Two behavioral healthcare providers have announced a preliminary partnership aimed at strengthening services and maintaining fiscal balance.
The Family Service and Community Health Center for McHenry County has approved a proposal to partner with North Central Behavioral Systems, a seven-county service provider with facilities in the central and north central portions of the state.
The Illinois Department of Human Services reports that most community mental health centers in the state are struggling and financially at risk of closure of consolidation because of contract cuts and slow payment times, Judy Kettman, president of the Family Service Board of Directors, said in a press release.
“We have diligently been looking at partners over the last 12 months to ensure that we can maintain existing services to McHenry County residents,” she said. “In North Central, we’ve found a very similar partner who is exceptionally stable financially, shares our mission commitment, scores highly in client satisfaction and other quality ratings, and has experience partnering to deliver and improve services to multiple geographic areas.”
After formal approval later this month, services will 0perate under both names beginning May 1, with the majority of Family Service staff continuing to service clients through the North Central system.
Changes are expected, but service interruptions are not anticipated, according to Family Service Chief Executive Officer Lori Nelson.
“The needs of the people we serve will remain the priority in all we do,” she said in the press release. “The Family Service mission and history of services to McHenry County will continue, but in recognition of the changes that are required by the unprecedented challenges presented by Illinois’ financial situation, as well as changes to the national level due to health reform, we must position ourselves for the future.”
Family Service serves more than 6,000 residents and families annually through individual, family and group counseling, psychiatry, nursing and case management. North Central provides prevention, intervention, treatment, community support and education and outreach services at nine facilities throughout its service area.
“We’re excited to become a part of McHenry County as an extension of the Family Service mission and to both maintain and expand access to mental health and substance-use services,” Don Miskowiec, chief executive officer of North Central, said in a press release.
