Status of Montgomery County Health Department Behavioral Health services due to the current COVID-19 situation:
Our Behavioral Health department is open at our Hillsboro office only.
Mental Health: We are doing individual mental health counseling and Nurse Practitioner medication monitoring services via phone call. First time mental health assessment appointments and psychiatric evaluations are being done in person. Crisis services are available in person or over the phone. All mental health groups are canceled through 5/29/20.
Substance Use Program: We are doing individual substance use assessments and counseling over the phone. DUI evaluations, Updates, and Denial Reviews are not being conducted until at least 5/29/20. All substance use program groups are canceled through 5/29/20.
The status of all group services will be reevaluated at the end of March. Please continue to monitor our Facebook page for updates. Please call 217-532-2001 if you have any questions.
To provide quality, professional, confidential services to persons experiencing symptoms of a mental health or substance abuse disorder and to educate the community to promote a better understanding of such symptoms and their consequences. These services are available to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religious affiliation, age, sex, or ability to pay.
Behavioral Health programs offered include:
The Montgomery County Health Department has a telehealth protocol during this time of COVID-19. Confidentiality is a key factor in successful counseling and we will make sure that protecting your privacy is the highest priority. These are difficult times and we are aware that counseling over the phone is not always the most comfortable approach for some people, but we have found it to be effective with most clients and it is certainly better than suffering with issues alone. We will work from home and have a confidential area so that our conversations will be private.
When you are notified by the office that you have an appointment, you will receive a private call to your number at the designated time with your counselor. If you need to reschedule the appointment, please call our office at 217-532-2001 as soon as possible.
Our services include mental health assessment and evaluation, individual and family counseling, psychiatric evaluation, ongoing psychiatric follow-up with medication monitoring, and facilitation of inpatient hospitalization.
For more information please call 217-532-2001.
MCHD offers Mental Health services to children and their families as well as adults. While all of our counselors are well qualified to work with children, we have two counselors who specialize in working mainly with clients below the age of 18. These services are offered at our Litchfield office as well as our main office in Hillsboro. One of our counselors can also see clients in the schools, if there is a significant need.
We offer emergency services for children as well as for adults. Because of state regulations we must sometimes refer a child in crisis to a another program (SASS), the fact that they are in that program does not stop them from receiving help at one of our facilities, and usually need to be seen by us to help follow up what the other program started. Our crisis line is staffed 24/7. The toll-free number is 1-888-324-5052.
Case Management services are needed when your child only needs to see our psychiatrist to follow up with medication. Many of the local doctors do not feel comfortable giving mood or behavior stabilizing medication to children and prefer those children to see our psychiatrist, who specializes in mental health needs. Your child would see a nurse who will help with any questions or need you or your child might have with their medication between visits to the psychiatrist.
Randy Thompson, B.A., MHP
Child Counselor
Hello, my name is Randy. I am looking forward to working with you in counseling. I have been a counselor at MCHD for almost 12 years. I specialize in cognitive/ behavioral counseling.
I know that you have already been made aware of confidentiality issues and HIPPA guidelines when you filled out your intake forms. Confidentiality is a key factor in successful counseling and I make sure that protecting your privacy is the highest priority. These are difficult times and I know that counseling over the phone is not always the most comfortable thing for some people, but I have found it to be effective with most clients and it is certainly better than suffering with issues alone. I work from home and have a confidential office to talk to you in.
When you are notified by the office that we have an appointment, you will receive a private call to your number at the designated time. That should be me. If you need to reschedule the appointment, please call our office at 217-532-2001 as soon as possible.
A little background on me:
I have been in counseling for 35 years now. I have two adult children and four grandsons. And I will apologize in advance if you are a Cardinals baseball fan. I like the Cubs. I have lived in Illinois for most of my life and work a side job as a magician. That is one of my hobbies. I like to draw, play with my grandchildren and go to concerts. Well, two out of three isn’t bad.
I look forward to talking with you soon.
Toll-free Crisis Hotline – 1-888-324-5052
This Emergency Help program operates 24 hours a day / 365 days each year to provide a timely response to people in psychiatric crisis throughout Montgomery County. First contact over the phone is provided to people in crisis offering the option of a face-to-face follow up. Screening for emergency hospitalization is offered in a variety of public settings, including hospitals, the Health Department, the County Jail and local police departments.
MCHD offers psychiatric services for those in our Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs with licensed Psychiatrist Mental Health Nurse Practitioners*. The PMHNPs provide diagnostic screenings and prescribe medications such as anti-depressants and anti-psychotics as needed. The individual may continue to see the PMHNPs even after their treatment is complete by being transferred to our Case Management Program.
*Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners – Sandra Cania, Jennifer Thery
Consulting Psychiatrist for Sandra Cania – Arif Habib, M.D.
Consulting Psychiatrist for Jennifer Thery – Sanjay Nigam, M.D.
MCHD also offers services from a Licensed Psychologist. A client can be seen by referral from MCHD Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder staff. The psychologist can do an array of testing and assessments appropriate to each client.
Psychologist – Michele Womontree, Psy.D.
This program is open to all men in need but primarily provides court-mandated treatment for men convicted of domestic abuse of a spouse within Montgomery County.
This program is for people who are having daily problems living with their persistent mental health problems. A home-like environment is provided to promote peer support and social interaction, activities that prevent social withdrawal and encourage friendships. The skills required for daily living are taught and practiced to maintain independence. Vocational services are also offered to assist with job placement and education.
NOTICE REGARDING GROUPS: All behavioral health groups are cancelled for the next two weeks. Groups will resume on August 31st. If you have any questions or need to speak to someone, please contact our office at 217-532-2001.
MCHD has an established substance use disorder program open to all county residents in need of substance use disorder treatment. We offer a variety of services including Outpatient Counseling, Psychiatric Services, Intervention, and DUI Services. Funding for this program is provided in part by DHS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
The Outpatient Counseling program typically consists of a minimum of three months or 30 hours, of counseling unless otherwise specified (as in DUI cases). Outpatient counseling consists of individual sessions for 1 hour every 2 – 4 weeks and group counseling once a week for 2 hours. These sessions are used to focus on the individual’s problems usually stemming from their substance abuse and examine ways to change their attitudes and behaviors. We concentrate on various issues such as denial, self-esteem, family, relationships, coping skills, addiction, values, consequences, and relapse prevention. However, we encourage our participants to present their own topics or concerns for discussion. Both the groups and the individual counseling are provided by Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday – 8 am to 6 pm
Tuesday – 8 am to 8 pm
Friday – 8 am to 5 pm
Group Counseling
Tuesday Evening – 6 to 8 (Hillsboro Office)
Wednesday Morning – 10 to 12 (Hillsboro Office)
Friday Morning – 10 to 12 (Litchfield Office)
Women Specific Treatment and Recovery Services
MCHD provides or arranges for gender-specific substance abuse treatment and other therapeutic interventions for women, which may address issues of relationships, sexual and physical abuse, trauma and parenting. Pregnant women in need of services shall be given preference in admissions. If our program is unable to admit a pregnant woman because of insufficient capacity or because we do not provide the necessary services, we will make a referral to another program and will documented within 48 hours of the request. Pregnant women receiving interim services will be placed at the top of any waiting list for admission.
Components of the Program:
- To provide an evidence based youth prevention program in middle/junior/high schools throughout Montgomery County
- To advise youth advocacy committees to support teen drug free lifestyles
- To connect with key community stakeholders to promote a safe and drug free Montgomery County
- To distribute campaign materials on effects of underage drinking and Guard and Discard safe medication protection and disposal
- To promote SAMHSA’s Prevention Week in May and Drug Take Back Programs in our area
MCHD provides court mandated DUI evaluations by a certified DUI specialist. The DUI program offers a remedial education class as well as treatment required by the Secretary of State. Our Driver Safety and Education Class satisfies the remedial education requirement required for Level I and Level II DUI’s. This class meets weekly for four weeks to meet the required 10 hours of education. In order to complete this class successfully, the participants are required to take and pass a written exam. Another service provided is the DUI Update Evaluation which is needed prior to a Secretary of State hearing when the original evaluation is older than six months. The Investigative Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Report, or Non–DUI evaluation, can also be obtained when required by the Secretary of State for various other driving violations resulting in the suspension/revocation of one’s driving privileges.