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The Mental Health Division at Pioneer Center is comprised of recovery based services for people with mental illness.  The division provides supports that are responsive to consumers’ strengths and needs.  Individualized supports and services that meet consumers’ immediate needs and/or build upon existing or potential strengths and assets are planned and provided in the most efficient and effective manner possible.  There are three programs within the division which are designed to accommodate people at different stages of recovery including residential services, a transitional housing rental assistance program, and a community case management program.

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call:
           McHenry County Crisis Program
           1.800.892.8900 - 24-hour Crisis Line (local calls only)

For all other inquiries or to access services, please call:
           Patrick McShea, Intake Manager
           1.815.759.7204

Residential Services
The Residential Services Program provides a system of care in partnership with families and the community that provides opportunities for consumers to successfully live in the community, to be self-sufficient and to realize their full potential.  Pioneer operates five group homes which provide staff support, case management, linkage to community services, entitlement programs, skills training, medication support and supervision.

Community Case Management
The mission of the Community Case Management program is to instill hope and improve consumers’ quality of life by providing treatment, education, and support for life management skills needed to live independently.  Both psychological and emotional support is provided to help consumers learn to manage their illness and live successfully.

Transitional Housing Rental Assistance Program
Pioneer’s housing program is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The program is intended to provide transitional housing in the form of rental assistance to consumers who have a mental illness, are homeless or about to become homeless and who have limited to no resources or means of support to obtain safe, decent, and sanitary housing.  Physical and emotional support is provided by case managers.

New Directions PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Program (PSR)
The New Directions Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program (PSR) provides a range of services focused toward recovery from serious or persistent mental illness.  The PSR embraces a recovery philosophy that every person with a mental illness is able to recover and make major improvements in their functioning levels and lives.  The services offered are in four core components: Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Vocational Services, Peer Support and Socialization, and Community Resource Development.  The purpose of PSR is to connect persons with “their abilities and capacities for learning new skills, with jobs or work-related activities, with their community and with one another”.  Through actively participating in the Vocational Center, Skills Training Groups, Education or Receovery, Social Support and Socialization, Leisure Activities and Community Involvement the consumer learns to be empowered and more of an advocate for the services they need to continue their recovery in the community.

Psychiatric Rehabilitation/Skills Development
Pioneer provides structured skill development groups which assist consumers of mental health services in identifying and managing symptoms and medications, learning social skills, independent living skills, problem solving skills, and work skills.  These groups are offered during the regular 9-4 work day.

School to Work Transition Services
Serving students approaching high school graduation, School to Work Transition Services provides vocational services and employment services to prepare them for the next phase of their lives.  Tailored to the needs of the student, services could include vocational testing, employment planning, transitional work experiences and job placement and employment support services. Assistive technology assessments and training, job readiness and skills training is available, as needed.  Participants also have access to Developmental Training Services, which focuses on developing life skills and activities of daily living.  School to Work Transition Services also provides referral and linkage to other support services promoting independence, including residential programs, community integration and case management.

Vocational Evaluation 
In addition to determining work interests and aptitudes, Vocational Evaluation Services provides a thorough assessment of job skills and job readiness for employment planning for persons with disabilities.  Services can assist in identifying employment accommodations as well.  Employment recommendations are identified to assist persons in their employment planning.  Vocational Evaluation is particularly suited to persons who have been out of the work force because of a disability or for transitioning students just preparing to enter the work force.

PSR Vocational Center
PSR Vocational Center (PSRVC) is an in-house transitional work program where mental health consumers are taught new work skills while learning to manage symptoms in a structured environment.  We assist in providing services through consumer-driven businesses.  Vocational education groups meet to practice interviewing skills, resume writing, filling out applications, and job retention skills.  Our vocational services serve as a bridge to close the gap between current abilities and community employable skills.

Snack Shack
The Snack Shack is a consumer run business that opened in October 2004 and employs persons with disabilities.  A great team effort went into getting the Snack Shack started with consumers and staff working side by side.  The Snack Shack is certified as a level 3 food service establishment, so the products sold are prepackaged and may be purchased by anyone visiting Pioneer.  This has been an excellent opportunity for those employed by the Snack Shack to develop work skills and habits as well as building self-esteem and character.

The Snack Shack was recognized by the Illinois Association for Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) as the “Best of the Best” program in the State in 2005.

Peer Support and Socialization/Consumer Engagement Activities
Less structured groups gather at Pioneer to provide support and socialization opportunities to our consumers.  These are usually led by a person with a psychiatric disability and focus on different topics that affect many of our clients.  Job clubs, substance abuse groups, and recovery planning are examples of peer support.  Also, special activities take place in the community so people are able to practice the skills that they learn at Pioneer.  Peer mentoring and buddy programs are in the planning stage.

Community Resource Development
Our Consumer Advisory Council is a group of mental health consumers and staff that meet weekly for many purposes.  They monitor community and agency-based activities so that all necessary information is being shared with persons that utilize services at Pioneer.  The Consumer Advisory Council also advocates on behalf of all mental health consumers when injustices arise, among many other activities.  In conjunction with other departments at Pioneer, we work to ensure that consumers have access to all the resources that they need