Better Care For Veterans, Service Members & Their Families

TLS is working with a network of agencies throughout Lake and McHenry Counties, Illinois, to provide better mental health care for veterans, military members and their families, especially but not limited to those involved in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The initiative’s major goals are to reduce veteran homelessness, suicide prevention and reduction of hospitalizations by transforming the way services are delivered.

“Everyday, American military families cope with stress of multiple deployments and the fear that a loved one may be in harm’s way,” said Alan Belcher, TLS’ executive director. “A veteran may return home trying to fit into society but can’t because he has been forever changed by the trauma of war.”

The effort is being led a consumer-driven governance council in conjunction with the Lake County Health Department and the McHenry County Mental Health Board. It is funded through a five-year, $3.6 million grant from the federal government’s Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.

TLS’ role will include operating a gathering place for military families planned to open in McHenry in spring. Services will be offered through TLS, Pioneer Center for Human Services and Family Service and Community Mental Health Center and are to include case management, peer-to-peer mentoring and professional counseling.

Call TLS at 815-334-0540 for details. Below is a link to a Chicago Tribune story about the initiative:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northnorthwest/ct-x-n-health-veterans-funding-20101208,0,5079477.story