Erie Family Health Center and Metropolitan Expand Behavioral Health Services in Evanston & Skokie
Erie Family Health Center and Metropolitan Family Services Evanston/Skokie Valley Center are joining forces to expand behavioral health services to children and families in Evanston and Skokie. Services will be provided at the Erie Evanston/Skokie Health Center, located at 1285 Hartrey Ave. in Evanston.
“Erie is proud to offer integrated medical, dental and behavioral health care for thousands of patients, regardless of ability to pay. This exciting partnership is one more example of how Erie Evanston/Skokie is a true medical home”, says Lisa Robinson, Director of Operations at Erie Evanston/Skokie Health Center.
Services include Parenting Fundamentals, a culturally sensitive, nationally recognized and evidence-based parenting curriculum that gives parents tools to help their children lead fulfilling and productive lives. The eight-week series, offered in Spanish and English, targets all developmental stages and covers topics such as positive discipline, communication and advocating for one’s child. Weekly sessions are free and open to Erie patients and the community, and childcare is provided.
The summer session of Parenting Fundamentals, offered in Spanish, will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursdays, from July 14 – September 1, 2016. This session will target parents of children 0-8. Registration deadline is Thurs., July 21, 2016. To register, call the program’s central intake number, 773-884-2290.
In addition to these educational opportunities, Metropolitan Family Services will offer pediatric behavioral health services on site at Erie every Wednesday. Erie providers will refer patients to the behavioral health consultants as needed.
“Some young people may benefit from just a one-time conversation with a professional, while others may need longer-term assistance,” says Fernando Freire, Program Director with Metropolitan Family Services. “Our counseling staff will make sure patients get connected to the help they need.”
Starting July 2016, Erie will provide a psychiatrist on site two days a week, for youth who have more complex needs. The psychiatrist will work closely with Metropolitan staff.
“We at Metropolitan Evanston/Skokie have long heard from partners about the great need for expanded behavioral health services for youth,” Freire adds. “We are truly delighted to partner with Erie Family Health Center to make this possible.”
About Metropolitan Family Services Evanston/Skokie Valley Center
Metropolitan Family Services’ Evanston/Skokie Valley Center provides comprehensive services for children and youth who face serious emotional and behavioral disorders and mental illness and has been part of the community since 1910. Metropolitan Evanston/Skokie is part of Metropolitan Family Services, which has been “Mpowering” Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities since 1857.
About Erie Family Health Center
Founded on Erie Street in Chicago in 1957, Erie Family Health Center is a community health center that provides compassionate, health care services. Serving nearly 70,000 medical and 12,000 dental patients via 300,000 visits at 13 centers throughout the city and surrounding suburbs, Erie delivers high-quality, culturally-competent, bilingual, comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care that responds to the needs of each community. Erie’s highly skilled providers, innovative partnerships and forward-thinking approach make it a national leader for the provision of community-based health care.