Human Support Services (HSS), a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, was founded in 1973 to provide a local source of mental health services in Monroe County, Illinois.
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Services Offered
MENTAL HEALTH
Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management A psychiatrist is available weekly to provide expert evaluation of mental health concerns and to prescribe needed mental health medications. Services are available for adults and for youth over the age of five (5).
Assessment A proper mental health assessment is needed for all individuals seeking help for emotional or behavioral concerns for the first time. This assessment will help define any emotional or behavioral problems that exist and whether treatment will benefit that individual. An assessment is required if treatment is to be attempted, including both therapy and medication. HSS has staff available for assessments. These appointments generally last about two hours.
Individuals, Couples and Family Therapy Counseling and therapy is available for adults, youth, couples and families looking to work on emotional or behavioral concerns. HSS staff will provide aide in defining treatment goals. Staff members will then provide expert guidance in moving towards improvement based on these established goals. Services are scheduled Monday through Friday and evening hours are available.
Children First The Children First Program is a time-limited educational group for parents getting a divorce. The program uses video and group discussion to portray possible problem situations after a divorce and the effects the parents' behavior has on the children. This is a self-pay service and is not generally billable to insurance.
Education and Consultation Professional staff members from HSS are available to make public presentations, conduct workshops and provide consultations on a variety of subjects related to the services offered.
YOUTH SERVICES
24-Hour Crisis Support If you need urgent assistance outside of normal business hours, please contact your local law enforcement officials. Law enforcement can connect you to a local crisis professional.
Runaway/Lockout Response HSS staff members are available 24 hours a day to provide counseling to runaway and lockout youth and their families to attempt reunification of the youth with their family. If such efforts fail, HSS staff will take charge to find a safe alternative. Temporary Placement for Youth For runaway and lockout youth who have nowhere to stay, Human Support Service staff can authorize temporary placement into the foster care system. This will normally occur only after other efforts to reunite the youth with his or her family or find relative placement fail.
Placement Stabilization The Placement Stabilization service is intended to work with families that are having problems with a DCFS ward placed in their home. Human Support Services staff will provide community-based or office-delivered counseling and supportive services in an attempt to make the placement successful.
School Counseling HSS sends staff into Monroe County schools to provide group and individual counseling on-site for at-risk youth. These services are without charge to the students or their families. These staff members will also provide consultation to school officials seeking advice on student needs.
CRISIS SERVICES Crisis response is provided by Human Support Services (HSS) staff on a 24-hour/seven day a week basis for crises involving the mental health or substance abuse problems of any individual within Monroe County. Individuals, families or outside agencies, such as law enforcement or medical providers, may contact HSS as emergencies arise.
Staff will provide assessment of the emergency, offer consultation to caregivers, attempt stabilization or reunification efforts with family members, facilitate emergency hospitalization or placement if required and may authorize emergency shelter. Follow-up care after the crisis is resolved is also available.
CASE MANAGEMENT Human Support Services (HSS) provides ongoing case management services for adults who cannot fully manage their responsibilities due to mental health and/or developmental-related issues. Staff will provide linkage, monitoring, coordination and assessment for the client to guide them toward a successful recovery or to assist them in their efforts to live as independently as possible.
Fees and Payment
HSS accepts most insurance programs and our charges are based on a sliding fee scale which takes into consideration your household size and gross household income. This scale ensures affordable care to individuals without insurance or with large self-pay obligations. Our main goal is to help as many individuals as we can. With grants from United Way of Greater St. Louis and the Monroe County Community Mental Health Funding Board (also known as the 708 Board), we can offer these reduced rates.
Services Offered To: Adults
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from Illinois' program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Illinois' program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.