Community Survey Results
Community Survey
Executive Summary
Mental Health
If you answered somewhat or very hard, why do you think it would be hard to get treatment or care in Wayne Township?
Do not know where to go or who to see82%
Cost of service42%
Long wait times to get an appointment40%
Not enough mental health professionals in Wayne Township34%
Service is not available in Wayne Township24%
Health insurance does not cover17%
No public transportation to facilities16%
Mental health professionals don't take Medicaid16%
Other responses:
Very difficult to find good information. Lack of community education
No services available when we needed
Some comments that the Township shouldn't be involved in mental health issues
What type of mental health support service is not available in Wayne Township?
Most responders were not sure.
Responses given:
Substance Use
If you answered "somewhat hard" or "very hard", why do you think it would be hard to get treatment or care in Wayne Township?
Do not know where to go or who to see57%
Not enough professionals who provide care in Wayne16%
Cost of service16%
Long wait times to get appointment15%
Service not available in Wayne9%
Health insurance doesn't cover it8%
Professionals who provide support don't take Medicaid7%
No public transportation to facilities5%
Professionals who provide support don't speak my language1%
Other responses:
Too few success stories
Some comments that the Township shouldn't be involved in substance use issues
Please note that several people took the survey before the option to select multiple options was fixed and so some were only able to select their top choice.
What type of substance abuse support service is not available in Wayne Township?
Most replies were unsure.
Other responses:
Developmental Disabilities
If you answered "very hard" or "somewhat hard", why do you think it would be hard to get treatment or care in Wayne Township?
Do not know where to go or who to see59%
Cost of service22%
Not enough professionals who provide care in Wayne21%
Long wait times to get appointment11%
Health insurance doesn't cover it11%
Service not available in Wayne7%
No public transportation to facilities7%
Professionals who provide support don't take Medicaid6%
Professionals who provide support don't speak my language0%
Other responses:
Wouldn't know where to go or call if I needed this service. No roadmap telling me what to do.
Too confusing and stressful
Illinois badly underfunded for developmental disability assistance
No one at township could direct for support
Not enough providers and lack of support for individuals with physically aggressive behaviors. Wait lists are long and it's a very politically driven process rather than focusing on creatively supporting the individual with a DD.
Wait times for services outside of school hours were a huge issue. Wait lists were excessive, like a year long.
School didn't provide
What type of support service for people with developmental disabilities is not available in Wayne Township?
Most answered they didn't know, however many had ideas:
Biggest Issues & Needs
Overall, what are the biggest issues or needs related to mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities in Wayne Township?
22More information provided to citizens on where and how to find care
9Cost
9Not enough professionals to meet the needs / Long wait lists
4Mental health for young children
4Stigma
4Depression / Anxiety
2Access to care
2Local support groups
2Develop a community "Wellness Hub" offering drop-in counseling, group therapy, and stress management programs
2Transportation
Additional responses:
Services for adults with DD after age 22 (when schools no longer provide services)
Alcohol abuse
Help navigating technology to find providers
Services for autistic kids and families
Coordinator for financial services and eligibility
Centralized way to find providers in Wayne Township
Prevention and Early Intervention
Partner with schools for mental health screenings, counseling and resilience training
Provide teacher and staff training to identify early signs of depression, anxiety, or violent ideation
Offer parent workshops to help recognize and address mental health or substance abuse concerns early
Launch peer mentor programs in high schools and colleges to support students at risk
Loneliness for seniors
No housing/treatment centers in the area
Substance use: legal and illegal
Speech and Occupational therapy
Online gambling
Online porn
Holistic care
Lack of support from employers
Inpatient hospitalizations are not long enough
Proactive mental health resources (not just when a problem arises)
Substance use education for young people
Crisis Prevention and Response
Establish a crisis intervention team combining mental health professionals with police and EMS
Set up an anonymous tip and text line for community members to report concerns safely
Create a short-term crisis stabilization center as an alternative to hospital ER visits
Partner with local employers to provide workplace stress programs, burnout prevention workshops, and on-site counseling
Offer accessible stress management activities such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness sessions at little or no cost
Lack of law enforcement for drug sales and abuse
Stress and overworked in order to survive with our cost of living
Improving Quality of Life
Related to mental health, substance use and disabilities, what could be done to improve the quality of life in the community?
26Increase awareness of services and how to access
9More affordable / providers that take Medicaid/Medicare
6Increase the number of providers
5Reduce stigma through education
5Support groups / family therapy
3Transportation
3Residential programs for substance abuse rehab
2Mental health reps at local events
2Day program for adults with DD
2Exercise / recreational activities for improved mental health
2Access to care
2Stricter law enforcement
Additional responses:
Senior services
Dietician to give guidance
Drop in center for referral
Seminars for loved ones
Help poor or marginalized communities
No more vape shops or cannabis stores
Demographics
Including yourself, how many adults 18 years old and older live in your household?
2 adults54%
3 adults15%
1 adult13%
4 adults8%
How many children ages 17 and younger live in your household?
0 children75%
1 child11%
2 children4%
Is a language other than English primarily spoken in your home?
Yes: two Spanish, one Gujarati and one Tagalog
Service Provider Survey Results
Service Provider Survey
Executive Summary
Mental Health
How easy or hard do you think it would be to find mental health treatment or care in Wayne Township?
16 responses
56.3% Somewhat hard
31.3% Somewhat easy
9.4% Very hard
3% Very easy
If you answered somewhat or very hard above, why do you think it would be hard for residents to get treatment or care in Wayne Township? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
12 responses
Cost of service8 (66.7%)
Long wait times to get an appointment8 (66.7%)
Do not know where to go or who to see7 (58.3%)
Health insurance does not cover7 (58.3%)
Not enough mental health professionals7 (58.3%)
No public transportation to facilities5 (41.7%)
Mental health professionals don't take Medicaid5 (41.7%)
Service is not available in Wayne Township3 (25%)
Other reasons2 (16.7%)
Other reasons shared:
Most well-qualified clinicians do not take Medicaid. Additionally, the cost of mental health treatment is prohibitive, even with acceptable insurance, because high co-pays or co-insurance is required at each session, sessions are 1x/weekly or greater.
Specialized mental health services for very young children and those with disabilities
What type of mental health support service is not available in Wayne Township?
Free mindfulness help
Psychiatry, testing, Spanish speaking therapists, support groups
Psychiatry, low cost counseling, help purchasing insurance, medication assistance, services in languages other than English
Group and family therapy seemingly inadequate... especially when language, cultural barriers are in play
Affordable substance abuse treatment
Assessment psychologists and prescribing psychiatrists who take Medicaid
Substance Use
How easy or hard do you think it would be to get substance abuse treatment or care in Wayne Township?
15 responses
33.3% Somewhat hard
33.3% Somewhat easy
26.7% Very hard
6.7% Very easy
If you answered "somewhat hard" or "very hard" above, why do you think it would be hard for residents to get treatment or care in Wayne Township? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
12 responses
Do not know where to go or who to see8 (66.7%)
Health insurance does not cover8 (66.7%)
Not enough professionals who provide care6 (50%)
Cost of service6 (50%)
Professionals don't take Medicaid6 (50%)
Professionals don't speak my language6 (50%)
Service is not available in Wayne Township5 (41.7%)
No public transportation to facilities4 (33.3%)
Long wait times to get an appointment3 (25%)
Other reasons2 (16.7%)
Other reasons shared:
Most residential treatment centers are full and many take limited, selected, forms of insurance.
What type of substance abuse support service is not available in Wayne Township?
Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization
Services for Medicaid, Medication Assisted treatment, Medication assistance, Psychiatry, support groups besides AA
Detox... short and long term rehab programs. Access to adequate groups and support networks.
Developmental Disabilities
How easy or hard do you think it would be to get treatment or care for a developmental disability in Wayne Township?
15 responses
53.3% Somewhat hard
33.3% Somewhat easy
13.3% Very hard
If you answered "very hard" or "somewhat hard" above, why do you think it would be hard for residents to get treatment or care in Wayne Township? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
13 responses
Do not know where to go or who to see9 (69.2%)
Cost of service7 (53.8%)
No public transportation to facilities7 (53.8%)
Health insurance does not cover6 (46.2%)
Not enough developmental disability professionals6 (46.2%)
DD health professionals don't take Medicaid6 (46.2%)
DD health professionals don't speak my language6 (46.2%)
Long wait times to get an appointment6 (46.2%)
Service is not available in Wayne Township5 (38.5%)
Other reasons2 (15.4%)
What type of support service for people with developmental disabilities is not available in Wayne Township?
I am not aware of direct service providers accepting Medicaid serving within WT
Short and long term housing. Support services to provide basic help to help gain appropriate independence. Job coaching and shortage of jobs. Inadequate IL state services for people with disabilities. Inadequate collaboration.
Day programming / Recreational Programming
Psychological assessment
Biggest Issues & Needs
Overall, what are the biggest issues or needs related to mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities in Wayne Township?
6Access / Not enough providers / long wait times (especially for underserved populations)
4Accepting all forms of insurance (Medicaid or sliding scale fee) providers
4Communication about availability
3Stigma / cultural acceptance
3Language barriers
Additional responses:
Affordability
Transportation
People without insurance don't get the help that they need
Insurance denials, care limits and low reimbursement rates
Low cost and culturally accessible services including medication and medication assisted treatment, counseling, case management, psychiatric services, and support for dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders. Needs cover the life span.
Flexible hours of availability
Affordable outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment (Eng/Spanish)
Strengths & Weaknesses of Local Systems
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the local systems that provide mental health, substance abuse and/or developmental disability services?
Access of care
The organizations that are available are small and don't have a large capacity
These services can be expensive and if have no insurance, it will be hard to get them.
I think that people are afraid of being vulnerable and ask for help and there is a lot of fear as culturally they are not used to ask for help.
Strengths: wide network county-wide of service providers. Challenge: access in all its forms
Collaboration between various service providers is a strength. Funding is the biggest challenge agencies face which limits access for those who need it most.
In DuPage County (not necessarily Wayne) there are high quality medical providers, health systems, counseling agencies (for profit and nonprofit both) etc. But there is inadequate availability of low cost treatment options for uninsured or Medicaid enrolled, psychiatric services are woefully inadequate, and wait lists for care for low income are often long. There is also a need for more culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
Those who are here really care and understand this community. They are willing to help and often go above and beyond
Lack of publicity
We have a wonderful county behavioral health crisis system. The 211 system is an excellent source of information for people. Weaknesses: lack of nearby substance abuse treatment (IOP and PHP), lack of Spanish-speaking providers, transportation barriers
Too much overlap county/township
Good peer support services like NAMI and AA and many providers for those with private insurance but not enough Medicaid providers
Improving Quality of Life
Related to mental health, substance use and disabilities, what could be done to improve the quality of life in the community?
Help with co-pay or co-insurance expenses with some form of fee offset
Access to care on website list of providers
Increase service capacity through increased funding
I think that depression support groups in Spanish could help people to get help
Coordinate services and make them available via awareness and coordination. Too many grant dollars wasted when we are duplicating services and not coordinating efforts that make services available to those who can most benefit from them!
Increase awareness and reducing stigma by promoting and partnering with existing service providers
Subsidies for providers delivering services at a loss (gap funding), medication assistance, help purchasing high quality health insurance, funding for psychiatric care
The fee structure of care and the availability based on insurance has to change
More awareness to the needs and to the assets available in the community. Better collaboration.
A system where people can ask questions on where to get services
Increase the number of bilingual providers (MH & SUD treatment). Create a fund to provide rides for people to get to and from their appointments at DuPage County Behavioral Health and other providers.
Better support services
From a school perspective how to partner with the school and outside agencies
Co-Occurring Issues
What co-occurring issues do you see with your mental health, substance abuse and/or developmental disability clients?
4Financial issues / stress
3Employment that pays a living wage
2Depression and anxiety
2Adequate housing
Additional responses:
Affordability
Domestic violence
Parenting stress, unhealthy co-parent relationships
Transportation
Long wait lists for services
Funding does not cover cost of services
Trauma, drivers of health, poverty, stigma/reluctance to seek treatment
Lots of family care needed, not just an individual within the family. A whole family approach is crucial, with providers being willing to communicate amongst each other to support
Relapse, despair, inconsistency, dependence on things that don't help, increased availability to harmful substance, lack of desire to improve, limited hope, limited opportunity for lasting rehabilitation...
Participating Organizations
Center for Cognitive-Behavioral and Prescriptive Psychotherapy, Ltd.
Individualized treatment for depression/mood-spectrum disorders, anxiety-spectrum disorders/PTSD, substance abuse disorders. Experienced in co-morbidity and complex problems.
Unincorporated West Chicago and surrounding areas
Goodman Psychologist Associates
Individual therapy for children through adults, couples, families and psychological testing
Wayne and surrounding areas including Bartlett
Wayne Winfield Area Youth Family Services (WAYS)
Mental health counseling, group counseling, youth tutoring, youth summer day camp, in-school prevention groups
Towns in Wayne & Winfield Townships
Resurrection Church
Faith based services
Wayne Township
Healthy West Chicago
Cooking classes, nutrition workshops, movement events
West Chicago
Teen Parent Connection
Home visiting, doula support, childbirth education, parenting groups, comprehensive mental health services, Parents' Pantry, prevention and education in schools
DuPage County and Schaumburg Township
Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley
Pediatric therapy including mental health and Early Intervention for children with disabilities. Audiology services for all ages and abilities.
Suburban Chicago (Elgin, Naperville, Villa Park)
DuPage Health Coalition
Comprehensive health access for low income and uninsured residents, subsidy for health insurance purchase, health education including mental health first aid, free pharmacy in Wheaton
DuPage County
West Chicago Community High School
Public Education
West Chicago, Winfield, Carol Stream
Christ Fellowship Church
Support and care for those with connection to the church community
Greater Chicagoland
BZA Behavioral Health
Therapy, medication management, and neuropsych testing
Carol Stream Police Department Social Services Unit
Crisis intervention, free counseling to residents and crime victims, community programming, court advocacy for victims, Christmas Sharing program, summer back-to-school backpack giveaways
Village of Carol Stream
Center for Personal Growth, PLLC
Mental health assessment and outpatient treatment, and assessment for developmental disabilities
Carol Stream
Wheaton Academy
