Behavioral Health

The new director will need to pick up the responsibilities including managing the department, its programs, budgets, large-scale initiatives and public engagement.

A program that works to reduce caseloads at Bloomington-Normal emergency rooms and the McLean County jail has seen significant growth in the last two years. It's the Frequent User System Engagement, or FUSE program.

The McLean County Board on Thursday approved a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] and a statement of work related to the mental health and public safety fund audit.

The latest missive on the dispute between the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, and McLean County over how the county government handles shared sales tax money includes a vigorous defense of previous allegations against the county and proffers a reciprocal olive branch.

A big chunk of the counselors and social workers in McLean County just got trained in a rising therapy model that can help people overcome anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It's called Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR.

McLean County's three-year plan is the third of its kind, developed by an independent council of mental health stakeholders.

McLean County Board chair Elizabeth Johnston said the priorities in next year’s $144.5 million budget approved this week remain similar to the current year spending plan.

The McLean County Health Department is offering a virtual suicide prevention program for the community. The program aims to offer a free resource for teachers, clergy members, coaches and anyone willing to take an hour to better prepare themselves in case of a crisis.

Every Friday a group of unhoused people meets in a room at the Junction in Downtown Bloomington to write. They are part of a writing group, an effort to help the unhoused enrich their lives amid a stressful existence.

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady said the decision by the county board executive committee against approving a hiatus on sales tax sharing drives home the seriousness of the matter.