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.

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.

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. > Read More

Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) classes are offered free 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. Participants outside Lake County are responsible to pay a fee.

Empowered Teen Parents is presented in a lunch and learn venue with topics covering a variety of parenting issues that will foster and promote knowledge, confidence and success in nurturing their infant/child. By using the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) and Active Parenting, the groups will focus on topics important to teen parents today, i.e. how to finish school, apply to colleges and how to be a teen while being pregnant.

Infant Safe Sleep Education is a program that promotes safe sleep practices. Participants are required to complete an hour educational training before receiving a pack-n-play free of charge. Referrals for Infant Safe Sleep Education must be made by any Lake County child and family agency, hospital or other community organization. Infants referred must be under six months old.

Making Proud Choices programs educate young students and teenagers about using responsible behavior and good decision-making tools to shape their lives responsibly. Making Proud Choices teaches values, promotes self-esteem and resiliency, and empowers students to make good decisions on their own...Inspiring all students to be strong and smart while making proud choices!!

"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.

The Ombudsman Service advocates an awareness of mental illness on behalf of community members. The ombudsman service 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.