BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION
The Will County Health Department provides Behavioral Health Services to adults, children and adolescents.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION INFORMATION
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
About The Behavioral Health Division
The Will County Health Department Behavioral Health division provides client-focused, community-based services in accordance with current clinical knowledge and accepted best-practices and standards of care. Behavioral Health empowers the persons they serve in a manner which is ethnically and culturally appropriate. Behavioral Health builds on the strengths, needs, abilities and preferences of the persons they serve.
Do you or does someone you know who may be in crisis, need mental health help? Not sure?
Call WCHD Behavioral Health at
815-727-8521
Our Philosophy Of Treatment
The Will County Health Department follows a philosophy of behavioral health treatment.
- Empower persons served, have a recovery focus and provide services in a manner which is ethnically and culturally appropriate
- Build on the strengths, needs, abilities and preferences of the person served
- Assist the person served in functioning in the community to the fullest extent possible
- Coordinate services with other community care providers and emphasize continuity of care
- Protect the rights of the person served and to assist in advocating for his/her rights
- Provide services in accordance with current clinical knowledge and accepted best-practices and standards of care
- Services are client-focused and community-based)
Access, Orientation & Registration Process
Intake/Orientation Groups are provided for new clients requesting services through Central Intake. Our staff ensures prompt, nondiscriminatory access to services by evaluating your needs. You then will be scheduled for a first appointment with a clinician and/or provided a referral for needed services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Do you have questions about our behavioral health division? Please see our frequently asked questions for answers.
Is therapy religion based?
Behavioral Health therapy is not religion-based but is tailored to each individual ‘s preference.
Is therapy available in the home?
Services are only available in the home for individuals receiving Mobile Crisis Response, 590 Crisis Care and PATH programs services.
Can I see a therapist from another agency while being a client of Will County?
We take a holistic approach to services for the most effective care. Our clients receive services from the agency clinicians within our scope services. If the individual is assessed to need a service we do not provide, the clinician will provide referrals for outside resources and care coordination.
Do you help with accessing insurance and/or government benefits?
Yes, we can coordinate with our the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Counselors at the Will County Community Health Center who will assist individuals in applying for Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care and Private Insurance.
Will my preferences be considered when assigning a therapist?
We will make every attempt to take into consideration individual preferences when assigning therapists.
How soon will I be able to see the doctor?
Children and Adolescents will be able to see the agency psychiatrist within 1-2 weeks of registration for services.
How often will I be seen?
The agency bases the frequency of visits upon the level of care and need.
What number do I call if I am in crisis?
Adults in crisis can call 911
How do I reschedule/cancel appointment?
Adults
To cancel or reschedule an appointment for adults call (815)727-8521 (press 3) and leave a message.
Child and adolescent
To cancel or reschedule an appointment for child and adolescent call (815)727-8521 (press 6) and leave a message about the cancellation or need to reschedule.
I have a question about my bill, whom should I call?
The Reimbursement staff will answer all Billing questions, call and leave a message at(815)727-8521 (press 4) Someone will return your call within 24hrs.
Who do I notify if my insurance changes?
Let your therapist know of any change in your insurance ASAP. They will work with you and our billing staff regarding the change in insurance and any change in insurance fees.
How do I request records?
Speak with your therapist who will help with this. Remember no information is provided without your written consent. You may also call (815) 727-8521 (press 5) and request to speak to Medical Records staff.
Can my child’s grandmother bring him to his therapy appointments?
Other individuals can bring minors to their appointments, but no information will be shared unless appropriate releases are signed.
What forms of public transportation are in the area I can use to get to my visits?
The Will County Health Department is on the Pace Bus Route 504. The route can be obtained at pacebus.com/route/504
Still have a question? Please call us at
Behavioral Health Programs
The Will County Health Department Behavioral Health division has multiple programs to serve the residents of Will County.
Adult Outpatient Mental Health Program
The program provides outpatient mental health services for those experiencing psychiatric and/or psychological problems along with those living with chronic and persistent mental illness. These services are offered primarily through individual counseling/therapy and case management. Psychiatric evaluations and psychiatric medication management are also clinical services that are available.
Child & Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Program
The Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Program is a community based, culturally competent mental health outreach model that serves children and adolescents ages 3-17 with symptoms of serious emotional disorders. The system of care delivery is child-centered and family-focused and the types of services provided are dictated by the needs of the child and family.
Learn More about Child & Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health
590 Crisis Care Program
Our 590 Crisis Care Program is to help link individuals to social services that will address their needs while reducing the number of unneeded hospitalizations. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the program provides teams to respond to psychiatric crisis referrals in the community and offers community-based interventions and stabilization where the individual is located, at home, work, school or anywhere else in the community.
Homeless Outreach (PATH Program)
The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) assists individuals in the community struggling with mental health and substance issues who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The PATH outreach program is designed to serve people who have difficulty accessing services.
Mobile Crisis Response
Mobile Crisis Response responds to psychiatric crisis in the community at large 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Screenings and assessments are provided to children, adolescents and adults prior to any admission to a hospital for inpatient psychiatric care. The program is designed to achieve crisis symptom reduction, stabilization, and restoration of clients to their previous level of functioning.
Substance Use Treatment & Recovery Services
Our Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Services are designed to assist all persons struggling with a substance use disorder through a variety of treatment and recovery services.
Learn More about our Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Services
Get Free Naloxone (Narcan)
The Will County Health Department’s Office of Substance Use Initiatives is committed to increasing the prevention, harm reduction and recovery services for citizens of Will County affected by the opioid epidemic. Free Nalaxone and Naloxone training is available to all individuals and agencies in Will County.
Behavioral Health Learning Opportunites
The Will County Health Department Behavioral Health division has multiple learning opportunities to serve the residents of Will County.
Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology
The Will County Health Department’s Behavioral Health Division provides clinician training for doctoral interns. The Doctoral Internship Program is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). The program’s goal is to provide an organized training and educational experience in psychology to doctoral interns and to assist participants in developing proficiencies in the provision of psychological services to adults, children, families, and legally-involved individuals, in preparation for the role of clinical psychologist
Learn more about the doctoral internship in clinical psychology
Practicum Clinical Training Program
The Clinical Training Program of the Behavioral Health Division is a proud member of both APPIC (Association of Postdoctoral and Internship Centers) and ACEPT (Association of Chicagoland Externship and Practicum Training). This program trains doctoral interns and practicum students from the numerous universities and professional schools in the Chicagoland area, from all parts of the United States and other countries. The training program serves adults, children, and adolescents with serious emotional illness, and often chronic mental illness.
Learn More about the training for Doctoral Interns and Practicum Students