BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
The Will County Health Department provides Behavioral Health Services to adults, children and adolescents.
ABOUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION
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 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. The Orientation Group guides the client to appropriate 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?
Therapy is only available in the home for individuals receiving Mobile Crisis Response Services.
Can I see a therapist from another agency while being a client of Will County?
In order for the most effective care, the Division of Behavioral Health requires all individuals to 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 entitlements and or benefits?
Yes, we offer care coordination with ACS Counselors at 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?
The agency takes 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. Individuals in the Mobile Crisis Response Program will be seen as their care requires.
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?
Call the Reimbursement staff and leave a message and the information at (815)727-8521 (press 4) Someone will return your call within 24hrs.
How can I be linked for psychiatric services at the community health center?
Your therapist will provide an assessment to determine if psychiatric services are needed and make a referral.
How do I request records?
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 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 online.
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
Our adult outpatient mental health program is designed to help individuals with serious mental illness function in critical life areas including: physical, emotional, social, work, family, financial etc. The goal of our adult services is to preserve and promote the emotional well-being of Will County residents, ages 18 and over, who are experiencing mental illness.
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
Community Emergency Services & Support
WAITING ON CONTENT
Learn More about Community Emergency Services & Support
Homeless Outreach
Our Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program began in 1989. The PATH Program provides services for those adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with a severe mental illness and/or a severe mental illness and a co-occurring substance use disorder.
Mobile Crisis Response
Our Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) is a life span program that provides the screening and assessment of children, adolescents and adults prior to any admission to a hospital for inpatient psychiatric care. The MCR is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Substance Use Outpatient Treatment
The Will County Health Department’s Substance Use Treatment Options Program (STOP) is designed to support the recovery, health and well-being of clients, enchance their quality of life, reduce symptoms, build resilience, restore or improve functioning and support their integration or reintegration into the community.
Substance Use Initiatives Programs
Opioid Crisis
Our Substance Use Initiatives Office is committed to increasing the prevention, harm reduction and recover service for citizens of Will County affected by the opioid epidemic. The office also distributes Narcan (Naloxone) throughout Will County.
Learn More on the Substance Use Initiatives office’s effort to combat the opioid crisis
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