CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (July 9, 2025) – Valley Oaks Health, newly assigned as Clinton County’s community mental health center, is set to significantly enhance local mental health services, particularly through its 24/7 mobile crisis intervention team. Dan Arens, CEO of Valley Oaks, presented the organization’s capabilities and plans to the Clinton County Council at its Tuesday meeting, emphasizing a shift towards community-based, accessible care.
Valley Oaks officially began its role in Clinton County on July 1st, having been assigned by the state of Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addictions (DMHA). Council member Carol Price highlighted the state’s new DMHA director, Sarah Sailors, for making a “huge difference” in bringing these services to Clinton County and other previously underserved areas.
Arens described Valley Oaks as a community mental health center that is not part of a large healthcare system, serving approximately 11,000 to 12,000 people annually across what will now be ten primary counties. With about 450 employees, Valley Oaks prides itself on being a local partner and highly accessible.
A core aspect of their approach is providing services directly in the community, including in schools, homes, jails, and even “under bridges,” aiming to ensure people can “come out of wherever they need to be and have access to care”. This access isn’t limited to therapy; they have staff trained for de-escalation and plan to have psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners providing care in Clinton County. Valley Oaks also offers open access to care to stabilize individuals and then integrate them into other necessary services. The organization is actively seeking both temporary and long-term space within the county and plans to introduce primary care services over time.
A key focus of Arens’ presentation was the mobile crisis team, designed to provide immediate, on-site support:
24/7 Availability: These crisis services are available around the clock, with a mobile team already responding to individuals in Clinton County.
Peer-Led Model: The team includes peers – individuals with lived experience in addictions and/or mental health who have recovered and are trained for intervention.
Team Composition: Comprised of peers, mental health technicians, and EMTs.
Response Protocol: They respond directly to people’s homes or hospitals, aiming to “take the person under our wing” to ensure they reach the appropriate destination, thereby alleviating the burden on law enforcement officers.
Medical Coordination: If medical clearance is required at an emergency room, the team coordinates that process.
Suicidal Individuals: For individuals who are suicidal, the team ensures they are placed into the “correct inpatient bed”.
Jail Diversion: A significant intent of these crisis interventions is jail diversion, offering an alternative for individuals struggling with or under the influence of drugs who do not require arrest. The service transforms a “potential criminal situation into a mental health situation”.
Contact: Individuals can reach the crisis services by calling 866-6-VALLEY and selecting the crisis option.
The council acknowledged that Valley Oaks staff had previously explained these emergency services at a community meeting on June 20th, where attendees “really drilled them” with questions, and “nobody held back”. Arens expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in Valley Oaks by the community. He is also expected to attend the next commissioners’ meeting and provided informational flyers to the council.
The county welcomes Valley Oaks, recognizing it as the beginning of a “new era” for mental health services.
