Turning Point BHCC in Skokie and The Josselyn Center in Northfield were recently chosen to receive new funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) for an innovative psychiatric respite care program that will result in decreased emergency room visits, lower costs associated with outpatient and preventive care, and the promotion of paraprofessionals who will act as peer counselors and advocates.  The program will demonstrate major cost savings in mental health crisis service delivery while caring for clients in a compassionate, non-intrusive, safe environment.

The Living Room will be a comfortable, non-clinical space that provides an alternative to hospital emergency rooms for clients experiencing a psychiatric emergency. The setting is intended to provide a restful, calm environment to allow participants to feel comfortable and safe so they can resolve issues without more intensive intervention.  There will be several conversation areas with soft seating, a separate quiet room for rest and a refreshment area with healthy food. This intermediary approach creates an opportunity to decompress and problem solve without seeking emergency room care. 

Trained Peer Counselors with personal experience in managing the challenges of mental illness will provide crisis intervention, counseling and mentoring with support from a nurse, program staff and Turning Point’s emergency team.  They will work to evaluate level of need and to develop a recovery plan to assist in returning to a more optimal level of functioning.

The Josselyn Center will open their Living Room on Monday, October 3, 2011.  Hours of operation for this site will be Monday, Tuesday and Saturday 3:00PM to 8:00PM (excluding holidays). 

Turning Point BHCC opened their Living Room on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.  Hours of operation for this site will be Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 3:00PM to 8:00PM (excluding holidays). 

Contact information:

Turning Point BHCC
Wednesday | Thursday | Sunday
8324 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077-2545
Courtney Emery, Asst. Program Director

Josselyn Center
Monday | Tuesday | Saturday
130 Waukegan Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
847-607-8915