Health & Human Services
HUMAN SERVICE RESOURCES
As the local mental health authority, the Evanston Mental Health (708) Board is responsible for ensuring that there are effective mental health programs in Evanston for people who have, or are at-risk of having, mental and emotional disorders or problems, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse problems. Additionally, the Board is responsible for supporting broad-based human services.
Annually, the MHB determines its goals and objectives, and develops funding guidelines, criteria and priorities. Every fall, the Board reviews and evaluates funding proposals from not-for-profit agencies, and allocates City funds to the program areas identified above. The MHB monitors and evaluates its funded programs to ensure that they are accessible, effective and responsive to the needs of Evanston's residents. An annual contract is written; data is collected from each funded program monthly and quarterly; and agencies are monitored for contract compliance.
In the FY07-08 City Budget, the MHB is funding 25 programs at 18 different agencies. The agencies and a description of their services are listed below. For additional information about the MHB-funded programs, there are links to each agency’s email or web page, where available.
If you would like information about the Mental Health Board’s funding process and procedures, contact Harvey Saver, Assistant Director, Mental Health Services, at 847.448.8053 or hsaver@cityofevanston.org. In addition, information and referrals are available about other mental health or human service programs, as well as assistance with any problems in related areas.
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Center for Independent Futures
743 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: 847-328-2044
www.independentfutures.com
Email: center@independentfutures.com
Agency Overview
The Center for Independent Futures (CIF) is a not-for-profit organization that develops innovative partnerships to create product and service models that provide adults with disabilities and their families the skills and opportunities to realize full lives. The agency uses proprietary processes to establish sustainable solutions through community living options, personal networks, lifelong planning and education. CIF provides support for families in establishing Community Living Option; assistance and training for families that are working through transition periods; assessments and training for skill development for independent living; and Full-Life Future Planning.
Full Life Model Evanston High School Outreach Program
Center for Independent Futures (CIF) is providing an interactive, goal-oriented future planning service to Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students with disabilities through the Full Life Model Evanston High School Outreach Program. Full Life Future Planning is a collaborative process that is being implemented in conjunction with Social Services at ETHS. An individual and the members of his/her support network are actively involved to create an action plan to build sustainability into a full and engaging life.
The program is a pilot initiative of CIF, ETHS and the MHB to support students with disabilities as they plan their futures beyond high school and develop a transition plan into community life. CIF is bringing its resources and planning tools to ETHS students in their classroom setting. Students will assemble a team of individuals who will offer support and encouragement as the students complete the components of the Full Life Future Planning model.
Child Care Center of Evanston, Inc.
1840 Asbury Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.869.2680
www.childcarecenterofevanston.org
Email: robertsevansh@childcarecenterofevanston.org
Agency Overview
The Child Care Center of Evanston’s mission is to strengthen families by providing high quality, affordable childcare for their children. The agency’s highest priority is to help children from all socioeconomic backgrounds gain the skills they need to succeed in school while fostering the shared community values of cooperation and respect for one another.
Home Day Care
Home Day Care is a network of family childcare homes licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services. The homes provide childcare for children between the ages of six weeks and three years. The Child Care Center of Evanston refers families to the Home Day Care facilities with whom they contract for services. Enrichment services available through the Home Day Care program include Roving Readers who read to children in the homes once per week, Roving Musicians who lead music and movement sessions in the homes on a weekly basis, as well as a Child Development Specialist.
Childcare Network of Evanston
1416 Lake Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.475.2661
www.childcarenetworkofevanston.org
Email: arntsonm@childcarenetworkofevanston.org
Agency Overview
The Childcare Network of Evanston (CNE) coordinates the activities of the daycare centers and daycare homes in Evanston. The CNE provides information to Evanston families seeking child care and early education, as well as leadership and support for child care providers in the Evanston community. CNE provides a number of services to children and their families at child care sites, including mental health services, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. CNE makes financial assistance available through a community wide scholarship fund to assist families in accessing high quality childcare.
Learning Together
This program is designed to provide services to children with special needs within childcare settings. The program brings mental health clinicians into childcare centers to provide consultation to teachers and direct services to children who are experiencing behavioral and emotional problems in the childcare setting.
City-wide Child Care Scholarships
Scholarships are provided to ensure that all families have access to high quality childcare. The scholarships provide aid to working families ineligible for state subsidies but not able to afford the entire cost of care.
Connections for the Homeless
2010 Dewey Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.475.7070
www.cfthinc.org
Email: mrc@cfthinc.org
Agency Overview
Connections for the Homeless has helped people deal with the effects of hunger, poverty, and homelessness since it was established in 1984. By offering a variety of services and assistance, the organization creates numerous opportunities for individuals and families to make changes that can lead to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. Programs include: street outreach in Evanston with information and referral services; transitional shelter for homeless women and men who are committed to their own health and recovery; and permanent and transitional housing resources for homeless and at-risk families in Evanston and Northfield Township. The agency also manages and provides homeless prevention funds for the community. Connections for the Homeless encourages community involvement in meeting the needs of persons who are homeless through a variety of volunteer opportunities, internships, and education.
EntryPoint
Hotline: 800.433.6691
Available seven days a week, 365 days a year, EntryPoint is a street outreach, information and referral program serving Evanston’s homeless population. The program provides a point of contact for persons who are homeless and living on the streets or without a permanent place to stay with mainstream resources, housing, food, mental health and medical resources. For those individuals who want to escape the street, it is also a gateway to Connections’ transitional shelter and housing programs.
Evanston Community Defender
828 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.492.1410
Email: ecdo828@earthlink.net
Agency Overview
The Evanston Community Defender Office (ECDO), Inc. is a community based not-for-profit human service agency that provides legal and social work services to low-income residents of Evanston. The agency provides services to youth age 21 and younger and their families. Legal and social work services are combined to provide a multi-disciplinary system through which youth and their families can identify and begin to work through the issues that led up to their present legal crisis.
Legal Service Program
The Legal Services Program provides low-income youth and families with legal assistance in matters within the juvenile justice and juvenile welfare systems, which include school systems, adult court, and state code agencies. Educational advocacy is provided for assistance with special education issues and disciplinary matters. All cases that are opened require the services necessary for a litigated case. Additionally, support is provided for related issues that require a range of services, from administrative, brief negotiations to legal advice and referral.
Social Work Service Program
The Social Work Service Program offers crisis intervention counseling, outreach support, and case management services to young offenders. Staff also provides delinquency prevention services to identify youth at risk for involvement in the juvenile delinquency system. Participants in the program receive case management and outreach, aggression replacement therapy and brief strategic family therapy.
Family Focus
2010 Dewey Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.475.7570
www.family-focus.org
Email: Sandra.hill@family-focus.org
Agency Overview
Family Focus Evanston is located in the Weissbourd-Holmes Family Focus Center. The agency offers programs to empower families. Programs include services for adolescents, pregnant and parenting teens, their children and extended family members through the Teen Parent, Primary Prevention and Grandparents Programs. Family Focus helps move young people towards a successful future, helps families thrive as their children change, and sets the foundation for a community in which children and families can grow.
Pregnant and Parenting Teens Program
The Teen Parent Program offers a comprehensive program of medical, educational and support services to teen parents and their children. The program offers: peer support group meetings; home visiting and case management; workshops on health, child development, substance abuse and nutrition; and parent-child activities. The Peer Education Program helps clients learn about sexual health and responsibility and share their knowledge with high school classes in collaboration with Evanston Township High School, providing participants with an opportunity to learn leadership and public speaking skills.
Primary Prevention
The Primary Prevention Program provides positive alternatives to premature sexual activity, pregnancy, gang involvement and substance abuse for boys and girls grades 3-12. The program provides; abstinence, drug and AIDS awareness workshops; tutoring and homework assistance; cultural and educational programs; self-development and leadership workshops; and artistic curriculum (choral, drama and crafts).
Housing Options
1132 Florence Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: 847.866.6144
www.housingopt.org
Email: info@housingopt.org
Agency Description
Housing Options’ mission is to develop housing opportunities for adults recovering from mental illness, provide a network of support services so that each person can live as independently as possible, and advance understanding of mental illnesses and the importance of supportive housing. The agency provides affordable housing and mental health and social work services to adults recovering from chronic mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. Housing Options residents live in fully-furnished, affordable apartments and receive support from a team of case managers, social workers, psychiatrists, and a nurse. Housing Options currently owns 6 buildings and leases an additional 20 apartments in Evanston.
Supportive Housing and Information Program (SHIP)
The Supportive Housing Information Program (SHIP) provides permanent housing in apartments scattered throughout Evanston for individuals recovering from mental illnesses. Clients have access to independent living skills training; counseling and case management; education on managing mental illness; social and recreational programs; linkage to community resources; and medication monitoring.
Residential Services
Home First and Bell House are two residences that provide permanent housing that are managed by Housing Options. They house a total of 15 residents, all of whom are recovering from chronic mental illnesses. The services residents receive in these programs include independent living skills, counseling and case management, education about managing mental illness, social and recreational programs, and linkage to appropriate community resources.
Infant Welfare Society of Evanston
2200 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: 847.491.9650
www.infantwelfaresocietyofevanston.com
Email: Megankashner@iwse.org
Agency Overview
The Infant Welfare Society of Evanston (IWSE) is committed to the care and early education of infants and toddlers and to supporting their families’ efforts to be self sufficient providers and effective parents. The agency provides full-day child care services as well as supportive services and parenting support and education to families who are living at risk and who are parenting infants and toddlers under the age of three. IWSE acts as an advocate, care-taker, and champion for children who live in poverty, who exhibit developmental delays, who live in situations of homelessness or domestic violence, and/or who are parented by teen parents.
Teen Baby Nursery
Teen Baby Nursery (TBN) serves pregnant and parenting teens and pre-teens and their infants and toddlers. TBN helps young parents graduate from high school, make post-graduation plans, and become effective parents while providing early education and intervention to their high-risk children. The program provides prenatal care and parenting workshops that assist young parents as they prepare for and face the challenges of parenthood. TBN provides full-day childcare services to the children of Evanston teens who attend middle and high schools. In addition, prenatal support services are provided to teens whose children may or not come to be enrolled in TBN’s childcare services after birth.
Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago
828 Davis St.
Suite 201
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.475.3703
www.lafchicago.org
Email: wkolen@lafchicago.org
Agency Overview
Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (LAFMC) attempts to ensure that low-income and elderly individuals and families can secure legal protection against injustice in non-criminal matters, obtain due process of law and obtain equal protection of the laws. LAFMC seeks to promote knowledge of the law and of legal processes, to combat poverty, and to provide counsel to people and groups seeking these ends.
Evanston Legal Services
Evanston Legal Services provides free legal aid in non-criminal matters to low-income and elderly (over 59) individuals living in Evanston. This program gives low-income and elderly residents of Evanston access to the justice system by serving as advisors, counselors and advocates.
Metropolitan Family Services
820 Davis Street
Suite 450
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.328.7400
www.metrofamily.org
Email: stummes@metrofamily.org
Agency Overview
Metropolitan Family Services offers a comprehensive range of programs and services designed to encourage family strengths and help families through difficult times. Metropolitan Family Services provides counseling and other supportive services to families and individuals, as well as impacts the wider community through community development and social policy efforts.
Family Support and Prevention
The Family Support and Prevention program is an intensive, home and community based program that works with families who are at risk of entry into the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect of their children. Clients within this program receive individual and family counseling, advocacy and case management services to learn more effective parenting skills and to access needed resources. These services are provided in locations that are most accessible to families including home, school, community and office locations.
General Counseling
The General Counseling program supports and strengthens families and individuals through counseling services that are offered in their community-based centers, clients’ homes, and school settings. Issues commonly addressed in counseling include grief, trauma, family/couple and/or parent/child relationship problems, child and adolescent school performance and behavior problems, work performance concerns, substance abuse, individual and family developmental concerns and family violence. Counseling services are available to low-income and moderate income clients on a sliding fee scale.
North Shore Senior Center
840 Dodge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: 847.864.3721
www.nssc.org
Email: pthomas@nssc.org
Agency Overview
North Shore Senior Center is a multi-purpose community resource and social service agency committed to providing comprehensive services for older adults. The agency supports their independence and well-being; enhances their dignity and self respect; and, promotes their participation in all aspects of community life. Services are available to individuals aged 60 and older and their families, regardless of income.
Evanston/Skokie Valley Senior Services
Evanston/Skokie Valley Senior Services provides social services to older adults and their families. Services include case management, counseling, support, respite care, advocacy, community education, information and assistance. All services are confidential and are provided at no charge, though donations are always welcome and appreciated. Clients are seen in their own homes or the program’s offices by a professional staff of case managers and counselors.
PEER Services
906 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.492.1778
Fax: 847.492.0320
www.peerservices.org
Email: kmahoney@peerservices.org
Agency Overview
PEER Services works to prevent and alleviate the problems that substance abuse causes for individuals, families and the entire Evanston community. PEER Services’ programs include prevention, community education and youth early intervention programs in addition to outpatient treatment services for adolescents and adults.
Adolescent Treatment Programs
The Adolescent Treatment Program assists young people who have been using and abusing substances to develop and maintain a chemical-free lifestyle and a dependable support system. PEER Services provides drug education, individual, group and family counseling, and parent support as well as aftercare services for youth returning to the community from inpatient treatment settings.
Adult Treatment Program
This program assists clients in addressing the behavioral, psychological, and physical components of chemical addiction. Specific services include assessment and referral, individual counseling, group and family therapy, individualized case plans, case management, drug testing and, when indicated, medication to facilitate withdrawal from opiates. Services are administered by certified substance abuse counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses and family therapists.
Dimensions Program
Dimensions provides high quality services to individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Services include outreach to identify dually diagnosed individuals in Evanston, screening and assessment, individual counseling and case management, discharge and aftercare plans, in addition to training and educational programs for health and human services professionals in Evanston.
Youth Early Intervention Program
This program serves to intervene in the progression from youth substance experimentation to substance addiction by actively promoting personal growth and alternatives to substance use. Substance abuse assessments are available to assist youth and their families with early identification of problems. PEER Services offers ongoing groups as well as providing educational services through other youth serving agencies within the community.
SHORE
Regenstein Center
4232 Dempster Street
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: (847) 982-2030
Fax: (847)982-2039
www.shoreinc.org
Email: jg.shore@sbcglobal.net
Agency Overview:
SHORE's mission is to improve the quality of life for citizens with developmental disabilities. SHORE provides a community-based educational program; early intervention; children and adult in-home respite care; home-based services coordination; and, residential and vocational services to residents in Evanston, the north side of Chicago and the surrounding north suburbs. Currently, SHORE serves nearly 400 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Lois Lloyd Center
SHORE provides Day Programming for individuals with developmental disabilities at the Lois Lloyd Center. The program provides a supervised weekday setting for individuals with severe/profound developmental disabilities and training focused on improving activities of daily living, self-care, socialization, and pre-vocational skill development. The Center also offers Early Intervention for children birth to three with developmental delays through individual and group developmental therapy.
Residential Services
SHORE provides quality Residential Services to adults with developmental disabilities of all levels of functioning, with the exception of continuous skilled nursing care. The agency assists adults with developmental disabilities to live independent of their families. Residents attend day training and vocational programs, or are employed in the community during the week. Services provided residentially include leisure activities, training in independent living skills, social skills, and activities of daily living. SHORE also provides supportive services to individuals in their own home, including respite care services.
Thresholds
8050 Monticello
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: 847.679.5610
www.thresholds.com
Email: pilling@thresholds.org
Agency Overview
Thresholds’ mission is to provide a broad range of rehabilitation recovery and services to persons with mental illness in the community. Thresholds works to improve the quality of life for persons with mental illness through the prevention of unnecessary hospitalization, vocational rehabilitation, social rehabilitation and recovery, educational completion, independent living, physical health and well being. Thresholds provides assessment, psychiatric medication management, case management, vocational placement, vocational support and other services to the community.
Transitions
Transitions is the Thresholds’ local Center of Recovery, providing a comprehensive program of wellness and recovery services to persons with mental illness in Evanston. Transitions provides therapeutic support, psychiatric services, case management, educational services, and job training as well as housing. The goal of the program is to create opportunities to empower persons with mental illness to live with dignity and independence.
Trilogy
1618 Orrington Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847.733.0003
Email: WFRANCIS@trilogyinc.org
Agency Overview
Trilogy, Inc. is a provider of behavioral health care services, with a specific emphasis on psychiatric disabilities. Goals of the services offered by Trilogy include reducing consumers’ utilization of public and private inpatient services, assisting consumers in their integration into the community, and developing independent living skills.
Psychosocial Activities Program
The Psychosocial Activities Program provides opportunities for adults in Evanston who have severe and persistent mental illness to participate in twice weekly check in groups and activities in the community. Participants acquire skills in the areas of leisure time planning, socialization, use of public transportation, financial planning and execution of activities.
The Youth Job Center of Evanston, Inc.
1114 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847)864-5627
e-mail: ssmith@youthjobcenter.org
Agency Overview
Youth Job Center (YJC) offers Evanston young people varied levels of support through all phases of the employment process. The mission is to prepare youth ages 14-25 for success in the workplace. The YJC provides job-readiness, placement and employment support in partnership with employers. The Youth Job Center’s primary purpose is to help local youth obtain and maintain employment; increase their income potential; gain meaningful work experiences and become independent, self-confident and contributing members of the community.
Core Services Program
The Core Services Program offers young people the resources, support and training necessary to attain immediate employment. The program assesses the client’s skills for pre-employment needs, and provides core competency job training workshops. Once they are job ready, clients meet with a job counselor to start their employment search and develop an individualized employment plan. Job counselors utilize the YJC’s extensive employer database to refer them to jobs that match their skills and interests.
Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc. (YOU)
1027 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: 847.866.1200
www.youevanston.org
Email: don.baker@youevanston.org
Agency Overview
Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc. (YOU) is a youth service agency that reaches out to young people ages 8 to 18 and their families in response to their ever-changing needs for support, guidance and advocacy. It is YOU’s goal that all young people acquire the skills, self-confidence and opportunity to participate fully, freely and responsibly in the life of the community. YOU partners with a number of area schools to identify and connect with students who would benefit from the services YOU provides.
Youth and Family Services
The Youth and Family Services program is a year round, school and neighborhood-based program. The program provides academic assistance; life skills education; social skill development; sports and recreation; arts and cultural enrichment; mentoring; parent support; crisis intervention, case management; and individual, group and family counseling. All program services are provided at the agency’s seven locations.
YWCA Evanston/North Shore Domestic Violence Services
1215 Church St.
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847) 864-8445 ext. 11
Email: ksinger@ywcae-ns.org
Agency Overview
The YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s Domestic Violence Services is the only comprehensive domestic violence programs serving the northeastern metropolitan Chicago area. The agency focuses upon both immediate and long term solutions to domestic violence. The services are multi-faceted and provide support for women and their children through the YWCA’s 24 hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling services, transitional housing, legal advocacy, community outreach and educational services.
Transitional Housing & Community-Based Services Program
The Transitional Housing and Community Based Services Program’s goal is to help battered women take the next step after emergency shelter by providing stable housing and continued counseling and support for up to two years. Counselors focus on helping women attain the tools, resources and both emotional and economic self-sufficiency to live free from their abuser. The program provides transitional housing and bi-lingual community based services for non-residential domestic violence clients.
For additional information and referrals for individuals with questions mental health and human service programs contact Harvey Saver, Assistant Director, Mental Health Services, at 847.448.8053 or hsaver@cityofevanston.org.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 
Human Service Resources