Our History

Crisis Intervention Services is a private, non-profit organization that has served individuals affected by domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other crises in Mahaska County since July 1997 and Keokuk County since July 2001.

Increased state and national awareness of domestic violence as a social problem prompted several concerned citizens in Mahaska County to form the Mahaska Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 1992. The purpose of this coalition was to increase awareness and educate the community about the problem of domestic violence. The membership of this coalition included diversity within the population of Mahaska County such as survivors, clergy, service providers, nurses, police personnel, representatives from the Crisis Center & Women’s Shelter in Ottumwa, teachers, attorneys, and concerned citizens.

The coalition started a support group for survivors and provided information packets and training sessions to the local clergy, law enforcement, and schools. The demand for services to survivors was greater than the ability to respond as a volunteer agency.

In 1994, a board was formed to oversee and increase the level of care available. This board elected to call itself Domestic Abuse Resources of Mahaska County (DARMC). In October of 1995, the DARMC board was contacted by the Crisis Center & Women’s Shelter in Ottumwa and they began to work cooperatively with the aid of the Violence Against Women Act Grant. DARMC’s responsibility was to open, equip, and maintain an office. DARMC received several substantial donations from community organizations, which enabled them to meet their goals.

The goal of DARMC was to become an independent organization that would eventually be able to provide comprehensive services to survivors of domestic abuse in Mahaska County. This goal became a reality in July of 1997. Soon after, DARMC changed its name to Crisis Intervention Services so that the name would adequately reflect the concern about and work with sexual assault survivors as well as domestic abuse survivors.

In August of 1999, Crisis Intervention Services began investigating the need for a shelter in Mahaska County. In November, it was determined that approximately 100 women and children each year needed shelter, and the goal of opening a shelter was formally approved by the Board of Directors. Crisis Intervention Services immediately commenced fundraising and grant writing activities, and enjoyed tremendous community support. A shelter was open ten months later, on September 1, 2000. The shelter is a large Victorian style home that is on the National Historical Registry. It is a 24-bed facility, and we provide residents with a safe and supportive environment. The shelter and the crisis line are staffed 24-hours every day by professionals and trained volunteers. Women and their children can stay in the shelter for up to eight weeks, though extensions are often given.

Crisis Intervention Services is a member of:

Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV)
Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA)
Mahaska Community Action Providers (CAP)
Mahaska Homelessness Coalition

The two state coalitions provide us with guidance, information, and training. As a voting member of each coalition, we are required to adhere to their philosophies as feminist organizations as well as to their Center Standards. Crisis Intervention Services has a strong commitment to collaborative efforts in our community. We have written networking agreements with approximately twenty agencies in our service area. These agreements assist us in clarifying our relationships and collaborative roles with other service providers and are updated on an annual basis.

In December of 2000, Crisis Intervention Services was asked by the Crisis Center & Women’s Shelter in Ottumwa to add Keokuk County to our direct service area as they had reached a point wherein they needed to downsize. Additional funding was requested, and received, to expand our direct service area. In July 2001, Keokuk County was added to our direct service area.
Crisis Intervention Services provides the following free and confidential services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other crises:

24-hour crisis line
Individual crisis counseling
Support groups
Emergency shelter
Medical advocacy
Personal advocacy
Criminal justice/legal advocacy
Child advocacy and tutoring
Information and referrals
Transportation (as able)
Emergency financial assistance (as able)
Community education and training