For Families

Welcome to Healthcare and Family Services’ Behavioral Health Resources Web Page. This site contains information related to Behavioral Health services available under the Illinois Medical Assistance Program, as well as information regarding Behavioral Health programs for children and youth in the State of Illinois. Behavioral Health services cover both mental health and substance use recovery services.

Below is a list of Behavioral Health programs and services, and a brief description. For more information, click the name of the program to go to the program’s webpage.

To find a provider who serves your area, use the ‘Find a Provider’ page.

Crisis Services: Crisis services are services provided to individuals when they are experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, do not hesitate to reach out. When in doubt, reach out. There are many ways to access crisis services.

If you, your child, or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or you have concerns for their immediate safety, or that they may require inpatient psychiatric treatment, please contact the CARES Hotline at 1-800-345-9049. The CARES Hotline is available 24/7, 365 days a year. A CARES Line worker will discuss the crisis with you and the eligibility of the person in crisis to determine if immediate Mobile Crisis Response is needed. If eligible, CARES will send a Mobile Crisis Response worker who will respond to the place of the person in crisis within 2 hours.

If you do not need an immediate crisis response, 988 is a 24/7 confidential lifeline where you can call or text a trained crisis counselor to help you through a crisis. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or facing a mental health or substance use crisis, help is just a call or text away. 

If you are in immediate physical danger or need medical assistance, please contact local law enforcement.

Family Support Program (FSP): The FSP provides access to intensive mental health services and supports to youth with a severe emotional disturbance. The goal of the FSP is to support eligible youth in the least restrictive setting possible by strengthening family stability, improving clinical outcomes, and promoting the use of community-based services over out-of-home treatment.

To Be Eligible: Under the age of 18 at time of application; a state of Illinois resident; have a diagnosis of a Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED); not currently in the custody or guardianship of any Federal, State or local government; for a full list of eligibility requirements, please see the Family Support Program webpage. 

What Services are Available: All Community-Based Behavioral Health Services (see Community-Based Behavioral Health Services Handbook for a full list of included services), Individual Support Services, Therapeutic Support Services, and Residential Treatment Services.

Interim Relief: During initial implementation of the N.B. Consent Decree, the Department will address the needs of N.B. Class Members demonstrating medical necessity for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) level of care.

To Be Eligible: Under the age of 21; enrolled in an Illinois Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid); not currently in the custody or guardianship of any Federal, State or local government, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS); provide a letter of medical necessity signed by a physician recommending PRTF services; consent to Interim Relief services; provide additional clinical documentation as requested; and complete the N.B. Interim Relief Application and Consent Form. For a full list of eligibility requirements, please see the N.B. Consent Decree webpage.

What Services are Available: Psychiatric Residential Treatment Services.

Medicaid Community-Based Mental Health Services: Medicaid community-based mental health services (referred to as Community-based Behavioral Health Services or CBS Services) are provided by community mental health providers who specialize in treating mental and behavioral health issues.

To Be Eligible: These services are available to all customers enrolled in an Illinois Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) and customers enrolled in any of the following programs: Screening Assessment and Support Services (SASS), Family Support Program (FSP), or Specialized Family Support Program (SFSP).

What Services are Available: Therapy/Counseling, Community Support, Community Support Team, Assertive Community Treatment, and Others (see Community-Based Behavioral Health Services Handbook for a full list of included services).

Pathways to Success: Pathways to Success is a program for Medicaid enrolled children under the age of 21 in Illinois who have complex behavioral health needs and could benefit from additional support. The program provides access to an evidence-informed model of intensive care coordination and additional home and community-based services.

To Be Eligible: Under 21, Active Medicaid enrollment, has an IM+CANS completed by a community mental health provider that meets the Decision Support Model. For a full list of eligibility requirements, please see the Pathways to Success webpage.

What Services are Available: Care Coordination and Support (CCS), Respite, Therapeutic Mentoring, Intensive Home-Based, Family Peer Support, Individual Support Services, Therapeutic Support Services.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or you have concerns for their immediate safety, that they may harm themselves or worry that they may require inpatient psychiatric treatment, please contact the CARES line at 1-800-345-9049 to access mobile crisis response services. Services are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

If you need immediate assistance or are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact 911.