Statewide Deaf & Hard of Hearing Coordinator Jessena Williams, MSW, LCSW 217-786-0023 Voice 217-786-0024 Fax 217-303-5807 Video Phone Office located at: McFarland MHC 901 Southwind Rd Springfield IL 62703 Jessena.Williams@illinois.gov Who is the Target Population? Anyone with Hearing Loss with a mental health need who is served by Division of Mental Health (DMH) services Can be either Adults and Children Hearing Loss includes: Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, and Latedeafened Coordinator can work with consumer, provider agency, and/or state-operated facility Who are the Providers? There are currently over 200 community providers who provide DMH-funded mental health services statewide. Find a provider by using the DHS office locator, and selecting Mental Health at the link below http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.asp x?item=27894
More than just counseling. DMH programs offer: Counseling: group and individual Case Management Psychiatric Services Individual & Placement Support: supported employment program Recovery Services: individuals who are currently in recovery with mental illness and/or substance abuse are employed as peers to empower recovery in others Housing Referrals Community Agencies with Specialized Deaf Mental Health Services Advocate Healthcare (located near Illinois Masonic Hospital) Chicago Anixter Center Chicago Mt. Sinai Psychiatry & Behavioral Health - Chicago (located near Mt. Sinai hospital) Center on Deafness Northbrook Mental Health & Deafness Arlington Heights Thresholds Chicago Focus of Position Advocacy Awareness and Education Accessibility
Current Initiatives Data Collection Needs Assessment Webpage Promotional Items Trainings Technical Assistance for agencies and clients Networking Meetings for Deaf Mental Health A little history lesson... Census count of how many people with hearing loss were currently in IL s SOFs A little history lesson... Results: Some were symptomatic and needed continued hx Some did not need continued hx Some did not have a hearing loss and did not need continued hx Opening of Chicago Read MHC s deaf inpatient unit
Supporting Legislation - 1988 The Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and PA 85-1415 reference the requirement of a coordinator of mental health services for persons with hearing loss Other Applicable Legislation State of IL: IL Interpreter Act of 2007 IL Human Rights Act Federal: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990- Title II Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Take-Home Message: This is NOT a best practice approach, this is THE LAW...
How do I stay within the law? Reach out for Support! Jessena.Williams@ illinois.gov 217-786-0023 Voice 217-786-0024 Fax 217-303-5807 VP A little background information Jessena Williams, MSW, LCSW, is the Statewide Coordinator for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the Illinois Department of Human Services- Division of Mental Health in Springfield, IL. She began these duties in June 2014 after the position had been vacant for numerous years. Previous to this, Jessena was a liaison for transitional housing programs for homeless veterans at the Veterans Health Administration in St. Louis. Jessena has worked for the State of Illinois collectively for 11 years in various capacities including the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD), the Department on Aging s Senior Helpline and Division of Developmental Disabilities Bureau of Quality Management. Jessena graduated from MacMurray College with a Bachelor s in Social Work and a minor in Deaf Education and Liberal Arts. During these studies, she was able to also work at Illinois School for the Deaf in their college worker immersion program for two years. This program enabled undergraduate students to work directly with students and also live in their dormitories on campus. Jessena worked with high school students in the dormitories during their morning routine, and also a recreation program after the school day. Additionally, she was employed as an office assistant in a grant-funded program that provided training and support to mainstream school professionals who served students with hearing loss. Her final position at ISD was as an Office Coordinator in the Career and Technical Education Center of their high school. During this time, she earned her Master s in Social Work degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She completed her MSW internship at McFarland Mental Health Center, and this led to eventual employment there as an inpatient social worker. In this capacity, Jessena worked with both the civil and forensic populations of individuals served. She obtained social work licensure in 2010. Jessena also has experience with free-lance interpreting. Jessena is eager to have a positive impact on the delivery of mental health services for the deaf and hard of hearing. She resides outside of Springfield, IL with her husband and two children.