Mental Health

The YWCA of McLean County is ending a nearly 40-year-old program that coordinates volunteers for nonprofit organizations in the community. This comes in the face of changing federal priorities and the Trump administration's campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] and its "War on Woke."

The exhibition is on view at the McLean County Arts Center alongside the center's popular emerging artist exhibition—something curator George Woodworth calls "huge" for the artists' journeys through and out of addiction.

In a mix of local, national and international affairs, kids wonder how the news of the world will affect them. Stephanie Barisch is a mental health professional guiding parents on how to talk to their children about news events.

There are further signs of a thaw in the shared sales tax dispute between the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal on one side and McLean County government on the other. The county board has approved a three month suspension of paying sales tax money from the city and town.

Senior leadership from the Bloomington-Normal YMCA traveled to Washington, D.C. to join the national coalition's advocacy days. YMCA wants full funding for childcare funding and health promotions, among other priorities. At home, the BN YMCA is hoping to expand its services.

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

The McLean County Health Department will offer a one-day training session focused on the needs of adults aged 65 and older. It will guide trainees on how to approach, listen to and assess the needs of seniors they interact with.

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 shift is partly a response to changes in the nonprofit's grant funding. YWCA said it's also an opportunity to better assist with pre-release job training for incarcerated individuals.

Chestnut Health Systems and Lighthouse Institute are recruiting 48 families to participate in their new research study on how to provide young adults and their families with alternative forms of substance use support.