Purpose

Historically, residents from Chicago’s West side communities who suffer from mental illness and substance use disorders are disproportionately incarcerated at Cook County Jail and Illinois Department of Corrections, etc., over utilize hospital emergency departments, and are confined in inpatient psychiatric units.  These incidents cost taxpayers millions of dollars annually and quite often contribute to further traumatization of victims through confinement and separation from loved ones and community support.  Traditionally, persons with mental health and substance use disorders are released into the community with poor linkage to vitally needed aftercare, resulting in high rates of recidivism.  The Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center (WCTWC) was conceptualized as a solution to this vicious cycle and as a system of care to ensure that persons are treated within the community, to minimize further traumatization, ensure firm linkages to needed ongoing treatment, and address the social and economic causes of emotional distress and substance use within the communities of East and West Garfield Park, Austin, and North Lawndale.

Historically, both WCTWC and BEW, were formed to address the myriad needs of primarily African Americans on Chicago’s Westside and have had tremendous programmatic and economic impact for over 40 years.  This programmatic thrust is the latest joint venture launched by two of the remaining African American agencies in Illinois.

Goals

1.     The WCTWC will significantly reduce unnecessary use of expensive hospital-based services and reduce incarcerations at the Cook County Jail by providing crisis intervention, stabilization, and wellness services within the community. 

2.     The WCTWC will reduce the utilization of high-end services (e.g. Emergency Department and Psychiatric Inpatient).

3.     The WCTWC will provide a safe environment within the community where residents can receive preventive services (i.e. stress reduction, mindfulness activities, food insecurity, appropriate socialization, employment assistance, housing resources, etc.); through aggressive community engagement, Assertive Community Treatment, Mobile Crisis, and wrap around services.

4.     The WCTWC will improve the quality of life for residents of the West Side by addressing social determinants of poor and deteriorating mental health and over reliance on psychoactive substances as a means of mitigating the effects of trauma.

5.     The WCTWC will provide effective intervention to reduce the impact of high stress emotional events that are associated with poor mental health and substance abuse.

6.     The WCTWC will ensure firm linkage of persons served to needed services.

7.     To provide access to therapeutic interventions, including Individual, Family, Group Therapy and intensive case management.

8.     To provide support to persons recovering from substance use disorders, by hosting self- help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

To collaborate with community partners, stakeholders, and community residents, etc. to assist in promoting a healthier community through community engagement and wellness activities within the WCTWC.

Referral Process

The WCTWC serves individuals in need of assistance with social determinants (i.e. food insecurity, employment assistance, housing resources, securing medical insurance, etc.) and those who are experiencing a Mental Health and/or Substance Use crisis. The WCTWC accepts self-referrals, walk-ins, drop-off by first responders, crisis hotline, mobile crisis, and other community agencies. No one is turned away for inability to pay.