Rosecrance program re-started January 1, 2017, for students and families
A Rosecrance program that expands access to behavioral health services in schools continues this year thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.
The $40,000 grant from the Dr. Louis & Violet Rubin Fund supports the Open Access Child and Family Counseling program, which integrates short-term counseling services for children of all ages served by the School-Based Health Center at Auburn High School in Rockford. Services are available regardless of families’ ability to pay.
The goal is to help students manage their behavioral health in a proactive way and prevent mental health crises.
“We are thankful to the Community Foundation for supporting this important program,” said Steve Smith, Rosecrance’s administrator of child and adolescent services. “What we saw last year was students receiving the help they needed before problems escalated, which is best for the children and their families.”
Rosecrance counselors are embedded in schools, and students can ask for help directly or be referred for services by school staff. Group counseling sessions for students have focused on such topics as relational aggression, positive peer relationships, self-awareness, impulse control and anger management.
“The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is honored to be able to support the Rosecrance Open Access Child and Family Counseling program on behalf of the Dr. Louis and Violet Rubin Fund. The collaborative nature of this program with Crusader’s School-Based Health Center at Auburn High School is especially noteworthy,” said Jon Bates, president of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.