Let’s Talk Iowa!

Keywordsmental health, Iowa, managed care organizations, MCOs, healthcare, advocacy, family support, bureaucratic challenges, accountability, reform Summary In this conversation, Chad shares his personal struggles with the mental health care system in Iowa, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). He discusses the emotional toll of navigating bureaucratic obstacles while seeking care for his son, highlighting the power dynamics and conflicts of interest

SummaryIn this episode of Let's Talk Iowa, Chad shares a raw and unfiltered account of his struggles with the Iowa legal system regarding his son's mental health needs. He discusses the hypocrisy of the system, the burdens of navigating the CINA process, and the lack of legal representation. Chad highlights the emotional and financial toll on foster and adoptive families, the exploitation of compassionate citizens, and the systemic failures that lead to trauma. He calls for action and solidarity

In this episode, Chad Benson interviews Ryan Adams about his journey from Norway to San Francisco, his work in residential care, and his efforts to strengthen family resource centers in Iowa. They discuss the challenges of the foster care system, the importance of community-based solutions, and the need for a paradigm shift in policy to support families more effectively.Of course. Based on the text you provided, here is a paragraph you can use for your show notes: Our guest is Ryan Adams, the

What if the state agency responsible for children's mental health had a secret "Bigfoot Division"—specializing in blurry photos and anecdotal evidence of services that are always just out of reach?For too many Iowa families, this frustrating search for care is a daily reality. Despite a landmark court settlement promising comprehensive mental health services for children, the gap between policy and people seems to be widening. To understand why, we go straight to the state capital. Host Chad Benson

After a long silence, host Chad Benson returns with the deeply personal story of his own family's grueling battle with Iowa's Health and Human Services. In this raw and emotional episode, Chad shares his firsthand experience navigating the state's "ghost network" of care and questions the sincerity of the landmark C.A. v. Garcia settlement. He's then joined by State Representative Ken Croken (D-Davenport), a former healthcare executive and county supervisor, for a candid discussion about the

In this episode, Rep. Robert Henderson joins us to talk about Iowa's growing mental health crisis and the impossible position schools have been placed in. With services lacking, teachers are expected to  be mental health providers, disciplinarians, and caregivers- on top of educating. Henderson discusses the urgent need to shift responsibility back to a system of community-based care, holding the state accountable in the wake of the C.A. v. Garcia settlement. He reflects on policy gaps, systemic

What happens when a parent does everything right—and still hits a wall? In the premiere episode of Let’s Talk, Iowa!, host Chad Benson speaks with Nina Richtman, a mother who was forced to transfer legal custody of her son to the state just to access the mental health care he needed.Together, they explore the impossible choices Iowa families face, the impact of trauma and attachment issues, and how a system built to protect often leaves parents blamed and alone. This episode tells the truth about