06/21/2026

HELP US SUPPORT YOUTH IN CRISIS

🙏🏽FOCUSS 🙏🏽is excited to announce that we have created an Amazon Wish List for our new Youth Crisis Observation Center!

As a nonprofit organization, community support plays a major role in helping us provide a safe, welcoming, and healing environment for youth facing behavioral health crises, trauma, exploitation, and other challenges. Every item donated helps us better serve youth and families in need.

From bedding and hygiene products to furniture, snacks, and everyday essentials, each contribution makes a direct impact on the lives of the young people who walk through our doors.
We believe that supporting our youth is investing in our future. Together, we can create a space where young people feel safe, valued, and supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

If you would like to help, please visit our Amazon Wish List and consider donating an item. No gift is too small, and every donation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us build a stronger community for our youth.

06/19/2026

F OCUSS is excited to announce that we are actively accepting referrals for Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS) for youth and families throughout our community.

As we continue building a comprehensive continuum of care, we are encouraging schools, parents, healthcare providers, juvenile justice professionals, community organizations, and referral partners to consider FOCUSS for BHIS services. Our goal is to connect youth with support early, helping them develop skills, build resilience, and address challenges before they become crises.

While FOCUSS offers a wide range of services—including therapy, counseling, mobile crisis response, and our Youth Crisis Observation Center—our current focus is expanding access to BHIS services and ensuring youth receive individualized support in their homes, schools, and communities.

Our BHIS team works directly with youth and families to improve communication, coping skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving abilities, and overall behavioral health outcomes. We believe that early intervention and consistent support can significantly reduce the need for more intensive services later.

By providing BHIS, therapy, counseling, mobile crisis response, and crisis observation services under one organization, FOCUSS is creating a seamless system of care that allows youth and families to receive support at every stage of need.

We are committed to serving all communities, building strong relationships with youth and families, and becoming a trusted resource that youth can turn to before a crisis occurs.

Referrals are now being accepted. If you know a youth or family who may benefit from BHIS services, please contact FOCUSS to learn more about eligibility, services, and referral options.

Contact: Evan Bond, Behavioral Health Director

📧 [email protected]

Together, we can provide the support youth need today while helping prevent crises tomorrow.

06/11/2026

Thanks to the young men from East High School and the Newton Community Resident for assisting us at the future Focuss Youth Crisis Observation Center 🙏🏽

06/04/2026

🙏🏾In Memory of Scott Johnson🙏🏾

The family of Scott Johnson, who tragically passed away from a drug overdose, has donated a Naloxone box to the FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center in Newton, Iowa.

This donation was made in partnership with Steps of Hope Iowa, an organization known for its dedication to supporting families who have lost loved ones to overdose and substance use disorders. Together with FOCUSS, they continue to work toward saving lives and supporting individuals and families affected by addiction.

The Naloxone box will be installed outside the FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center and will be available for public use. Its purpose is simple but powerful: to help save lives by providing immediate access to Naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and give someone a second chance.

Scott’s family remembers him as a caring and loving person who was always there for his nieces, nephews, and family members. They shared that he always had positive and encouraging words for those around him and that he is deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Scott’s family and to Steps of Hope Iowa for their generosity, compassion, and commitment to helping others. Their support strengthens the fight against addiction and overdose and helps bring hope to those who may be struggling.

Addiction is a disease that affects families and communities across Iowa and beyond. By working together, supporting one another, and making life-saving resources available, we can help prevent future tragedies.

Every life matters. Every person matters. Together, we can save lives and honor Scott’s memory by continuing the fight against this disease. ❤️
Steps of Hope Iowa

05/25/2026

Unconditional unity = a state of complete harmony, connection, or oneness that is maintained regardless of circumstances, differences, or conflicts🙏🏾

we can’t expect the youth to get it right if we’re not setting the example don’t let that fly over your head (message)

Focuss would like to thank all who came out to support the fight against human trafficking

05/17/2026

Today was a special and emotional moment for FOCUSS as we officially revealed the naming of the new FOCUSS Youth Crisis Observation Center #2 in Newton, Iowa after two incredible men — Andy Dannen and Dwight Jackson.

Their impact has changed lives, and it was only right that their legacy be forever connected to a place focused on helping young people through crisis, healing, and hope.

Family, friends, and community members gathered together to witness the unveiling and see what the signs with their names will look like inside the new center.

The evening was filled with great conversations, laughter, appreciation, and light refreshments as we celebrated two men who have poured so much into others.

This new Newton location will become FOCUSS’ second Youth Crisis Observation Center, continuing our mission to support youth and families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Thank you, Andy Dannen and Dwight Jackson, for leadership, mentorship, compassion, and commitment to better communities, families youth and much more . Your names will now forever be part of a place built to change lives.
Special thank you to the Dannen & Jackson family 🙏🏾