Association House of Chicago

Behavioral health services - caring and dedicated bilingual staff provide an array of culturally competent and pioneering prevention, treatment, residential, and educational services to persons with mental and physical health needs, substance abuse and addictions, and developmental disabilities. Children, youth and adults find the help they deserve and the hope they need. Evidence-based programs enhanced with strong partnerships through research and training institutions are offered in english and spanish. Highly trained and licensed professional staff, including therapists, a psychiatrist, nurses, certified community educators, case managers, and counselors offer integrated care. Our integrated health services program helps clients find a health-home to address their multiple conditions. A medical professional provides regular, integrated primary and mental health monitoring, medication management, education, and support. We are a leader in innovative juvenile justice and violence prevention initiatives and services, which include case management, school-based counseling, and re-entry services for at-risk and system involved youth.

Child welfare services - a team of professionals protects children in department of children and family services custody from abuse and neglect and works with families to create safe homes. As the only bilingual foster care provider in the community, our services include child advocacy, parenting education and coaching, home visitation, therapy, and case management. Licensed child welfare staff cares for children affected by trauma, and provides a coordinated network of child-centered, family-focused, and community-based prevention services. We help keep children in their own homes with appropriate support, when possible. We find loving homes through guardianship and adoption, when needed. Intact family services prevents the unnecessary separation of children from their families by identifying family problems and risk factors and assisting families in obtaining the education and support they need.

For many young people, Association House high school is a better chance to earn a high school diploma. With small class sizes and a focus on individual learning, approximately 90 students find academic success, sometimes for the first time. Mentoring and tutoring services are provided to ensure that students are well-prepared for graduation, and to help create pathways for college, trade school, or viable employment. Additionally, the family literacy program provides on-site child care, early childhood education, and parenting training to parent students. Specialized programing is available for 16-year-olds before, during, and after school to encourage engagement and retention. This year, 33 students graduated from the program, overcoming great odds with hard work and high energy to make their dreams come true. Association House high school operates in collaboration with youth connection charter schools (yccs), alternative schools network, and the Chicago public schools.

Community health and workforce development - for more than a century, the agency has opened the doors of opportunity to the community. We offer programs in response to community needs for education, interventions for health issues, and economic improvement, all of which empower individuals to create actionable goals and advance their knowledge, well-being, and financial opportunity. Association House's integrative approach to workforce development helps participants meet their basic needs, while gaining education and developing hard and soft skills to improve their employability and achieve economic stability. We provide access to workforce development opportunities focused on financial careers, digital literacy training, and assistance with resumes and job placement. Staff is also available to offer support for public benefits screening and emergency food assistance. The community health focused programs provide direct, community-focused education and services through programs that address persistent health and wellness needs, and implements preventive and intervention strategies to promote physical, social, and emotional well-being. We strive to increase health and wellness at every age by providing health and nutrition education and hiv prevention, education and testing. Staff is certified to provide youth and adult mental health first aid training to the community partners and the public.

Participants have workforce development opportunities focused on financial careers training, technology, and customer service training that helps clients move from job readiness to job placement. A continuum of services that promotes education, training, and economic self-sufficiency helps families improve the quality of their lives. Association House offers basic computer education in english and spanish, microsoft office certification classes, and hosts open lab hours in our technology center during the week where individuals can print and fax resumes at no charge, and find assistance to search and apply for jobs. Staff is also available to offer support for public benefits screening and emergency food assistance.