History

1956

The Champaign County Mental Health Clinic opened its doors as a program of the Champaign County Mental Health Society. The clinic was operated by the society through 1966, when the society changed its name to the Champaign County Association for Mental Health and split off from the Mental Health Center. Agency budget: $37,605

1966

The Threshold began day treatment services in affiliation with Lutheran Welfare Services at Grace Lutheran Church, Champaign.

1967

Crisis Line began.

1968

The Champaign County Mental Health Center became incorporated on July 22, 1968.

1976

Mental Health Center operated in Mercy Hospital (Two West) and then later moved to the St. Mary’s School Building where it remained until 1993.

1977

A special division of child and adolescent services was established to open access to this age group. Agency budget: $996,251

1982

Services expanded to Champaign County Correctional Center. Twenty-four hour crisis services to the county began.

1984

The Center established a group home in Champaign to house up to eight seriously mentally ill adults. Parents Too Soon funding received.

1990

The Center purchased an eight-unit, one-bedroom apartment complex in Urbana to house homeless mentally ill on a transitional basis. Agency budget: $2,700,000

1994

COMPEER volunteer program is formed for support to adults with psychiatric disabilities in conjunction with Champaign County Mental Health Association. The Mental Health Center and United Way is awarded AmericCorps/CHART grant to plan services for the homeless mentally ill. HUD funds an 18-unit permanent housing complex in Urbana for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Emergency Psychiatric Respite Center is funded and opened in April 1994. Two new facilities are identified and funded with bonds. Agency budget: $4,200,000

1995

The Mental Health Center Counseling and Personal Development services is initiated, incorporating Counseling Institute. Facilities move to new locations at 1801 Fox Drive and 205 West Park Avenue, Champaign.

1996

Mental Health Center sponsors Homestead Apartments to the homeless and continues efforts to expand residential services. Agency budget: $5,600,000

1997

Mental Health Center incorporates the Men’s Emergency Shelter and the Volunteer Center of East Central Illinois into its structure. First accreditation by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. A building was purchased on State Street to house Keystone, a consumer-run resource center. Purchased a home in Urbana as a supportive group home for women. Agency budget: $7,300,000

1998

Volunteer Center of East Central Illinois is hosted by the Mental Health Center. Homestead Apartments are opened for occupancy. Property for TIMES Center is donated. TIMES Center is developed as the replacement facility for the Men’s Emergency Shelter. Compeer program is expanded to serve youth. Healthy Families program begins. The Housing Authority purchases 205 West Park and the Mental Health Center purchases the Champaign National Bank Building as a replacement. The Workforce Preparation Center is also housed in this new building. Agency budget: $7,400,000

1999

Affiliation with Provena Covenant Medical Center effective January 1st. Groundbreaking for new facility for TIMES Center at Washington and Market Streets. Agency budget $7,600,000

2000

Opening of TIMES Center including Emergency Psychiatric Respite Center. Resurveyed by JCAHO, attaining score of 98. Agency budget: $7,750,000

2001

Property purchased in Rantoul for a HUD funded, 18-unit permanent housing complex for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Office opened in Rantoul for case management, counseling and psychiatric services. Compeer Volunteer and Match honored by Compeer International for a National Award. Agency budget: $7,800,000

2002

School-based services in Champaign Alternative Schools begin. Open Clinic begins. Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist hired to provide regional services. Community Liason Coordinator hired to expand services in Rantoul. Agency budget: $8,500,000

2003

Expanded outpatient counseling and psychiatric services to Vermilion County through work with Provena United Samaritans Medical Center and expansion of System of Care Services with DCFS. Assumed responsibility for Roundhouse Shelter from Children’s Home and Aid Society. Opened the Village Apartments in Rantoul. Agency budget: $9,960,000

2004

Partnered with Best Interest of Children to expand Family Conference programs. Expanded behavioral health services through partnerships with Christie Clinic and School Based Health Clinic in Urbana. Agency budget: $11,360,000

2005

Restructured organization to focus on Champaign County core services. Ended affiliation with Provena Health Central Illinois Region effective January 1, 2005. Vermilion County services were transferred to existing agencies. Expanded Prevention services. Agency budget: $11,440,000