Community Support Program

2200 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL 61201 (309)-779-2094 

From the time of backwards in mental institutions to the development of the community mental health movement of forty years ago, services for persons with psychiatric disabilities have taken a quantum leap into this age of recovery and consumer-driven approaches.

Trinity Regional Health System, the State of Illinois, the City of Rock Island and the Development Association of Rock Island formed a unique partnership with the Robert Young Center to create one of the more innovative community support programs in the nation.

The cornerstone of the Community Support Program in downtown Rock Island, Illinois, is District 22, a fresh perspective to the clubhouse model.

District 22: A Place to Go Where Everyone Knows Your Name 

District 22 is a place where folks can socialize and take full advantage of an advanced entertainment complex that has been designed for its members.

District 22 is a place where folks can socialize and take full advantage of an advanced entertainment complex that has been designed for its members

District 22 is highlighted by a beautiful, alcohol-free grill and pub containing a piano, antique popcorn machine and a hand crafted cherry wood bar.  Adjoining the club is a high-tech, stadium style, surround-sound theatre that seats 39 people.  District 22 also has a dedicated billiard room and a dining room that serves double duty as a dance hall with a superior sound system of its own.

District 22 hosts a variety of leisure activities to assist in the development of interpersonal skills.  The main floor laundry and shower areas offer opportunities to reinforce activities of daily living.  A computer lab assists in the building of internet skills.  Current magazines and newspapers are available in a library.  Weekend events are also planned. 

Consumer Advisory Council

There is also a Consumer Advisory Council responsible for planning activities and offering a Mentoring Program for new members.   The council seeks to involve family members as often as possible.

Who Can Benefit from the Program?

The people being served in this program are citizens who have diagnoses, such as schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorders.   There are more than 400 people in the program ranging in age from 16 - 80.   Many were formerly treated at East Moline Mental Health Center, Galesburg Research Hospital and Zeller Mental Health Center (Peoria).  The program helps those with severe and persistent mental illness stay out of costly mental health institutions to experience a better quality of life in their home community.  In addition to being a better service for the population, Illinois taxpayers save an average of $60,000 per year per consumer

Community Support Services

The Community Support Program employs a recovery-oriented approach to services.  According to the Surgeon General, in a 1999 report, "All services for those with a mental disorder should be consumer oriented and focused on promoting recovery.  That is, the goal of services must not be limited to symptom reduction but should strive for restoration of a meaningful and productive life."  In addition Dr. William Anthony of Boston University states, "The consumer literature suggests that recovery is a deeply personal, unique process of changing one's attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and/or roles.  It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life.  Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one's life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of psychiatric disability."

The following services assist consumers in recovery:

• Daily living skills training
• Social skills training
• Vocational skills training
• Medication Monitoring
• Money management
• After-care counseling
• Drop-in center
• Supported employment
• Intensive case management
• 24-hour crisis intervention
• Patient advocacy 

Case Management

Consumers participating in this program have a major mental illness and deficits in daily living skills.  Because of this each person is assigned a case management team that works with one consumer and his or her family to develop an individualized treatment plan.  The treatment plan is developed through a process of identifying the consumer's goals and then determining the skills and resources necessary to reach them.  Case workers assist consumers in providing assistance in navigating various entitlement programs, accessing medical and dental care, working with landlords, providing individual counseling, organizing daily chores and other activities of living in the community.

Representative Payee Service

The program manages the monthly incomes of nearly 180 consumers.  In addition to paying all monthly bills, the staff assists consumers in developing budgets to ensure all of their needs are met.

Due to long-term illnesses, many of the consumers lack budgeting skills and without these services, would be vulnerable to homelessness, not having enough food for the month and so on.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation

A major component in the treatment of individuals with psychiatric disabilities is the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program, providing groups to teach daily living skills, social skills and communication.  The goal is to improve community integration and to prepare the individual to live, learn, work and and socialize in the environments of their choice, with the least amount of professional intervention possible.

To find out more about the Robert Young Community Support Center
call (309) 779-2094 or CLICK HERE to access the District 22 Events Calendar!