Frontline Care Center opens to support veterans, first responders and their families

ROUND LAKE – The village of Round Lake is now home to Frontline Care Center, the first wellness location dedicated to veterans, first responders and their families in Lake County.

The new community-based facility offers behavioral health services designed to support those who have served and sacrificed for our communities and country, according to a news release.

Frontline Care Center will provide screenings, crisis intervention, therapy, holistic wellness services and more. All services can be provided both in person and by telehealth.

On Dec. 9, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, the Lake County Board, Living Pono Counseling, the 100 Club of Illinois and the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County came together to mark the grand opening of the facility.

“Our communities have an obligation to care for our first responders, military service members, veterans and their families. We want to care for those that care for all of us,” said Bruce N. Johnson, the CEO of Nicasa, a retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran and retired chief of police. “We are grateful to the Lake County Board for their generous support and to our many partners and the selfless volunteers and donors who have worked to make this important project a reality.”

The Lake County Board allocated $2.3 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to Nicasa Behavioral Health Services to help renovate the building on Railroad Avenue in Round Lake.

“The Frontline Care Center will be life-changing to those that serve and protect us when they need it most,” said Sandy Hart, Lake County Board chair. “We are proud to support our incredible first responders and the estimated 100,000 active, reserve and retired military service members and their families who live in Lake County.”

The Frontline Care Center will be a safe and confidential space where active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, telecommunicators and their families can seek services from providers and peers who have lived experience within these occupations.

“We have so many people to thank, from Bruce Johnson at Nicasa to Chief Greg Formica with the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District who helped bring this project to reality,” said John Wasik, Lake County Board member for District 6. “I was honored to support this project. I personally knew a young public servant who took his life. It is my hope that this new service will help to save and improve the lives of our first responders who serve and protect us 24/7 throughout Lake County.”

“It’s no secret suicide rates among veterans and first responders are climbing across America,” said Andrew Tangen, superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County. “Having a local walk-in center where our most vulnerable veterans and first responders can seek immediate treatment will be a game-changer.”

“Our first responders and veterans face some of the most dangerous conditions, devoting their lives to serve and protect our communities. We want to ensure they can receive the care and support they deserve to help improve their quality of life,” said Esiah Campos, Lake County Board member for District 16.

Family members who are close to first responders and veterans often are the first to notice they are facing a behavioral health challenge. They too experience barriers to accessing services because of stigma, burden, confidentiality, privacy, a lack of awareness and increased isolation.

“My team and I are here to help them get the most out of their care to achieve their goals and overcome patterns that go unseen,” said Cindy McKnight, owner of Living Pono Counseling and executive director of the Frontline Care Center.

Among the partners that support the center is the 100 Club of Illinois. The organization proactively supports the behavioral health needs of first responders and their families through resources and training.

“We look forward to continuing to serve our hero populations with our partners in Nicasa, Living Pono Counseling and the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County at the Frontline Care Center,” said Caitlyn Brennan, chief executive officer of the 100 Club of Illinois.

If you or a loved one are a service member, veteran or first responder who would like to learn more about assistance, contact the Frontline Care Center at info@frontlinecarecenter.org or 847-201-7095.

Any resident, including first responders, veterans and their families, facing a crisis can access the Lake County Health Department’s Crisis Care Program. Crisis Counselors are available 24 hours a day at 847-377-8088 and walk-in services are available.