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FAQs

WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT & COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

Family Health Services FAQ

WIC Program FAQs

How do I apply for WIC?

Please call to schedule an appointment for you to come in to our office. You will need to show proof of identity, household income and address.

Who qualifies for WIC?

Pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding women and children from birth to age 5 that meet income guidelines.

Do I need an appointment?

It is best to have an appointment. Please call WIC for an appointment at 815-727-8524.

Does WIC take walk-in patients?

We take walk-ins daily as our staffing allows.

What are the WIC hours?

Joliet
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8:30 – 4:15,

Wednesday
10:30 – 6:15.

Bolingbrook
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8:30 – 4:15,

Wednesday
10:30 – 6:15

Monee
Tuesday 8:30 – 4:15

Wilmington
Call the Joliet office for more information or to make an appointment: 815-727-8524

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Each woman, infant or child that needs WIC services must come to the appointment to be certified for WIC benefits. To get certified for benefits, you need to show proof of identity, household income and address.

Immunizations FAQs

How do I get immunizations for my children?

Please call the immunization clinic for an appointment. The number is 815-740-8143 or 877-942-5807.

AOK Early Childhood Network FAQs

What is the AOK Network?

The Will County All Our Kids (AOK) Early Childhood Network is a community-based collaboration which works to create and support long-lasting partnerships which empower families with knowledge and community resources promoting healthy development and lifelong success. The network is made up of numerous community partners, parents and providers.

How can I become a member of the AOK Network?

The Network meets monthly on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30-11:00. For more information about the meeting location and additional information contact the AOK Coordinator at 815-727-8864 or rdeang@willcountyhealth.org

Where can I get my 0-3 year old a free developmental screening?

Developmental screenings provide parents and professionals with information on whether a child’s development is similar to children of the same age. Screenings cannot diagnose but can target areas of concern that may indicate further assessments. The screening tool used is called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). It is a parent completed tool that has the parent/caregiver answer questions regarding their child’s development. To find a find a screening near you visit http://swgk.org/?page_id=701

Tobacco Control And Prevention FAQs

How do I submit a smoking violation complaint?

Complaints can be filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health on the Web at www.smoke-free.illinois.gov or by calling the toll-free Complaint Line at 866-973-4646.

How can I find a quit smoking program?

Freedom From Smoking: Silver Cross Hospital (New Lenox, IL) offers the American Lung Association’s proven Freedom from Smoking program. The seven-week class will be taught by Silver Cross exercise physiologist and health coach Charles Murray. To register for the Freedom from Smoking program at Silver Cross Hospital, visit www.silvercross.org.

Quitline The Illinois Tobacco Quitline is a free telephonic or phone resource for individuals wanting to quit tobacco or tobacco-related products. The Quitline’s counselors — nurses, respiratory therapists, and tobacco-cessation specialists — all have at least 25 years of medical experience and attend accredited, renowned nicotine dependence training programs to become certified in tobacco-cessation therapies. They also are qualified to offer guidance in lung health and disease-related comorbidities, in addition to tobacco cessation.

1-866-QUIT-YES (1-866-784-8937)

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HIV/PREP FAQs

Should I seek HIV counseling and testing?

You should consider taking an HIV test if: you are a man who has had sex with other men, you have shared injection needles or other equipment, you have had sex with one or more partners whose sex and drug-using behaviors are unknown to you, you have had sex with someone who has HIV or who falls into one of the above groups, or you or your partner are pregnant or considering pregnancy.

Where can I get more information on AIDS and HIV testing?

Talk to your health care provider, or contact the Will County Health Department for information or to make an appointment for testing at 815-727-8830. You can also call the IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) toll-free HIV/AIDS and STD Hotline at 1-800-243-2437; or TTY (hearing impaired use only) at 1-800-782-0423.

Where can I get PrEP and how can I get help paying for it?

If you think you may be at risk for HIV, talk to your health care provider about whether PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is right for you. You can contact the Will County Health Department for information or to make an appointment at 815-727-8830. In addition, the IDPH HIV AIDS Section has launched a new PrEP Medication Assistance program that may provide last resort assistance. To access the PrEP4Illinois website for an online application please go to PrEP4Illinois.com and click on “start an application.”

Health Fair And Event Appearances FAQs

I’m planning a health fair. Whom do I contact to request Will County Health Department participation?

Contact WCHD Public Information Officer Steve Brandy at 815-727-5088.

Environmental Health Services FAQ

How do I apply for a temporary food permit?

A link to our Temporary Event application is located under the Forms section of our website. Or you can come into any of our 3 locations to complete the application and submit your payment. You can mail in your application with fee or submit payment online at www.govpaynow.com Pay Code Location (PLC code) 7078.

What do I need to do to open a restaurant, food store, food truck?

Before you can open a new facility, it must go through a plan review process. Links to all our applications, as well as the WCHD Construction Guide is located under the Forms section of our website.

Can I pay online?

YES. www.govpaynow.com Pay Code Location (PLC #7078). Please include your invoice number (IN#) if you have one, if not any number can be filled in. Always include what you are paying for in the comment section.

How do I file a complaint on a food service? Property?

Please hover over “Programs and Services” at the top of the Health Department website, select “Environmental Health,” and then click on the “File a Complaint” icon; or contact any of our 3 offices. Please provide as much information as possible, including addresses, dates, times, and your contact information so an inspector can follow up.

Where can I obtain food manager or food handler training?

At this time the WCHD EH does not offer either of these trainings, more information can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/food-safety/fssmc or

http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/food-safety/food-handler-training

For these or any other questions, please call one of our environmental health offices:

Joliet 815-727-8490
NBO 630-679-7030
EBO 708-534-5721

Behavioral Health Services FAQ

Is therapy religion based?

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 another 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 of 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/benefits?

Yes, we offer care coordination with ACA 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?

In the event of a crisis or if you are in crisis call 911 or (815)722-3344 for the Crisis Line.

How do I reschedule/cancel an appointment?

To cancel or reschedule an appointment for adults call (815)727-8521 (press 3) and leave a message. 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 24 hrs.

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 available to help me get to my visits?

The Will County Health Department is on the Pace Bus Route 504. The route can be obtained online: http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/route_detail.asp?RouteNo=504

Community Health Center FAQ

How do I make a medical or dental clinic appointment?

Request one through our Patient Portal
Call us at 815.727.8670

Go to upper right corner of home page of Health Department website, click on “Request an Appointment,” and fill out the required fields.

Do I have to pay?

-We accept a variety of Insurances, both Private and Public (Medicaid & Medicare)

– If you have no insurance, we offer a sliding fee scale

– We do not turn any person away who does not have the ability to pay

How do I apply for the medical card?

Go to the Will County Community Health Center at 1106 Neal Avenue, Joliet to apply for the medical card.

Do you offer immunizations?

Yes, we offer all Childhood Immunizations, and Flu Shots for children and adults.

Do you have Dental Services?

Yes, for both children and adults, six days per week, appointments preferred/walk-ins welcome

How do I get in touch with my provider?

– Call 815.727.8670 and ask for your provider’s nurse

– Send a message through our Patient Portal and your provider will send a message back.

What services do you provide?

– Dental
– Comprehensive Adult Medical care
– Diabetes Specialty Clinic
– Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Medical care
– Childhood Immunizations
– Flu shots (all ages)
– Women’s health
– Family Planning
– Free Condoms
– Confidential HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease counseling and testing
– HIV prevention with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, ‘’PrEP (Truvada, the once per day pill)
– Behavioral Health (Psychiatry and Therapy)
– Psychiatric Medication Injection Clinic
– Teen Clinic: Sexual Health for persons 12 years old through 21 years old
– Medication Discount Program (340 B)
– Substance Abuse Disorder Therapy
– Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment with Vivitrol and Suboxone