Advocacy, Education, Information and Referral Services are available daily to people who call, write, or visit our office. An updated referral directory assists those in need of professional mental health services in Lake County and beyond.

Girls, Inc.® programs educate young girls and teenage girls about using responsible behavior and good decision-making tools to shape their lives responsibly. Girls, Inc.® teaches values, promotes self-esteem and resiliency, and empowers girls to make good decisions on their own...Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold!!

Healthy Families Lake County is a home-based program dedicated to assisting new parents. Family support specialists are available to those who qualify. The initiative of this program is to promote positive parenting and child development by offering a variety of services to families.

"I'm Thumbody Special" is a program presented in schools throughout Lake County that fosters self-esteem and resiliency in the "whole child." It encourages children to see individual differences as valuable and promotes respect for others and one's self.

Ombudsman Program advocates an awareness of mental illness for the sake of the community members. The ombudsman program is dedicated to answering and responding to all queries and problems that society members have about mental illness. We are dedicated to serving the people living in the community and informing them of their rights as a community member and mental-health consumer.

Parents as Teachers is a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum used alone and also in collaboration with the Healthy Families Lake County program. It is a voluntary program in which parents are offered information about child development. The program offers support to parents, promotes a strong parent-child relationship, and presents activities the parent can use to stimulate learning. The goal of the program is to ensure every child has the best possible start.

Power Paws provides animal-assisted therapy to adults and children with serious mental illness or emotional disturbances. The program incorporates well-trained, volunteer animal teams into therapeutic settings. The volunteer teams work to reduce anxiety, anger, and depression and increase positive interactions, self-esteem, and appropriate behaviors with its participants. Volunteers and their dogs are always welcome to inquire about and participate in the program.

Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) classes are offered for a $20 fee per participant to all residents of Lake County. STEP classes help teach parents and caregivers the different stages of child development. Questions about parenting and child growth are encouraged and answered. Parents of children of all ages have the opportunity to learn about topics relevant to raising children and effective parenting methods.