Rebecca Foley

A new program through the McLean County court system is designed to help families affected by addiction, and involved in child welfare court.

Meetings for the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council — a newly independent body that convenes area health and social service experts with government officials to discuss community behavioral health efforts in McLean County — are going private for the first time in the group’s history. Members say it should improve dialogue and get better results.

The Administrative Offices of the Illinois Courts recommended increasing the use of Assisted Outpatient Treatment across courts in the state. A recent federal grant will help McLean County get a head start.