Mental Health and Disability Services

Dubuque County Celebrates You

Dubuque County celebrates all people that live within our County limits, with a growing population nearing 100,000. People with disabilities add value to our community, and here at Dubuque County, we strive to ensure that people with disabilities across the lifespan have an array of quality services to help them lead purposeful and quality lives. The Department of Mental Health and Disability Services exists to support these efforts.

Learn more about us

In a crisis? How you can get help – Right Now
Call: 911 or Your Life Iowa Crisis Line 

The East Central Region now uses Your Life Iowa as the statewide crisis line, making free crisis calls and text available to anyone in Iowa. Your Life Iowa provides free information and referral, counseling, crisis service coordination, and linkages to crisis screening and mental health services 24 hours a day.

CALL 855-581-8111 or TEXT 855-895-8398

Walk In Crisis Stabilization Services 

Hillcrest Family Services has opened A New Day Behavioral Health Walk-In Clinic, in the newly-named Gary Gansmer Center at the Hillcrest Main Location on 2505 Wilbricht Lane in Dubuque. A New Day serves all individuals, regardless of ability to pay for services, and focus on individuals experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis. All patients can walk into the center without an appointment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday currently. There are plans for the clinic to expand hours in the future.

Patients can be brought in via law enforcement or mobile crisis teams. Patients can also be brought in with loved ones or come on their own. Individuals don’t need a referral and anyone can walk into the building.  A New Day Behavioral Health Walk-In Clinic services are completely voluntary. 

East Central Region (ECR) (PNG)

Getting Connected to Ongoing Brain Health and Disability Services

Dubuque County’s Department of Mental Health and Disability Services and the East Central Region help clients with:

  • Completing and processing applications for local services offered by ECR Mental Health and Disability Services 
  • Providing information and answering questions about available regional services, including crisis and stabilization services, mental health services, and services that help people in stabilizing rent, transportation, respite, lifeline and transitional housing and more, often through a brain health perspective 
  • Making sure that needed services are in place and ready to help when help is needed. 

Please visit the East Central Region (ECR) website for key information on these services, how to apply for them, and links to related information.  Or call our Intake Office at 319-892-5620 or email the intake Office

We are Seeking Disability Experts!

Dubuque County seeks disability experts to apply to be on the Disabilities Council to provide guidance on how the County can improve its responses to people with disabilities.  The County seeks applicants that are Dubuque County residents that have lived experiences of having a disability, including intellectual disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, brain health, and age-related disabilities, family caregivers, and advocacy leaders.  We also seek people that represent diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Accessible meeting supports will be provided for full participation. All are welcome.

Apply Online

If you are interested in learning more about the Council, please contact our office at 563-589-7870.