Baby Fold offers space, services for mental health needs

Feb. 02--BLOOMINGTON -- Children suffering a mental health crisis may have an option other than a trip to a facility several hours from their home under an offer The Baby Fold presented Monday to the McLean County Board Health Committee.

The Normal-based child care agency that provides residential treatment and therapy to children and families in 22 Illinois counties has space and services that could benefit more children in the community, Baby Fold CEO Diane Schultz told the committee.

Schultz and Karen Major, director of family and community services at The Baby Fold, told the committee that half of the 28-bed residential treatment unit has been downsized because of inadequate state reimbursement for care. That space could be available to address unmet mental health needs of children, said Major.

"We are dealing with children and families all the time who may be suffering from inadequate treatment options," said Schultz.

Citing priorities outlined in the County Board's Mental Health Action Plan issued last year, Major said emergency rooms are often the most common providers of crisis services for children who may be referred to other facilities when specialized care is not available.

The Baby Fold team stressed that the agency is not looking to displace existing services by other local providers but to offer additional resources.

County Board Chairman John McIntyre suggested a committee of providers who deal with children's services be formed to coordinate crisis services for youths. A similar group of mental health providers meets regularly to review services for adults.

The lack of local mental services for youths was one of several priorities outlined in the action plan developed after a year of study by two advisory panels concerned about gaps in community services.

Collaboration between agencies will enhance what's available for children and families, said Major. A full array of services for children of all ages is need, she said.

A crisis center to take care of the short-term mental health needs could give the community a child-focused version of the adult crisis center opened last year by Chestnut Health Services in Bloomington. The 14-bed facility is designed to reduce the number of people who cycle through emergency rooms and the jail.

The collateral damage to youths who go without needed mental services is reflected in lower high school graduation rates, said Schultz.

Follow Edith Brady-Lunny on Twitter: @pg_blunny

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