YSS Youth and Shelter Services Francis Lauer Youth Services

YSS of North Iowa, formerly known as Francis Lauer Youth Services, is a CARF accredited nonprofit providing youth and family centered behavioral health care.

The campus offers outpatient substance use disorder treatment and counseling, crisis stabilization and emergency shelter for children and adolescents, adults and families.

As YSS's northernmost location, this campus connects addiction care to a full continuum of support, meeting individuals and families where they are.

Addiction Care for Young Adults

YSS of North Iowa provides CARF accredited outpatient substance use disorder treatment for both adults and youth.

Through Ember Recovery of North Iowa, the campus also offers Iowa's first and only addiction treatment program designed specifically for young adult males ages 18 to 24.

Treatment draws on evidence based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR, motivational interviewing and medication assisted treatment, alongside relapse prevention and family therapy.

Care is individualized and can address co-occurring mental health needs. One former Ember Recovery client described the setting as "comfortable and homey," noting staff genuinely cared.

Crisis Stabilization and Youth Shelter

For youth ages 13 to 17 experiencing an acute mental health, behavioral or substance use crisis, the campus offers short term, 24 hour supervised crisis stabilization as a lower acuity alternative to hospitalization.

This family centered program includes assessment, daily therapy and discharge planning, alongside emergency shelter with counseling and life skills support.

Getting Connected

YSS of North Iowa serves Mason City and surrounding counties from its campus at 50 North Eisenhower Avenue, with select services available via telehealth.

The facility accepts Medicaid, Indian Health Service and Tribal funds, and private pay, and the admissions team works with families to explore payment options.