Supporting people with mental illness working toward recovery
Why Sertoma Star Services
Our Community Mental Health and Counseling programs and services support adults who experience mental illness to work toward personal recovery. Recovery is the idea that people can improve their health and wellness and live a full and meaningful life, all while having a mental illness. Everyone here is at a different place in their recovery, and our programs and services are designed to meet the unique needs and interests of every person served.
A Community Mental Health Center is an array of services. It can include both individual- and group-based services. Some are more about skill-building and psychoeducation, whereas other services are more about therapy and processing. We provide services both at our location in Matteson and out in the community. It’s a package of services from which people can choose to meet their needs.
Staff engage with people in a collaborative partnership focusing on the following principles: establishing a personal definition of recovery, building on strengths, creating a positive future, enhancing quality of life, reintegrating into the community, and increasing a natural support system.
What We Offer
Community Mental Health Programs and Services Offered through Medicaid Funding
Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)
Building Skills & Managing Symptoms
The Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) program supports people in developing the skills to manage mental illness, socialize with others, and decrease reliance on professional supports. PSR groups focus on developing coping techniques for symptom management and increasing skills needed for personal growth through on-site educational groups. Transportation is available for attending PSR groups. Community support services offered focus on using the skills acquired in PSR in a community setting with staff support. The PSR case management team assists in gaining access to resources needed during the recovery process
Community Support Team (CST)
Supporting Community Integration
The Community Support Team supports people who are maintaining independence in the community. This support may include identifying and managing independent housing, health and psychiatric needs and services that support recovery. The Community Support Team also aids class members of the Colbert Consent decree to transition into apartments (or other living situations) from nursing homes.
Therapy & Counseling
A Personal Discovery Process
Individual or group therapy and counseling services provide an opportunity for exploring thoughts, feelings and behaviors from the past and in the present. This exploration contributes to gaining insight throughout the personal recovery process.
Crisis Stabilization
Managing Crises & Linking to Services
Crisis Stabilization addresses urgent needs by offering a variety of services aimed at assisting members of the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis but lack the necessary supports. Services include access to a crisis line, linkage to community behavioral health services, community-based case management, brief therapeutic intervention, and relapse prevention. These services minimize hospitalization and promote stability within the community.
Employment Services
Competitive and Supported Employment
The Employment Services program supports people with mental illness in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment. The philosophy of the program focuses on personal strengths and is based on the principle that employment is a route to recovery. The strategy for obtaining employment is through a person-centered process dedicating time and energy toward employment opportunities that are personally meaningful. The strategy for maintaining competitive employment is through a support team including clinical and employment staff. Job coaching is available, as needed.
In order to receive Medicaid-funded Services, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be diagnosed with a mental illness (recognized by Medicaid Rule 132)
- Not require 24-hour medical supervision
- Have an active medical benefit card from Medicaid
- Meet any spend down required by Medicaid
- Give informed consent to participate in Mental Health Services
- Have the ability to self-medicate, if medications are taken during program hours
- Meet the Medicaid funding criteria
Mental Health Services for Youth (5 years or older)