The Guthrie County ISU Extension & Outreach office says they’ve made the decision to close theirdoors to the public due to the current COVID-19 situation. The decision was made under guidance from ISU and discussion with some council members for the best way to protect staff and clients during this time. This means the doors will remain locked during normal business hours Monday-thru Friday, but staff will still be in the office working. They will be available to answer your questions and assist, you by phone and email. You can contact the office at 641-747-2276 or via email at xGuthrie@iastate.edu.

All Guthrie County ISU Extension programs have been canceled or postponed until May 9th, 2020. If anything changes please look to their social media and website for more information. Officials said also, “Over the past few weeks, we have been bombarded with information about preparing for and protecting ourselves from being infected with COVID-19, a disease caused by the new coronavirus. If this has caused you to feel overwhelmed, there are resources available to help:

Iowa Concern, offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provides confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics. With a toll-free phone number, live chat capabilities and a website, Iowa Concern services are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week at no charge. To reach Iowa Concern, call 800-447-1985; language interpretation services are available. Or, visit the website, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/, to live chat with a stress counselor one-on-one in a secure environment. Or email an expert regarding legal, finance, stress, or crisis and disaster issues.

211 is a free, comprehensive information and referral line linking Iowa residents to health and human service programs, community services, disaster services and governmental programs. This service is collaborating with the Iowa Department of Public Health to provide confidential assistance, stress counseling, education and referral services related to COVID-19 concerns.

The Disaster Distress Helpline provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused crisis. Calls (1-800-985-5990) and texts (text “TalkWithUs” to 66746) are answered by network crisis centers, who provide psychological first aid, crisis assessment and intervention, and referrals to local behavioral health services for follow-up care and support.”