Regional Family Leadership and Support
Regional Family Leadership and Support Grant Program
Illinois became a nationwide leader in addressing children’s mental health when it enacted the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Act of 2003, which created the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) and charged it with developing a statewide strategic plan to reform the Illinois children’s mental health (CMH) system. The strategic plan was completed and submitted to Governor Rod Blagojevich on June 30, 2005. In the plan, the Partnership lays out a detailed roadmap for creating a comprehensive and coordinated children’s mental health system. A key recommendation from the Plan is to promote ongoing family/consumer participation in operations, policymaking and resource decisions regarding the Illinois children’s mental health system at the state, regional and local level. This recommendation will be supported through actions steps including: (1) mobilize, train and support family/caregivers and consumers to become key advocates for their children and the Illinois CMH system; and (2) ensure that substantial family/caregivers and consumers are involved in any organized CMH effort or leadership entity.
The Illinois Violence Prevention Authority (IVPA) is implementing this Request for Proposals (RFP) on behalf of the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) in order to support regional capacity to develop family leadership and support infrastructure. IVPA accepted applications from family support and/or advocacy organizations; local or regional collaborations with a focus on children’s mental health; and children’s mental health service providers. A total of three awards, one each in three of the five Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health (DHS,DMH) regions, in grants ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 for the period of January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009 has been funded. It was intended to fund these projects statewide, however, there is only sufficient funding for three (3) sites at this point.
The main goals of the initiative are twofold:
- Develop a statewide structure for multi-agency partnerships that promote parent/caretaker leadership and involvement.
- Coordinate support, resources, training and information for parents and caregivers to enhance understanding of their children’s mental health needs.
Grantees will have the opportunity to participate in groundbreaking family collaborative efforts by developing the regional infrastructure necessary to fully realize the potential for family leadership in Illinois. Grantees will become a regional leader in transforming the manner in which families participate in and are provided information about the children’s mental health system, enhance linkages between other family support programs, and increase knowledge regarding available regional supports and services.
Region 2
Janet Wattles Center, Rockford
Phone:(815)968-9300
Email: fware@janetwattles.org
Website: http://janetwattles.org
Region 3
Mental Health America of Illinois Valley, Peoria
Phone: (309)692-1766
Email: mhaiv@mhaiv.org
Website: http://www.mhaiv.org
Region 5
Community Counseling Center, Alton
Phone: (618)462-2331
Email: klsopronyi@cccnmc.org
Website: http://www.cccnmc.org
