Piatt County Mental Health Center

03/30/2026

"Hear ye, Hear ye!" We are so thankful for a recent grant that allowed a group of our DS friends to attend an event for the ages...Middle Ages!! This past Friday some of our staff and consumers were able to enjoy a delicious dinner and exciting entertainment at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Chicagoland. We love creating memories for our friends and their smiles make it all worth it!

03/25/2026

Yesterday our Outpatient Behavioral Health Team had an amazing visit with a very talented MHS Senior, who shared a little about a wellness journal she wrote and published called Exquisite Acceptance. We were happy to have purchased (2) of her journals and one will remain in our reception area for patrons to utilize. The author states that her intent behind this guide is: "I created this as a reminder that you don’t have to become someone else to be worthy. You just have to meet yourself where you are." We are so proud of the work that she has done and so impressed with the pursuit of wellness demonstrated by our amazing youth. Well done!

03/24/2026

Our CDS Family loves to go on outings to have a great time and we love to take them! Last week they visited Old Orchard Lanes and Links and enjoyed a great time of laughs and creating memories.

03/23/2026

Thankful to partner with our friends at Monticello, IL Police Department to enhance the safety and awareness for all of our community members.

The Monticello Police Department would like to thank the Piatt County Mental Health Center for collaborating with us to start the Blue Envelope Program! Envelopes are ordered and will be in soon.

03/15/2026

Your 2026 4th place Piatt County Golden Eagles Special Olympics Basketball Team had an awesome season. Congratulations to Leland for receiving the sportsmanship award for this game! Thank you to the athletes, coaches, families, and our amazing community for helping us have an amazing season!

03/12/2026

Attention Piatt County Families, just a quick reminder of an amazing program that exists for youth who:

• Are between the ages of 8–17
• Have an ASD diagnosis (Level 2 preferred), or are highly likely to meet diagnostic criteria, along with a co-occurring behavioral health condition (SED, SMI, etc.)
• Are transitioning from inpatient care, at risk of hospitalization, or experiencing serious challenges in community living
• Are not eligible for similar state-funded programs, such as HFS Pathways for Success or DHS DDD Home-Based Services

• This is a pilot program for the State and we need to show utilization for these services or face risk that it will be discontinued in the next Fiscal Year! Spread the word.

03/10/2026

Not only do we pride ourselves at creating a warm, welcoming environment for those we support, we also strive to be a place that helps invest into our workforce. One member of our work family, Kaitlyn, started with us as a receptionist while still an undergrad social work student at the University of Illinois. Over the next several years, we were extremely proud to watch her develop her skills and credentials in our Outpatient Program and now are thrilled to celebrate her achievement as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker!!! She has been a pivotal part of the team and has helped with bringing healing to our community for several years! Congratulations, Kaitlyn and Happy Social Worker Month to all of our dedicated Behavioral Health Workers in Piatt County!

03/06/2026

Thank you so much to the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation for this very generous opportunity!! This grant will allow (2) of our staff to attend a National HR Conference in Chicago that will hopefully help us identify efficiencies, reduce liabilities, and acquire resources to aid our amazing staff by creating a safe, supportive, and informative working environment. Thank you again for your generosity and the many ways you support our mission and our community!

March 3, 2026 - Andrea Gerhard of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, and Jill Reedy and Sarah Smith o...

03/04/2026

Last week some of our CDS Consumers had a wonderful time visiting the Children's Museum of Illinois! There was so much to do and to look out. Here are a few pictures of our local artists at work. Great job everyone!

03/02/2026

March is recognized in Illinois as Developmental Disabilities Month. In recognition of this observance, the Governor has issued the attached proclamation acknowledging individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as valued members of communities across our State, as well as the families, service providers, and professionals who support them. This month provides a time to reflect on the presence, contributions, and experiences of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Illinois.

02/27/2026

Great things can happen when collaboration is a core principle. Today several local organizations came together to talk about how we can jointly raise the awareness of mental health and reduce stigma related to treatment. Be on the lookout for the fruits of these discussions during May's Mental Health Awareness Month. Thank you to KayBee Community Cafe, The Jamie Boone Project, Hope Lives Youth Ranch, Piatt County Sheriff's Office, Yoga Off the Square, Never Forgotten Services, PLLC, and 708 Mental Health Board of Piatt County for coming to the table and for your contributions to our community.

02/26/2026

This week we celebrate the retirement of one of our amazing therapists, Mrs. Janet R. She has faithfully served our community in this capacity since 2017. She has been an amazing advocate and encourager of many, including this team that will miss her dearly. We do wish her the best on her next adventure and thank her for her immense impact on making this a kinder world to live in. Recently a quote from famous therapist, Virginia Satir, came to mind when thinking of our dear friend, Janet. “As a therapist, I am a companion. I try to help people tune into their own wisdom.”