New family support center in DeKalb County connects care and resources under one roof

NOTE TO MEDIA: Media are invited to an open house on Monday, April 20, at 2 p.m. at the Iris Family Support Center - DeKalb location, 1316 E. Seventh St., Suite 204, Auburn. The event is open to the public. Photos, video, and interview opportunities will be available.

AUBURN, Ind. - April 17, 2026 - A collaborative effort among Parkview DeKalb Hospital, Iris Family Support Center and Alliance Health Centers (AHC) is strengthening access to prenatal care, substance use support and family resources with the opening of a new Iris Family Support Center location in DeKalb County.

"This expanded partnership reflects our commitment to improving access to care and addressing critical needs in DeKalb County," said Julie Wilson, market president, Parkview Health Northeast. "By bringing prenatal care, substance use support and community resources together in one location, we are creating a more connected system of care that walks alongside individuals and families and supports them at every stage."

The new clinic will serve as an on-site Family Resource Center with immediate resource navigation and services provided by IRIS and AHC.

"We wanted to open this location in a place that is centrally located and easy for families to access in times of need," said Dee Szyndrowski, CEO, Iris Family Support Center. "Co-locating with Parkview DeKalb and the Alliance Health Clinic reduces transportation barriers and makes it easier for families to access services when they need them most."

According to Indiana Birth Outcome Indicators for Small Areas, DeKalb County shows a mild to moderate risk score, with primary concerns including smoking and a lack of prenatal care in the first trimester. Local partnerships have also identified substance misuse counseling services as a key need in the community.

Available services at this location include walk-in case management and care navigation, referral assistance, addiction counseling and support groups, high-conflict parenting services, therapeutic art groups, educational classes, and prenatal programming. AHC will also provide on-site community outreach coordinators to conduct screenings and facilitate connections to additional resources.

The center expects to serve approximately 500 families in its first year.

Most services are offered at no cost. Counseling services accept Medicaid and insurance, and therapeutic groups are grant-funded and free to participants.

The Iris Family Support Center - DeKalb will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning April 20 at 1316 E. Seventh St., Suite 204, in Auburn. Walk-ins are welcome.

About Iris Family Support Center

Iris Family Support Center serves 38 northern Indiana counties and impacts the lives of more than 35,000 individuals each year. With more than 50 years of experience, Iris provides life-changing services for children and families, no matter what they are facing. With a vast array of prevention and intervention services, there is a place for everyone at Iris. The vast majority of services are provided at no cost to clients. For more information,visit www.irisfamily.org. To report child abuse or neglect, call the Indiana Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline, at 800-800-5556.

About Alliance Health Centers

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alliance Health Centers provides primary medical, OB/GYN and behavioral health care for patients of all ages. Committed to the communities AHC serves, the practice provides quality healthcare options, regardless of ability to pay. A sliding fee discount is available to those who qualify. As a collaborative partner, Parkview Health provides financial and operational support to Alliance Health Centers, and clinic providers are leased from Parkview Physicians Group. Pediatric patients with Medicaid or who have no insurance are accepted. To learn more about Alliance Health Centers, visit myalliancehealth.org.

About Parkview Health

Parkview Health is a nonprofit, community-focused health system serving Indiana and northwest Ohio with a mission to improve health and inspire well-being. Parkview Health includes 15 hospitals and an extensive network of primary and specialty care physicians.

Parkview demonstrates leadership in addressing healthcare affordability, renegotiating contracts with major insurers to deliver more than $1.1 billion in hospital rate reductions through 2025 and securing a new long-term agreement with Anthem that extends reduced rates through 2029. In 2025, Parkview also introduced a new Signature Care direct-to-employer plan that can save employers up to 25% compared to commercial insurance.

Parkview consistently earns multiple "A" Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, is ranked among Indiana's Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, recognized by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, and named NRC Health's No. 1 overall system for Excellence in Patient Experience among medium-sized health systems.