Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation

The first Leadership Institute for the communities selected during the 1st round of funding for the ILCHF Children's Mental Health Initiative, Building Systems of Care, Community by Community is set for for August 31 - September 2, 2010.  The lucky community is Livingston County.   A little bit about the Team and their proposed work: 

Project Name:  “Livingston County Children’s Mental Health System of Care:  Working together to serve all children and their families.”

Model:  Rural Community, School Focus

Lead Agency:   Psychological Services Center, Illinois State University

Though the 4^th largest county in Illinois in square miles, Livingston County’s total population is approximately 40,000 people, with 25-30% within the 0-19 age range and 50% living in the county seat of Pontiac.  Livingston County houses 13 school districts of which 12 of the 13 are served by the Livingston County Special Services Unit.  As such, this unit will serve as the lead for program implementation.  

The majority of the mental health services for children are locating in Pontiac, the home of the County’s only hospital, mental health center and Health Department.    

The Community Team will be engaging the barriers associated with rural service delivery, such as lack of providers, transportation and stigma.  

Yesterday, Bob Egan and I had the opportunity to tour the newly constructed Children's Hosptil of Illinois/OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.  What a beautiful facility with state of the art equipment!   Very impressed with the commitment to excellence not only in facilities but in services to the children served at this top notch institution.     Thank you Dr. Saving for the tour.

To our partners in ensuring all children in IL have the opportuunity to grow up healthy! Welcome to our new communication tool. Hope you enjoy our posts as well as the opportunity to provide feedback to ILCHF. Happy blogging! Tammy Lemke President