Sorensen Announces Funding to Support Youth Mental Health Services in Central Illinois

BLOOMINGTON, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is announcing $668,356 from the Department of Health and Human Services to McLean County to administer behavioral health services to youth in Central Illinois. 

“To build stronger, more sustainable communities, we need to start by finding the leaders of tomorrow and make sure they have the resources to live happy, healthy, and productive adult lives,” said Sorensen. “I’m proud to announce this investment for McLean County that’s going to even the playing field for our young people who may be in need of extra help in life.” 

“The acceptance of this grant on behalf of the McLean County Government is the result of a persistent and collaborative effort from our many community partners. This grant aims to increase much needed Youth Services within McLean County by strengthening existing programing, increasing service availability, and better identifying youth in need of assistance with a behavioral health concern. Unique collaborative entities such as the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council have allowed for opportunities such as this community-wide grant to be possible and we hope to continue to enhance all services across the county connected to behavioral health. This grant is just one step in our mission to provide much needed top quality services to every person of need within the community,” said Kevin McCall, McLean County Director of Behavioral Health Coordination. 

The funding is being awarded from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS to support the expansion of mental health services to children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and young adults with serious mental illness and their families across McLean County. This $668,356 award is part of $2.1 million awarded to the county over the span of four years. 

This funding is expected to help McLean County and its partners reach hundreds of children, youth, and young adults with mental health needs across the county. 

The funding will specifically help McLean County and partners expand and sustain mental health services by allowing them to provide care to uninsured and underinsured youth, increase in-person and telehealth psychiatric services, support a team to oversee continued care, and more.

This project brings together a partnership of child-serving organizations, including The Center for Youth and Family Solutions, The Baby Fold, the McLean County Center for Human Services, and the Regional Office of Education. 

Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

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