The idea of a Twin City recovery center for people struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse is the focus of a community survey.
Looking for guidance, Cathleen Hays has created a survey to find out what McLean County residents think about the proposal. Hays is a recovery project coordinator with Illinois Recovery Corps.
She said the survey, which ends July 1, targets four specific demographics: people recovering from substance abuse; individuals impacted by loved ones with abuse and/or mental health concerns; those looking for help; and other concerned community members.
Hays said the survey’s top priority is determining community interest.
“It’s got to have community buy-in,” said Hays. “It’s got to be backed by the community, because if it’s not, there’s no point.”
The online survey also asks respondents about their desires for services within a hypothetical recovery center. Hays said it also delves into personal challenges with mental health and substance abuse.
She said it’s unclear whether the recovery center would have a clinical treatment component akin to the recently-closed medically monitored detox program operated by Chestnut Health Services.
“There’s multiple pathways to recovery. There’s multiple ways for starting an organization,” said Hays. “Some of the organizations I’ve looked at in my research do have a clinical treatment component. But that doesn’t have to be the case in Bloomington.”
Chestnut still offers residential and outpatient treatment for adults and outpatient care for adolescents,
according to Chestnut spokesperson Lori Laughlin.
Hays said funding for the recovery center would come from grants, fundraising events and donors.
She said the McLean County Center for Human Services wants to take on development of this type of organization, adding there is no timeline for when a community recovery center might be created.
