Author name: Elk Grove Township Staff

According to Elk Grove Township Clinical Director Luanne Pross, there has been a substantial increase in the number of individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues over the last several years. Pross believes that COVID-19 pandemic, social media, and financial uncertainty are some of the more significant factors driving this emerging crisis. She is especially concerned about the increase in mental health problems occurring among adolescents and children. Pross points out that mental health visits to emergency rooms by adolescents and children jumped 31% in 2020 and that this trend has shown few signs of slowing down.  “Mental health issues are a growing concern for our society, our communities, and our families. Unfortunately, the resources available to address the problem have not kept pace with the need,” said Pross. She notes that the Township, as a community mental health provider, has been aware of the growing crisis and has been consistently expanding its services to meet the needs of its residents. “In addition to the therapy services we directly provide, we work closely with other mental health agencies, like the Josselyn Center, Kenneth Young, Children’s Advocacy Center and Northwest Casa to ensure that our residents get the best possible help.” While the Township serves both adults and children, Pross emphasizes the work her Department does with school-aged children in need of counseling, which has been consistently increasing. These are often children who are having conflicts with peers and teachers, or are exhibiting learning or behavioral difficulties. Pross adds that during the counseling process, other issues that are often related to the client’s family, can be discovered. “Once we more fully understand the problem and identify the underlying causes, we can work more effectively towards a solution,” Pross explained.  Pross added that children can be affected by stressors that their parents are experiencing. “Challenges, including economic and health problems, can cause anxiety in many parents, and that stress can actually transfer to their children.”  The Township counseling process begins with an intake appointment over the phone when a staff member asks questions to identify specific mental health needs. If the needs can be met by Township counselors, an in-person assessment is completed at the Elk Grove Township offices and counseling sessions are scheduled. If the needs are more specialized or psychiatric in nature, referrals can be made to Township agency partners. A valuable, new partnership the Township has established is with the Josselyn Center, which provides psychiatric services and is able to serve residents who are in need of medication. All the mental health services provided are confidential and offered free of charge to Township residents. To learn more, please call the Township at 847-981-0373 and visit ElkGroveTownship.com to learn more about other services available to residents.

The CEF Board of Directors oversees and approves the distribution of funds. The funds have been used for a multitude of social service purposes, all of which benefit residents of Elk Grove Township.  Funding examples include pest control services for a low-income family with a major infestation problem, the purchase of a water heater for an elderly veteran who had been without hot water for six months, and specialty prescription eyeglasses for a child with debilitating vision issues.   “The overarching goal of the Community Empowerment Fund is to help keep every Township resident and family safe and secure,”said CEF Board member Corey Dewey. “There are situations where the Township assistance programs can not fully address a problem. With CEF funding we are able to help them meet those special needs.”  CEF hosted a fundraiser in early November in downtown Mount Prospect to both raise funds to support their work but also to create more visibility for the Fund and its purpose. Board member Kevin Kinsella thanked the businesses that helped sponsor the fundraiser and pointed out that CEF is dependent on donations from community businesses and residents for the funds needed to carry out its important mission.  According to Kinsella, “Individual donations, business donations, office fundraisers and matching gifts are all greatly appreciated by us and those we assist.” For individuals who would like to know more about the Community Empowerment Fund please call Corey Dewey at 224-222-0944. Those who would like to make a donation can make checks payable to “Community Empowerment Fund” and mail or drop off the checks at the Elk Grove Township offices, 600 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007.

“The Township has seen a significant increase in our community’s senior population and their needs,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse. “We are working to meet these growing needs with expanded and impactful services.”  The variety of services available to seniors include: The ‘client choice’ Food Pantry allows seniors to shop for the items they prefer. Before using the pantry, seniors meet with a social service caseworker who ensures they are aware of other available senior services. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 224-265-6111. Food Pantry hours are Tuesdays from 930 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., as well as Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.    Seniors can access the Medical Lending Closet and borrow gently used medical equipment – including walkers, wheelchairs, canes, bath seats, bedside rails and more –at no cost for three months, with extensions available. Call 224-265-6111 to learn more about this program, to check equipment availability, and to schedule a curbside pickup.  If a ride is needed to go to the doctor, dialysis, the grocery store, hair appointments and other locations in the Township, seniors can take advantage of Transportation Services. Bus services are available Monday through Friday and provide curb-to-curb pickup and drop off for seniors 55+ and disabled residents ages 18 and up.  For more information or to schedule a trip, call 847-437-0300. A trained and accredited Veteran Services Officer (VSO) can provide free assistance and access to a range of resources available to seniors who are veterans, along with their dependents and survivors. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, please call the VSO office at 224-265-6113. If needed, the Township buses will provide transportation to the Township for appointments. The Township Assessor’s office provides seniors with assistance in filing Property Tax Appeals and/or Exemptions. Exemptions that seniors may be eligible for include Homeowners, Senior, Senior Freeze, Disability, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Returning Veterans. Call 224-265-6110 for more information. Emergency Assistance is available once every 24 months to help seniors with financial challenges, such as a pending eviction or utility disconnection. During the application process, eligible seniors are also referred to additional resources that are available through State, Federal and private agencies. These government and private agencies can help with other essential living expenses such as medical and dental services, housing and energy. Call 224-265-6111 for more information.  The State and Federal Government offer an oftentimes confusing array of Senior Benefits. These benefits include LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program). Also, SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) provides seniors with assistance in identifying their most beneficial Medicare insurance program. The Township can assist seniors in understanding and applying for the benefits for which they are eligible. Seniors will work with the Township’s new Older Adult Programming and Benefits Specialist who is focused on the needs of the senior population. For more information, call 224-265-6111 to determine benefit eligibility and to set up an appointment. For seniors experiencing mental health challenges, Counseling is available via telehealth, in person at the Township, or through a hybrid offering. Additionally, if seniors need medication for mental health issues, psychiatric services are now offered through a partnership with the Josselyn Center. This is another relatively new offering that dramatically cuts down wait times to see a psychiatrist. The Township’s counseling and psychiatric services are free of cost. For more information, call 847-981-0373. Temporary Handicap Placards can be issued to seniors for up to six months, based on an application that must be filled out by a doctor. Residents can pick up a blank form at the Township offices to have their doctor fill out to receive a temporary placard. For any questions, call 847-437-0300. There is a wealth of resources available through Elk Grove Township for its senior residents. Seniors are encouraged to learn more about these services by calling the listed phone numbers or by logging on to ElkGroveTownship.com.  

“Many of our government assistance programs now require applications to be completed online, and a good number of our senior folks have difficulty with this – so now we have a dedicated person to help them through the process,” said Corey Dewey, Social Services and Outreach Director with Elk Grove Township. While assistance is provided, the Township does not process applications on behalf of seniors – but can be there to help after the application is completed if any issues arise.   Guidance can also be provided regarding Medicare eligibility and applications through SHIP. Seniors are given information about health plans that best fit their needs, relative to their budget, availability of doctors, and prescriptions.  Dewey says there are some programs that seniors may not think they qualify for, but should apply regardless.   “If you qualify for LIHEAP, you can get assistance with ComEd or Nicor bills. While eligibility is based on income, a lot of people don’t apply because they have not fallen behind in their bill payments yet,” Dewey said. “Even if they are not behind, the benefit is intended to help low income residents utilize their income in different ways through grants that can credit future bills.” Individuals who want to apply for benefits through LIHEAP can call the Township at 224-265-6111 to get pre-screened for eligibility. The State will begin processing applications in the beginning of September – so don’t wait!  The Township Food Pantry is also available to seniors and any Township resident who is experiencing food insecurity. The pantry recently extended its hours so that more residents, including those who work during the day, can take advantage. For those who want to select their own items, the pantry is now open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. On Mondays and Fridays, pre-packaged food is available for pickup between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Township building, 600 Landemeier Road in Elk Grove Village.  Another upcoming service provided through the Township and available to all residents (regardless of income), is the Secretary of State Mobile Unit on Tuesday, October 4 when driver’s license and State ID renewals can be completed, along with hearing and vision screenings conducted by the Lions Club. For more information, please call the Township at 847-437-0300. 

The overarching goal is to provide comprehensive and holistic mental health services for children and adults living in the Township. Individuals in need of psychiatric services must either be in counseling through the Township or go through an intake process first. Once in counseling, if a therapist identifies a need for psychotropic medication, a referral is made to the Josselyn Center to connect the client with a psychiatrist.  “This entire program is so vital to assist our residents who cannot access the full spectrum of quality mental health services available in the private sector, due to financial constraints,” said Elk Grove Township Clinical Director Luanne Pross. “No one is turned away due to the inability to pay, and there is a strong connection between our counselors and the psychiatrists to share information to meet the mental health care needs of our residents.” Convenience is also part of what is offered through this partnership; individuals can see a psychiatrist virtually and confidentially via telehealth on their own computers or smartphones. If residents do not have access to technology, computers are made available to them at the Township. Counseling through the Township is also available through telehealth, in-person at the Township, or through a hybrid arrangement. “This public/private partnership is relatively unique, as few other government organizations have taken these steps to meet what we see as a great need, especially for those who have been sitting on a waitlist for months to see a psychiatrist,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse. “We are proud to be able to offer these services to our residents in need of this level of care.” Residents experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship issues, substance misuse, school issues, work performance and other challenges are encouraged to contact the Township for help. Translation services are also available.  For more information or to schedule an intake appointment, please call the Township Youth and Family Services Department at 847-981-0373.

Also coming in March will be a free employment seminar which will take place at the Township offices on Wednesday, March 30 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The seminar will provide assistance for residents in need of a job or seeking a career change. Finally, a new partnership with the Josselyn Center to enhance Township mental health services will soon be announced. This partnership will allow the Township to provide residents with more timely psychiatric services. “Our priority is to listen to our residents and ensure they are receiving the assistance they need to manage their lives and care for their families,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse. “We are excited about the new services we will be offering. However, it’s important that residents remember the plethora of valuable services the Township is already providing, which range from youth and senior services to adult and family counseling, as well as taxpayer assistance.” Some of the other Township services available to all residents include: Applications, Licenses and Registration: The Clerk’s Office can assist residents with passport applications, hunting and fishing licenses, voter registration and assistance, notary public services, and temporary handicapped parking placards. The Township is also a Passport Acceptance Facility and can answer questions on passport applications, processing times and appointment scheduling for you or your family members. Call 847-437-0300 to make an appointment. Township Assessor: The Assessor’s office is a resource for property tax information and assistance. The office can help residents file tax appeals and exemptions that can reduce tax bills. The exemptions include homeowners, senior, senior freeze, disability and veteran’s disability. Forms to apply for exemptions will be available on March 16. The Assessor’s office can also help file certificates of error when tax bill information is incorrect. Call 224-265-6110 for more information. Employment Support Services: The Township’s Employment Support Center has resources and services for job-seeking residents that include resume reviews, interview training and job search help and tips. Other resources to find jobs include seminars and job fairs. Email jobhelp@elkgrovetownship.com for more information and to register for future events. Food Pantry: The food pantry is a ‘client’s choice’ model where shoppers can choose items they need the most. To use the Pantry, individuals must meet with a social service representative to verify residency and to see if there are other ways the Township can be of assistance. Use of the food pantry is currently by appointment only. Pantry hours are Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1p.m. to 7p.m., in addition to Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can be made at the west entrance of the Township building Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For additional information, please call Kailee at 224-265-6102. Medical Lending Closet: Residents can borrow gently used medical equipment for up to three months, with the option to extend upon request. Available equipment includes walkers, wheelchairs, canes, bath seats, bedside rails and more. Call 224-265-6111 to schedule curbside pickup, check availability of items, or to learn more about the terms of this helpful program. This service is free to Township residents. Transportation Assistance for Seniors and Disabled: The Township offers bus services for appointments and shopping within the Township borders, T.R.I.P. bus services for medical appointments outside of the Township borders, and a Taxi transportation program. These programs provide a curb-to-curb transportation solution for seniors 55+ and disabled residents 18+. The bus services are available Monday through Friday. For information or to schedule a trip, call 847-437-0300. Veteran Services Officer: Elk Grove Township has a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) who is trained and accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The officer provides free assistance to veterans and their dependents and survivors to help manage their benefits. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call Walter Wilson at 224-265-6113. Winter Warming Station: When temperatures are dangerously cold, Elk Grove Township residents have access to the Township building as a warming center. When needed, the warming center is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Please call 847-437-0300 with any questions. Youth Services: The Elk Grove Township Youth Services Department offers programs that help support children’s mental health. Registration is fast and easy, but space is limited. Among the programs offered at the Township are life skills, social skills, girls’ empowerment and leadership development. In addition, a variety of support groups are available for community organizations such as schools, scouts, churches and libraries within the Township boundaries. To sign up, or for more information about programs offered, please contact Renee Dorn at RDorn@ElkGroveTownship.com. For more information on any of the services offered through the Township, please call 847-437-0300 or visit elkgrovetownship.com.