Recent News

Former NFL player and speaker Gaelin Elmore believes that childhood trauma changes the rules of the game for youth, making interaction with well-intentioned adults difficult. While teachers, therapists, and caregivers are poised to provide the most enduring assistance, the prospect of building sincere, purposeful relationships with children and teens can challenge even the most dedicated professionals.

Youth need many things, but most importantly, they need adults committed to meeting their belonging needs.  Simply put, they need adults in their life that care.  Caring relationships are the only thing that allow youth to go from surviving to thriving. Sometimes, the best solutions to the most complex problems are right in front of us. That was true for Gaelin and his life. From foster care to professional football, learn how the system changed his life forever.

Backed by research, a passion for justice, and his own lived experience in the system, Gaelin Elmore’s workshop focuses on how we can begin to erase the belonging gap and how belonging can make a difference in the lives of the youth we serve. Attendees will be informed, challenged, and inspired to continue your life-changing work, but with a different perspective and intention.  Gaelin will encourage and equip attendees to think differently about their work and its long-term impact on others.

Care Connections of Northern Iowa (CCNIA) has awarded Seasons Center $2,805 in funding to update the waiting room area of the Seasons office in Emmetsburg, Iowa. 

The Sioux Cluster CPPC has awarded Seasons Center with $2,751.97 in grant funding to equip Seasons staff with resources and supports to improve services for children and families in Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Plymouth, and Sioux counties.  Funding will go towards a sensory room within the Cherokee Community School District, sensory items for working with children and families in office and in community-based locations, and personal care bags for families.

As parents and caregivers, we want the best for our kids and our families.  Life is full of challenges and knowing where to turn for help can sometimes be hard.  Seasons has complied a Behavioral Health and Community Resources guide to help support parents, caregivers, and foster, adoptive & kinship families. 

Click on the link below for a list of national & community resources, educational tools for parents, and much more!

Sioux Center, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting two drive-thru story events called “Driven by Hope” to educate our communities and honor victims of crime during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

Sioux Center, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting a mental health training event for foster and adoptive parents on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at the Dordt Agricultural Stewardship Center in Sioux Center, IA. The 8-hour Mental Health First Aid workshop will consist of two parts: a two-hour online self-paced portion and a 6.5 hour in-person training with powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. Training attendees will have the opportunity for free child care for the duration of the training event.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting the Big Snow Showdown, a winter wellness event and Snowman Building Contest, on Saturday, February 20 from 9-11 AM on the west lawn of the Spencer Hospital. In addition to the snowman building contest, there will be free resources, prizes, and fun for all ages.

Sutherland, Iowa – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health and Camp Autumn are hosting their 2nd Annual Ice Fishing Tournament & Fundraiser at Camp Autumn near Sutherland on Saturday, February 13, 2021. This event is a free will donation event and is open to the public, though registration is encouraged. Visit https://fb.me/e/6m24cKHCh to learn more.

Spencer, IA – The impacts of COVID can affect both physical and mental health. Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will be giving away 250 holiday food baskets in Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Plymouth, and Sioux counties to residents in need. These baskets will include pantry staples and a gift card for fresh meat and produce at a local grocery store. These baskets are funded by Sioux Rivers Mental Health & Disability Services Regions through CARES funding.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will be giving away 250 holiday food baskets in Clay, Emmet, Palo Alto, and Osceola counties to residents in need. These baskets will include traditional holiday classics such as canned vegetables, gravy, instant potatoes, and stuffing and a $20.00 gift card for fresh meat and produce at a local grocery store. Each basket will also include kid-friendly foods like bread, peanut butter, jelly, mac & cheese, granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, and soup. These baskets are funded by Northwest Iowa Care Connections and County Social Services Mental Health & Disability Services Regions through CARES funding.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health announced today it has received a $50,000 grant award from Telligen Community Initiative (TCI), a private, Iowa-based charitable foundation. These funds will be used to fund the “Wellness Wagon” project by purchasing of a 15-passenger van to support mobile behavioral health clinics in our rural counties.

Spencer, IA –  Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has been awarded a grant from the Emmet County Community Foundation in the amount of $4160 to offer two special events for children and their families from Emmet County.

Spencer, IA –  Dickinson County Endowment Foundation has awarded Seasons Center for Behavioral Health with a $1,000 grant to support individuals and families from Dickinson County impacted by COVID-19.

Spencer, IA – The Clay County Community Foundation granted Seasons Center for Behavioral Health with an award of $1,500 for infant mental health resources.

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Emmet County COVID-19 Response Fund Grant to support individuals and families from Emmet County.

Grant funding can be used to help access traditional behavioral health services (therapy and counseling) and to purchase items to help address unique individual and family situations related to inadequate communication, food insecurities, and other household needs, including activities that support positive family relationships and interaction.

Sioux Center, IA – On Saturday, September 12th, Maurice Reformed Church and Seasons Center are hosting the WALK for Mental Health Awareness. This is a free, family-friendly event to recognize the importance of mental health and to share resources on where to seek help.

Register today by visting https://seasonscenter.org/events.php or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/96079497363/.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health was granted the Suicide Prevention Grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), beginning July 31, 2020. This grant allows Seasons to increase access to behavioral health services for individuals, families, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance efforts to prevent suicide and suicide attempts within nine counties in rural northwest Iowa.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center’s trauma therapy program, HEAL, received a grant donation from American Contractors Insurance Group, to support client with resources. The purpose of the donation is to aid those adversely affected by COVID-19.

Spencer, IA – Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation has awarded Seasons Center for Behavioral Health with a $10,00 grant to address health, wellness, and food insecurity needs during the COVID-19 crisis.

Spencer, IA – During March 2020, Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will be hosting two installments of a training called “WISE Up: A Training for Foster Families.” This is a free, two hour training for foster parents and school-aged children to learn how to answer questions about their foster story. Everyone’s story is unique, personal, and theirs to share (or not).

Sutherland, Iowa – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health and Camp Autumn are hosting an Ice Fishing Tournament & Fundraiser at Camp Autumn near Sutherland on Saturday, February 15, 2020. This event is a free will donation event and is open to the public, though registration is encouraged. Visit https://bit.ly/3afBKU0 to learn more.

SIOUX CENTER, IA – Seasons Center received a grant award from Siouxland Community Foundation to help fund a vehicle for the agency in their Sioux Center office location. Agency vehicles allow staff to transport clients to and from appointments, our therapeutic camp, Camp Autumn, as well as attend client appointments at their homes or in the community. The HEAL program, Seasons’ trauma therapy service requires significant travel for providers who meet clients in the setting where they feel most comfortable.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center is pleased to share that through funding from County Social Services Mental Health Region, enhanced mobile crisis services will be available in Emmet County. Mobile crisis services can be accessed by law enforcement, schools, and hospitals/clinics to support an individual experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis who needs de-escalation, intervention, and ongoing care coordination.

ORANGE CITY, IA – On Saturday, October 26, 2019, supporters of Seasons Center, Autumn’s Center, and Camp Autumn came together to raise $24,080 in Orange City, Iowa at a dessert auction to support northwest Iowa children. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit Camp Autumn, a therapeutic camp for children ages 4-21 located near Sutherland, Iowa. The funds will specifically be used to send children to Camp Autumn through camp scholarships. Camp Autumn, which opened in June 2017, provides a unique blend of therapy, skill development, and fun for those who have experienced trauma, abuse, loss, grief, parental substance abuse, divorce of parents, family violence, or those who have developmental conditions. Both Autumn’s Center and Camp Autumn were named in honor and memory of Autumn Elgersma, of Orange City, Iowa who died on October 31, 2013, after being hospitalized due to the abuse she endured while in the care of her babysitter.

Spencer, IA – On Wednesday, November 6, Seasons Center for Behavioral Health, Iowa Lakes Corridor, and Clay County Veterans Affairs will host a free, 8-hour Mental Health First Aid Training for Military Members, Veterans, and their Families.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting a free kids’ carnival on Thursday, September 26, 2019 from 4-7 PM in Spencer. This free, family-friendly event is open to the entire community and families of all ages are welcome.

Sioux Center, IA – On Saturday, May 11th, Maurice Reformed Church and Seasons Center hosted the WALK for Mental Health Awareness in Sioux Center in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, raising over $750. Additionally, Maurice Reformed Church gathered a special offering during the month of May, donating $1,000 to Camp Autumn.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has been approved by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) as an approved Crisis Intervention Program. After a site visit and extensive review, it has been determined that Seasons meets all criteria set by AAS.

Spencer, IA – On Saturday, June 8, Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will host a free, half-day training for foster and adoptive families. Parents and caregivers will learn about attachment and secondary trauma for caregivers. Kate Freese, LISW, MSW, tCADC, Therapy Specialist at Seasons Center, will lead the presentation.

Sioux Center, IA – On Saturday, May 11th, Maurice Reformed Church and Seasons Center are hosting the WALK for Mental Health Awareness in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a free, family-friendly event to recognize the importance of mental health and to share resources on where to seek help.

Orange City, IA. – The 4th Annual END IT! for Autumn Color Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Veterans Park in Orange City, IA.

Spencer, IA – As a result of Compass Pointe closing on Monday, April 15, Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will temporarily extend substance use disorder service hours to accommodate the increase in clients in need of services.

Spencer, Iowa – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health was awarded four million dollars in federal grant funding over two years to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) is designed to provide comprehensive services to adults and children, including mental health and substance use disorder services. Seasons was one of two agencies awarded this grant in the state of Iowa.

Spencer, Iowa – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a Regional Partnership Grant (RPG) focused on supporting families who are suffering from the impact of abuse, trauma, and substance use. This three-year grant will provide $600,000 per year in federal funding to benefit an 11-county area.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has renewed its status as a Certified Evidence-Based Organization (CEBO) issued by the Society of Evidence-Based Organizations and Professions (EBP Society). Upon completing an organizational self-evaluations to become re-certified, Seasons has entered its third year as a CEBO.

ORANGE CITY, IA – On Saturday, October 27, 2018, 93 community members came together to raise slightly more than $28,000 in Orange City, Iowa at a dessert auction to support northwest Iowa children. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit Camp Autumn, a therapeutic camp for children ages 4-21 located near Sutherland, Iowa. The funds will specifically be used to help build a therapeutic art building at the camp. Camp Autumn, which opened in June 2017, provides a unique blend of therapy, skill development, and fun for those who have experienced trauma, abuse, loss, grief, parental substance abuse, divorce of parents, family violence, or those who have developmental conditions. Both Autumn’s Center and Camp Autumn were named in honor and memory of Autumn Elgersma, of Orange City, Iowa who died on October 31, 2013, after being hospitalized due to the abuse she endured while in the care of her babysitter.

Spencer, Iowa – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a $100,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Human Services focused on prevention and early intervention. This 9-month grant will benefit a 19 county area in northwest Iowa.

Spencer, IA – Autumn’s Center received a $2,500 donation from the Spencer Jaycees’ Triathlon event on June 23, 2018.

Each year, the Spencer Jaycees put on this community event, raising funds to benefit a local organization. This year, the Spencer Jaycees selected Autumn’s Center.

Spencer, IA - Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received a $750 grant from the American Legion of Iowa Foundation to host four therapeutic retreats as part of the HEAL (Hope, Enable, And Learn) program. The HEAL program has been providing specialized trauma therapy services throughout 19 counties in northwestern Iowa since July 2016.

Orange City, IA. – On Saturday, April 21st, over 290 adults and children participated in the 3rd END IT! for Autumn Color Run benefiting Camp Autumn. The fundraiser brought in $12,660.83 for the therapeutic day camp, which begins day camps on June 4. Camp Autumn, an extension of Autumn’s Center, a regional children’s center located in Spencer, Iowa, served over 140 children through nine weeks of summer day camps in 2017 and has 213 children registered already this year.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a $7,000 grant from the O’Brien County Community Foundation/Siouxland Community Foundation. The funding will be used to purchase outdoor playground equipment for Camp Autumn, a therapeutic camp for children, located at 4233 Yew Avenue in Sutherland, Iowa. Camp Autumn, an extension of Autumn’s Center, a regional children’s center located in Spencer, Iowa, served over 140 children through nine weeks of summer day camps in 2017 and has over 200 children registered this year.

Spencer, IA – Autumn’s Center was formally recognized as a “Community Development Best Practice” site by the Iowa Rural Development Authority in Grinnell, Iowa on Thursday, April 5. Seasons Center was nominated for several categories pertaining to Community Development Block Grant projects at Autumn’s Center and Camp Autumn.

Spencer, IA - Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a $1,000 grant from the Clay County Convention & Visitors Bureau to host a Kids’ Carnival at Autumn’s Center in September. The Kids’ Carnival will celebrate the two-year anniversary of the opening of Autumn’s Center and to promote positive mental health through a family-friendly event.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has been awarded grant funding from the Clay County Community Foundation in the amount of $4,000.00. Grant funds will be used to purchase furniture to update the conference room located at 201 East 11th Street in Spencer.  

Spencer, IA – April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and this year, local law enforcement raised $625.00 for Camp Autumn in the Cops for Camp Campaign.

Sioux City, Iowa – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting a free training for foster and adoptive parents on Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at Sunnybrook Church in Sioux City. Childcare will be provided for those who attend and foster parent credit is also available.

Orange City, IA – The 3rd Annual END IT! for Autumn Color Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Veterans Park in Orange City, IA.

Orange City, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting the 4th Annual END IT! for Autumn Rally in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office in Orange City.

Spirit Lake, Iowa – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health and Autumn’s Center are hosting the sixth annual Winter Games Free Kids’ Carnival on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Bedell Family YMCA in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Spencer, IA - Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received hundreds of books from the Buena Vista University Lakes Region Book Drive to benefit Camp Autumn.

Buena Vista University Lakes Region approached Seasons this fall on a special idea for a book drive to benefit children and families. BVU Lakes Region staff worked to gather a variety of books to engage the wide range of campers who attend Camp Autumn.

Spencer, IA - Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received a $9,000 donation from the Spencer Rotary and District Rotary to be used to build a fence around Autumn’s Center’s playground. Autumn’s Center, a regional children’s center located in Spencer, opened in October of 2016 and has since served 1,471 children.   

Spencer, IA - Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received a $1,200 grant from the American Legion of Iowa Foundation to purchase a unique blend of therapy and skill development resources for Camp Autumn, a therapeutic camp for children, located near Sutherland, Iowa in O’Brien County. Services began at Camp Autumn on June 5, 2017, with nearly 150 children participating in the first nine week summer day camp session. Since that time, five additional special events have been offered at Camp Autumn, with nearly 150 children participating in these events. 

Spencer, IA – Camp Autumn, a therapeutic day camp for children located in O’Brien County, has been awarded the American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation. Camp Autumn is an extension of Autumn’s Center, a regional children’s center located in Spencer, Iowa.

Orange City, IA – On Friday, October 28, 2017, 75 community members came together to raise $17,946.37 in Orange City, Iowa at a dessert auction to support northwest Iowa children. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit Camp Autumn, a therapeutic camp for children ages 4-21 located near Sutherland, Iowa. Camp Autumn, which opened in June 2017, provides a unique blend of therapy, skill development, and fun for those who have experienced trauma, abuse, loss, grief, parental substance abuse, divorce of parents, family violence, or those who have developmental conditions. Both Autumn’s Center and Camp Autumn were named in honor and memory of Autumn Elgersma, of Orange City, Iowa who died four years ago after being hospitalized due to the abuse she endured while in the care of her babysitter.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has been notified they are the recipient of a Regional Partnership Grant (RPG) from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Children’s Bureau (CB). With this grant award, Seasons will receive $600,000 per year for five years, beginning September 30, 2017. Seasons was one of fifteen agencies awarded funding for the Regional Partnership Grants to Increase the Well-Being of and to Improve the Permanency Outcomes for Children Affected by Substance Abuse (HHS-2017-ACF-ACYF-CU-1229).

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has been awarded a $100,000 nine-month grant from the Iowa Department of Human Services. The purpose of the grant is to bring community agencies together to build and improve the effectiveness of prevention and early intervention programs and services to improve child and family well-being. Seasons was one of three agencies awarded this funding. The agency will work closely with partners: Avera, Boys Town, Clay County Public Health, Juvenile Court, Prairie Lake AEA, Siouxland Human Investment Partnership, and Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. in providing a collaborative voice on how prevention and early intervention services can be enhanced and expanded for children and their families.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center has opened a food bank to benefit current clients and families served through the agency. The food bank, stocked by the Food Bank of Iowa and donations, has served over 20 households, totaling 82 individuals, since opening one month ago. Though the food bank is housed in Seasons’ Spencer office location, clients from all counties are able to benefit.

Spencer, IA – Autumn’s Center is hosting a one year anniversary celebration with a free kid’s carnival and open house on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The open house is in conjunction with the Spencer Chamber of Commerce’s After Hours. Autumn’s Center opened its doors in October of 2016 and has since served over 1,200 children.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received $2,000 in grant funding from the Dickinson County Endowment Fund. The funding will be used by Seasons to host the 2018 Winter Games Kids Carnival. The carnival is designed to be an interactive, indoor event for children and their families to promote positive mental health through a family-friendly event.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received $2,249.70 in grant funding from the Emmet County Community Foundation. The funding will be used to provide youth and their families in Emmet County with expanded respite care services and day camp services at Camp Autumn. Camp Autumn is a therapeutic camp for children, located at 4233 Yew Avenue in Sutherland, Iowa.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a $4,500 grant from the O’Brien County Community Foundation/Siouxland Community Foundation. The funding will be used to purchase outdoor and indoor furniture for Camp Autumn, a therapeutic camp for children, located at 4233 Yew Avenue in Sutherland, Iowa. Weekly day camp services at Camp Autumn began on June 5, 2017 and will run for 9 weeks. Planning is underway to design, schedule, and offer additional camps, services, and events for the other months of the year.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center received funding from Northwest Iowa Care Connections to provide mobile crisis services in six counties in northwest Iowa beginning January 1, 2018. The mobile crisis services will cover Clay, Dickinson, O’Brien, Osceola, Lyon and Palo Alto counties.

Sutherland, IA – Seasons invites all local foster and adoptive families to attend We are Family, a free one-day educational summit, on Saturday, June 17. Parents and caregivers will attend a training focused on trauma and its effects, attachment, and cultural competency, while the children enjoy a day at Camp Autumn.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a $20,000 grant from the Lakes Area Decat Board. This grant will be used to purchase resources and materials to support the implementation of specialized prevention and early intervention behavioral health, physical health, wellness, and nature-based programs and services at Autumn’s Center and Camp Autumn.

Orange City, IA – On Saturday, April 8th, over 300 adults and children participated in the 2nd END IT! for Autumn Color Run benefiting Camp Autumn. The fundraiser brought in $15,001.08 for the therapeutic day camp opening June 5. Camp Autumn is an extension of Autumn’s Center, a regional children’s center located in Spencer, Iowa, which just served its 1,000th child since opening on October 31, 2016.

Spencer, IA – Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received $2,500 from the Renaissance Initiative to install a koi pond at the healing garden/courtyard located at Autumn’s Center.

Spencer, IA – On October 31, 2016, Autumn’s Center opened its doors to provide specialty care for children ages 0-21 in northwest Iowa. In just over six months, Autumn’s Center, located in Spencer, is serving its 1,000th child.

Spencer, IA – On April 1, 2017, Seasons Center began offering an Anger Management program and is currently accepting referrals into the program.