Oak Park Newspaper

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Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Estate Planning and General Law

RAVINIA
"A Great time in a
Wonderful Place" SJC

Adopt a Pet, Come for a Visit

CAGIS Archaeological
Consulting Services

MENTAL HEALTH BOARD SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT WILL GUIDE PLANNING AND
ALLOCATIONS FOR LOCAL SERVICES.

One in seven randomly chosen homes across the Oak Park/River Forest area have received an important survey
in the mail from the Community Mental Health Board of
Oak Park Township with the support of River Forest Township.

The deadline for returning the survey is being extended to October 23 to include as many as possible in the analysis. Results of the survey will draw a “picture” of the prevalence of mental illness, substance abuse and developmental disabilities among residents as well as experiences with services and the need for services. The Board will then use the results for planning, coordinating and funding services.

The views and experiences of all families are important, whether family members have needs or have used services.
The Board has engaged Health Systems Research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine to develop, conduct and analyze results of the survey. Surveys are
anonymous when returned in the business reply envelope.

“Full participation is vital to present an accurate description of needs in order to guide the funding of services” stresses Community Mental Health Board Present Richard A.
Carroll, Ph.D. Few such local surveys of mental health needs, views and experiences have been conducted within Illinois.

The assessment will also include compilation of mental health data, interviews with knowledgeable persons and focus groups of individuals using services.

Lisa DeVivo, Executive Director
Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township 708.358.8855 or ldevivo@cmhb-oakpark.org
Joel B. Cowen, Assistant Dean for Health Systems Research 815.395.5639 or joelc@uic.edu