Comprehensive community based youth services

Funding provided by Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)

 CCBYS program provides 24-hour crisis  intervention, individual and family counseling, outreach, emergency  shelter, information and referral, and linkage to other agencies.   Trained counselors provide individuals with face-to-face crisis  intervention, individual, group, and family counseling.  Staff responds  to crisis situations as the result of police intervention 24-hours per  day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
 

When a crisis or need arises, an emergency shelter is available for  youth ages 11 to 17.  The shelter is licensed by the Illinois Department  of Children and Family Services and can provide shelter for up to 10  youth at any one time.
 

The CCBYS program provides a wide variety of services that are short  term, intensive, home based services, focusing on the family unit.   Services provided include:
 

• 24-hour crisis intervention
• Individual and family counseling
• Advocacy
• Emergency shelter
• Information and referral service
• Outreach
• Linkage to other agencies

Crisis intervention services are provided to clients by professional  counselors (with a minimum of a BA) at the time of the initial crisis  and at any time during the course of client's involvement in the  program.  The counselor identifies the immediate emergency service needs  of the youth and makes referrals when necessary to other appropriate  community agencies.  The assigned counselor is responsible for  coordinating the service linkage with other community agencies and  services and provides transportation when necessary.  Individual and  family preservation or reunification counseling is provided to each  youth.
 

The primary purpose of the program is the diversion of youth from the  street and child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems by the  following:
 

1. Providing emergency shelter and family reunification and preservation counseling;
2. The identification of service gaps and closure of gaps by identifying and addressing service needs;
3. The coordination of youth  referrals to other services including education, employment, training,  polydrug and other youth services; and
4. The utilization of community resources including local funds and volunteers.