GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ADDISON TOWNSHIP MENTAL HEALTH BOARD
- Increase system-wide coordination and collaboration among behavioral health system partners and stakeholders.
- Provide information to community residents to increase public awareness and education of behavioral health needs in the community and available support resources.
- Conduct ongoing assessment to identify community needs and prioritize service provision.
- Ensure that local tax funds are allocated and monitored in an effective and responsible manner.
- Collect and analyze data within Addison Township to track and monitor community impact of funding.
Based on the above guiding principles, the Addison Township 708 Board will prioritize the following in Year One:
- Increase public awareness and education.
- Identify community needs and service priorities.
- Deploy resources to service township residents.
- Collect and monitor data for impact analysis.
- Build internal capacity of 708 Board to best serve Addison Township.
Goal 1: Increase Public Awareness and Education
- Provide information on mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use to community stakeholders.
- Educate the public as to the purpose of the Mental Health Board and the services that are available to them in the community.
- Increase Mental Health Board social media presence and seek alternative methods of public outreach (i.e. mental health forums, presentations to community groups, editorial column, press releases, website)
Goal 2: Identify Community Needs and Service Priorities
- Conduct a preliminary community needs assessment.
- Utilize needs assessment results to identify system gaps and service priorities.
Goal 3: Deploy Resources to Serve Township Residents
- Develop grant application policies and procedures.
- Award funds to organizations to address unmet needs of Addison Township residents in the areas of mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and addiction.
Goal 4: Build internal capacity of 708 Board to best serve Addison Township
- Gather information about the operations, policies, and practices of existing 708 Boards in Illinois.
- Adopt the use of best practices and other effective operational strategies from successful 708 Boards in the area.
Goal 5: Seek alternative methods of funding
- Determine whether there are alternative sources of funding available for the provision of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use services.
- Use opportunities to engage with county, state, and federal agencies to increase access and coordination with regards to Addison Township residents' needs.
