Mental Health Supports for Illinois students and educators
Here is a new program to increase mental health supports for Illinois students and educators from ISBE. There are opportunities to participate in universal trainings on the impact of trauma, crisis response strategies, and schoolwide trauma-responsive policies and classroom practices to build resilience among students. Also included in the email are resources to support students' and educators' mental health 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please take a moment to review the information and take advantage of the training opportunities and resources provided by the Illinois State Board of Education, Center for Childhood Resilience (Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, and the Peoria County Regional Office of Education 48)
https://www.isbe.net/mentalhealth
Screening, Assessment, and Support Service Can Help.
Screening, Assessment, and Support Service (SASS) is a statewide crisis program for children and youth. SASS provides intensive mental health services for children and youth who may need hospitalization for mental health care. SASS will also provide crisis intervention, linkage, and coordination of services to other community-based mental health agencies for aftercare and outpatient treatment. The SASS program's main focus is to stabilize the family and maintain the youth at home and in the community. The program has a single point of entry, the Crisis and Referral Entry Service (CARES).
The following criteria will be applied to determine eligibility based on age and insurance status:
- Children and youth under the age of 18 seeking public funding for psychiatric services through the Illinois Department of Human Services
- Any child or youth enrolled in Illinois Healthcare and Family Services Medicaid Program or Medicaid Managed Care Organization
- Any child or youth whom the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has legal responsibility
A SASS crisis worker will respond to the youth in crisis to complete a crisis screening and make recommendations on appropriate mental health care, which may include community-based services or inpatient hospitalization. The crisis screening can be provided in-person, over the phone, or through video, as requested by the family.
The SASS program is administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Contact CARES at 800-345-9049 if you need SASS services.
