Nicasa, NFP

A clinically-managed, low-intensity, extended residential treatment center for adults who are in need of substance abuse recovery and maintenance support. This transitional program (categorized as a SUPR III.1 Level service) is for both men and women who are experiencing difficulties with substance abuse. Individuals enter the program via referrals from other substance abuse providers (e.g. higher end residential or hospital settings), Lake County and McHenry County Drug Courts, Lake County Mental Health Court, and other local area providers. The site contains 20 beds total, with two that can accommodate differently abled individuals (ADA compliant) , and is staffed 24/7/365 for supervision and support. All services are provided in English and Spanish. The focus of the program is to support individuals through the recovery process and provide them with skills, tools, and connections that will lead to stability in order for them to move on and enjoy substance-free living while becoming productive members of society.

All individuals residing here must be free from any substances for at least 30 days before entering and are expected to remain substance-free throughout their time in the program. Additionally, individuals are expected to be responsible for general chores and treat the building as if it were their own home (e.g. weekly scheduling of meals, cleaning, and etc.). An initial down-payment is required upon entering the program to cover the first 28 days of treatment. Co-pays are then required in order to remain in the program.

Programming within this treatment center requires individuals to attend a minimum of 1 hour of therapy per week, 5 groups per week, participate in drug testing, daily meditation, substance abuse counseling, identify and communicate with a sponsor, and engage in either school, work, or volunteering for at least 3 days per week. There are also healthy recovery activities that are offered for positive social engagements, as well as opportunities for family visiting days and family therapy. Some examples of groups and activities include Art Impact, Bible Study, Community Group, Family Group, Peer Recovery activities, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and more.

In addition to the general programming outline, there is also the ability to provide individualized treatment. Some approaches and modalities that support the independent and strengths-based environment include cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Matrix Model, motivational interviewing, and other evidenced-based models.

Individuals typically stay in the program for 90 days (case-by-case determinations are required in order to extend their time). Upon discharge from the program, staff connects individuals to other internal programs to assist with housing and/or securing a space in a sober living facility/location, as well as external services and supports.

Participating police departments refer juvenile offenders (ages 10-18) in order to address the root cause of their offense, change their behavior, and reduce recidivism in the future. This voluntary program, based on balanced and restorative justice, allows a youth to admit guilt and commit to learning from their mistake from a sentence determined by a jury of peers. Services include activities that result in learning, understanding, and implementing behavior change. Any child with a drug or alcohol offense is required to be evaluated by a Nicasa counselor and follow through with recommendations. All services are provided in English and Spanish.

Advocacy, case management, information, and referrals for families in crisis that have children under the age of 18. A Family Advocacy Center Facilitator meets with individuals to assess for needs of themselves and their family, provide parenting education, and coordinate services and connections to necessary resources. Areas of need that the program can help coordinate with include parenting, medical, insurance (Medicaid), housing, problem gambling, substance abuse, mental health, immigration, education, some transportation (as it connects with other identified services), emergency assistance (like locating an open shelter), and more. Once needs are identified, the Facilitator will connect the individual and their family to the appropriate resources and social programs. All services are provided in English and Spanish.

*Please note that while the program does not have housing vouchers, we can work with families in locating a place to live and connect them to local area housing authority programs.*

Parenting education is provided in either individual or group formats for an average of 6-8 weeks (some time-frames may differ depending on individual needs and attendance). Parent-education and support programming is designed to build on strengths and empower parents to improve family communication and functioning while decreasing family conflict.There are also parenting groups for families with DCFS involvement. The Birthing Group (new parents) and Becoming Group (already parents) provide parenting education as well as a space for individuals to discuss DCFS questions, concerns, challenges, involvement, court, foster parents, and any other elements connected to the child protection system with a DCFS representative. For these individuals, status and completion letters can be provided to caseworkers and other providers that require documentation. For those not involved with DCFS the program is able to provide prevention education so that new families do not become involved in the child protection system. All services are provided in English and Spanish.

The Wraparound program is a DCFS-contracted service for families with an open Intact Family Preservation or Foster Care case. Voluntary program that receives referrals directly from caseworkers for families who are close to a point of case closure (Intact) or are soon to be reunited with their children (Foster Care). WRAP Facilitator meets with the family on a weekly basis in the home to provide additional support and coordinates meetings with family and caseworker. Additional support may include minor transportation, furnishings for new living space, seeking employment, obtaining identification for social benefits, and more to stabilize the family and eliminate the need for DCFS involvement in the future. All services are provided in English and Spanish.

In-School: The program is a collaboration between the individual middle schools in Waukegan and Nicasa Behavioral Health Services. The program is offered in all of the middle schools, except Jack Benny Middle School, in English and Spanish. The schools offer time during the day to deliver the programming to the students. The teachers often remain in the classroom during sessions so that they are better able to reinforce what is being discussed with the class. A multi-sector Community Advisory Board tracks the successes and progress of the program as well.

We utilize the "Too Good For Drugs" curriculum, which is designed to reduce risk factors for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD). Protective factors in this program are enhanced via lessons on decision-making, pro-social connections, identification and management of emotions, and positive communication. The curriculum was developed by the C. E. Mendez Foundation and is proven to diminish ATOD among participating students and positively impact the risk and protective factors surrounding youth alcohol and drug abuse. This evidenced-based model program requires 10 sessions and 5 boosters implemented in 30-60 minute segments.

After School: Nicasa Behavioral Health Services' after school programs are 21st Century Community Learning Center state grantees and take place in both Round Lake middle schools and the Round Lake Senior High School. These are prevention programs, provided in English and Spanish, that seek to prevent drug and alcohol use, gang involvement, and other delinquent behaviors while promoting skill building that can improve upon school success. These programs target youth at risk of academic failure in one or more subjects and offer tutoring in math and language arts, homework assistance, life skill education, STEM activities, career exploration, service learning, health and nutrition education, recreational activities, leadership development, and experiential activities. There is a monthly parent night, the most well-attended of any other state grantee, and the programs provide students with a positive peer group and role models in a safe environment during the after school hours when youth are in the most danger of becoming perpetrators or victims of crime. The overarching goal is to show the students the importance of school and what success in school can help them achieve. Nicasa Behavioral Health Services' philosophy is that youth work towards a future they can see and our after school programs seek to expand their vision.

Gambling addiction counseling and intervention programs, including self-exclusion. Consultations, evaluations, assessments, education, and treatment for youth and adults experiencing problem gambling. Individuals are assessed and recommended for treatment based on severity and other identified needs. Services are provided in individual or group modalities (including telehealth). Counselors can address co-occurring gambling, substance abuse, and mental health disorders as well. All services are provided in English and Spanish. There are also recovery support groups (e.g. Gamblers Anonymous) available for individuals and their family members, as well as various outreach efforts across the community. Nicasa Behavioral Health Services is 1 of only 9 state-licensed facilities in all of Illinois to provide these services, and it is the only provider of its kind in northern Illinois.

Nicasa is the only problem gambling service provider in northern IL, and is one of only nine state-funded providers in all of Illinois.

Consultations, assessments/evaluations, and outpatient mental health treatment for youth and adults covering a wide range of diagnoses and concerns. Services begin with a 2-hour assessment and then treatment is provided in individual, family, and group modalities (depending on the needs of the primary individual). Staff can address co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders as well. Anyone requiring psychiatric care and/or medication monitoring is referred out accordingly. All services are provided in English and Spanish, and there is a focus on treating those who are uninsured, under-insured, and/or undocumented.

Offers comprehensive treatment, early intervention, and recovery support services to Transitional Age Youth (18-25 years old) with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, and their families/caregivers. The program provides a free tablet to complete online learning components and offers reduced co-pays for behavioral health treatment received at Nicasa. Services include substance abuse and mental health treatment, assistance with enrolling in Medicaid and/or the insurance marketplace, integration with primary healthcare, employment assistance, connections to address other identified needs, trauma-informed programming, family/caregiver education and socialization, recovery activities, connection to the recovery community, and more. All services are provided in English and Spanish.

Provides adults who have been in jail 2 times or more and are approaching release with education, treatment, information, and resources so that they can return productively and successfully back to the community and not reoffend in the future. This is a free and voluntary program in collaboration with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Lake County Health Department. Services include mental health evaluations, peer support, programming for anger management, substance abuse, and parenting, assistance with employment, housing, transportation, and clothing, connections to resources for other identified needs, and more. All services are provided in English and Spanish.

Offers a connection to stable, permanent housing, behavioral health treatment, peer recovery support services, and employment assistance to individuals and families with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders (mental health, substance abuse, and/or developmental disabilities) that are homeless or are at risk of homelessness. This is a free program in collaboration with PADS Lake County. Additional services include integration with primary healthcare, enrolling in Medicaid and/or the insurance marketplace, connections to address other identified needs, trauma-informed programming, and more.