Happy New Year!
As we work on solutions to our insufficient funding to support the critical services for people in need in McHenry County, the new year brings an abundance of opportunities for those in our county to access needed services of which we are committed to continuing to support.
If you are focused on a fresh start or seeking a new approach to an old challenge, attend the People In Need Forum on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McHenry County College. There you will find a wealth of resources and support available to those in need.
More than 100 exhibitors will showcase essential community resources. Information, contacts, educational material and giveaways will be offered. Make time to visit the many booths to address your area of need. You are encouraged to gather information for yourself, family and friends, and/or bring them with you!
Pick up or download the People In Need Directory. Explore the hundreds of agencies, centers and programs in McHenry County.
Come early and attend the People In Need breakout sessions presented by area professionals on key topics such as mental health; diversity, equity and inclusion; food insecurity; housing; seniors, veterans and youth needs; grief; and suicide prevention. Breakouts are offered throughout the day. Or just stop by the auditorium anytime during this event and pick up valuable information and giveaways.
Everyone faces challenges which, though not always welcome, bring us opportunities to learn, improve, and grow. The People In Need Forum is our county’s annual in-person event to learn of the local resources and support when life is difficult.
Attendance is free for People In Need, though registration is requested to manage workshop participation and lunch. Make your reservations on the website: mchenry.edu/pin/.
McHenry County Mental Health Board participates each year in the Forum along with dozens of our network partners.
If you can’t attend, some of our funded providers are highlighted below. For a full database of McHenry County Mental Health Board services, visit mc708.org or download our free mobile McHelp App, which has a directory as well as text and chat feature.
Resources available
Whether it’s helping with financial hardships, housing or food insecurity, there are resources for you in McHenry County.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northern Illinois offers financial counseling and guidance at no or low cost to address housing, debt management, student loans and budgeting.
Pioneer Center has a PADS homeless shelter in McHenry and is available 24/7 to assist with short- or long-term housing needs. Home of the Sparrow will assist homeless women and children. WARP CORPS also helps with homeless placements if you’re having difficulty accessing shelters.
Veterans in need of services for employment, housing, peer support and more can connect with Veterans Path to Hope.
In a domestic violence situation, call Turning Point.
The Specialty Courts programs through the 22nd Judicial Circuit serve those with legal issues along with mental health or substance use disorders.
Most all of our police departments in McHenry County have 24/7 access to a social worker through the sheriff’s department Police Social Worker program who can assist in getting you to the right place.
Mental health services
The Mental Health Board addresses some of the barriers in accessing and affording services/treatment by providing funded agency partners awards to significantly reduce or subsidize the cost of care for those who cannot afford it.
Sometimes limited transportation solutions to appointments are provided. Bilingual services are also available at most agencies.
For mental health services, access the following organizations: Association For Individual Development (adolescent/adult); Ascension Crystal Lake (child/adolescent counseling and PHP/IOP); Horizons Behavioral Health; Independence Health and Therapy; Pioneer Behavioral Health (adolescents/runaway/homeless youth; Rosecrance (child/adolescent/adult and child/adolescent IOP/PHP); Thresholds (adult/transitional youth); and Veterans Path to Hope (veterans).
We also fund the psychiatry and behavioral health care elements at several integrated practices to provide low-to-no-cost medical needs, including: Aunt Martha’s, Family Health Partnership Clinic and Greater Family Health.
Not sure where to turn for mental health services? The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in McHenry County can help guide you and is also a great place to find peer support and advocacy.
Substance abuse and addiction support
We have excellent resources to assist those struggling with drugs or alcohol: Mathers Recovery, New Directions, Rosecrance and Northern Illinois Recovery Center (NIRC).
The Mental Health Board provides funding for those who do not have insurance and cannot afford inpatient detox and substance use treatment at NIRC or outpatient treatment at Rosecrance.
Rosecrance and New Directions both have recovery homes in McHenry County for those needing a more supportive living environment while being engaged in intensive substance use disorder treatment.
The Other Side, the sober living bar in Crystal Lake, hosts many NA and AA meetings and is also a great support for those struggling with substance use and addiction issues.
Not sure where to go or for someone with a substance use issue who needs help now? Call A-Way-Out-Program at 815-347-0385. Leave a voicemail if it’s after 11 p.m.
Support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often require support and assistance to degrees much greater than the average population, including support for daily living, employment opportunities, community inclusion, healthcare and therapy.
Finding and maintaining employment can be particularly challenging for individuals with IDD. Clearbrook and Pioneer Center, funded agencies in our network, provide support, specialized job training and connections with businesses with accommodations in the workplace to maximize employees’ potential. Both Clearbrook and Pioneer Center also assist with group home/residential needs.
Working with school professionals is best, but Service Inc. is a funded agency that can ensure you have advocacy and screenings needed for your child. Options and Advocacy is also a good resource for support and guidance. Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association or Pioneer Center’s Day Program can provide engagement with others and physical activities.
It is important to note that individuals must get screened and receive an IDD diagnosis before the age of 18 to qualify for state-funded services.
Additional resources
We also fund an array of fun and amazing education and prevention programs.
Teens and youth can find support at Crystal Lake Teen Center: The BREAK and WARP CORPS.
Youth and Family Center provides bilingual services for teens and families.
And Live4Lali provides overdose prevention through education and training, including free Naloxone trainings and distribution.
Our funded agencies understand the specific needs and challenges faced by residents in McHenry County and are engaged in targeted initiatives, collaborations and community support to address those issues effectively.
You can help others by directing those in need to our agencies or to our McHelp App. In crisis, call the Crisis Line by dialing the 3-digit number 9-8-8. If a situation is more than a phone call can handle, a Crisis Worker can be dispatched to come onsite to assist anywhere in our community.
Funding questions
Recent news reports have presented the shortfall in sales tax funding to sustain these critical services supported by McHenry County Mental Health Board. If you are concerned about the impact of funding on these agencies, please contact your local County Board member.
Register today
For more information on People In Need Forum, or to register to attend and learn of the abundance of help available to you and your loved ones visit mchenry.edu/pin.
Remember, you are not alone!
Leonetta Rizzi is executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Board.