New Connections

New Connections offers two outpatient levels of care designed to support people at different points in their recovery. The standard Outpatient Program provides ongoing substance abuse treatment while allowing participants to live at home and manage work, family, or other daily commitments. For those who need a more intensive structure, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) increases the frequency and depth of clinical engagement without requiring residential placement.

Both tracks reflect a recovery model built around sustained progress rather than short-term stabilization. Whether someone is stepping down from a higher level of care or beginning outpatient treatment for the first time, New Connections offers a structured path within a medically integrated system. The program can be reached at (515) 282-6610 to discuss which level of care best fits an individual's current needs.

Many people entering recovery carry experiences of trauma or are managing mental health conditions alongside substance use. New Connections treats co-occurring disorders and trauma or PTSD as part of its core clinical scope — not as separate concerns to be addressed elsewhere. This integrated approach means people do not have to choose between addiction treatment and mental health support during outpatient care.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the primary therapeutic method used at New Connections. CBT helps people in recovery examine the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, building practical skills they can apply outside of sessions. For those whose substance use is entangled with trauma responses or mood disorders, this dual-focus treatment structure is especially relevant to building a durable recovery.

New Connections accepts a broad range of payment sources, including Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and state insurance. This wide acceptance reflects the program's position within the Broadlawns Medical Center system, which has long served as a public health resource for Polk County residents. Financial barriers that prevent many people from entering substance abuse treatment are significantly reduced here compared to many private outpatient programs.

The program also maintains a specific commitment to serving individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing — a population that is often underserved by addiction treatment programs. This accessibility focus, combined with JCAHO accreditation and dual-diagnosis treatment capacity, distinguishes New Connections within the Des Moines outpatient recovery landscape. The program operates Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Choosing an outpatient recovery program means choosing a place where clinical care fits into real life — and where treatment depth matches the complexity of what someone is actually facing. New Connections addresses substance use alongside trauma and co-occurring mental health conditions, uses an evidence-grounded therapy in CBT, and operates within an accredited medical system. These are not incidental features; they reflect a treatment structure appropriate for the ongoing work of long-term recovery.

For people in Des Moines who are evaluating outpatient addiction treatment options, New Connections offers JCAHO-accredited care, broad insurance acceptance, and a meaningful commitment to serving communities that many programs overlook. Contact the program at (515) 282-6610 or visit broadlawns.org to learn more about enrollment.