25-05-2025
Piatt Co. Mental Health Board improves services for youth, seniors
PIATT COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The newly formed Piatt County Mental Health Board green lit their first major decision Friday night.
Back in November WCIA reported that a referendum to support under-funded and non-funded programs for mental health, substance use and developmental services across the county passed.
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Now, the board has voted to start three new mental health programs this fall. The programs will provide a therapist in two county school districts — work with the patients and caregivers of a long term care facility — and will start a family program for those involved in WIC.
Piatt County Mental Health Center Director Tony Kirkman said it's a big step forward for improving mental health services in the county.
'[With] data from the Illinois Department of Aging, the Illinois Youth Survey, some of our community health needs assessments, we identified that under resourced individuals, youth and the senior population all identified with having additional mental health concerns,' Kirkman said. 'So I'm really excited that the first couple of programs are addressing those needs that we have data on to be able to see how we can influence those in the upcoming years.'
He hopes the programs will begin this upcoming school year.
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