State Representative Yingling Talks Budget with Nicasa

State Representative Sam Yingling (62nd District) visited Nicasa Behavioral Health Services yesterday to learn firsthand the effects the state budget impasse is having on social service agencies.

Nicasa is one of many local agencies that is struggling with decreased or suspended payments from the State of Illinois.

“It’s a very tough time. We’ve had to downsize staff and operations, but the need for services has not decreased. It has actually increased,” said Elizabeth Thielen, one of Nicasa’s Senior Directors.

Nicasa provides substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and family crisis management for more than 5,000 men, women, and youth each year; and reaches thousands more with school- and community-based prevention programming.

Senior Director Dennis Lubchenko is concerned about the availability of services for people most in need.

“This funding problem is causing a shift in the population served. Agencies have to serve people who can pay, or who have insurance to pay, and are not able to target the most at-risk populations,” said Lubchenko.

And the at-risk population is coming in with more and more basic needs – shelter, food, winter coats, socks.

“We’re going to be doing a lot of crisis intervention,” said Thielen, “rather than focusing on overall wellness and long-term stability.”

Unfortunately, there is no good solution to the State budget problem, and social services funding is one of the few areas that have any leeway.

“I think it’s important for people to be acutely aware of the situation,” said Yingling, “We have to be prepared for substantial cuts to funding for social services in the next year.”

Nicasa is a not-for-profit behavioral health services organization that is helping build brighter futures for vulnerable and at-risk children, adults, and families in Lake County and northern Illinois. Founded in 1966, Nicasa’s network of dedicated and caring professionals has been pioneering award-winning efforts in prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery. Core services include substance abuse treatment programs, in-school and after school programs, mental health services, family therapy, Teen Court, parent education classes, counseling, and a residential recovery program. For more information about Nicasa visit www.nicasa.org.