Historically, McLean County has lacked behavioral health resources for youth. It’s acknowledged this with the Mental Health Action Plan, and consultant TriWest pointed out the need for youth-oriented crisis services last year.
All of this may soon change now that the county is putting $2.1 million toward addressing youth and adolescent mental health. Funding is coming from a Department of Health and Human Services grant. It’s set to last four years.
They're calling the initiative the McLean County System of Care. The stated goal is to expand and improve infrastructure and service to youth between ages zero and 21 in the area who have serious mental health concerns, as well as their families.
Partnering with the county of the initiative is the Center for Youth and Family Solutions, The Baby Fold, the McLean County Center for Human Services, and the Regional Office of Education to get this work done.
General plans outlined so far include decreasing youth behavioral health crises, increasing access to care, improving care coordination across providers, and improving overall health outcomes.
