Local Early Childhood & Autism Services | Comcast Newsmakers

Local Early Childhood & Autism Services - 5:14

Kelly Anne Ohde, Easterseals

Posted Oct 23, 2018

Easterseals changes the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day. Easterseals serves 33,000 clients annually in early childhood and autism programs across Chicagoland and the Rockford Region in Illinois. The organization provides a wide-range of programs, some of which include therapeutic schools for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual disabilities, inclusive early childhood education, early intervention, home visiting, training and more. Throughout all of life’s moments – from the ordinary to the extraordinary, and everything in between – Easterseals is here. We’re right beside families – listening, understanding, helping in the ways they ask us to, giving support, cheering them on. Easterseals is a team of problem-solvers, skilled practitioners and people committed to sweeping away limitations and shattering stereotypes.

Hosted by: Ellee Pai Hong Produced by: Greater Chicago Newsmakers Team

#Illinois #Community

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Digital Mental Health Initiative

Digital Mental Health Initiative - 4:32

The UI Center on Depression and Resilience has launched a new innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and technology based treatment initiative, creating a digital based mental health safety net, to address Illinois' mental health crisis, and treat suicide risk factors. The UICDR has developed numerous digital tools, apps and inventions to reduce mental health disparities and offers these cutting-edge products to the public. This pioneering concept potentially can serve as a blueprint for the cost-effective integration of AI and technology to give greater access to mental health resources to poverty stricken areas and combat the growing national mental health crisis. This initiative is the “Digital Mental Health Initiative” (DMHI). The DMHI is a collaborative, transdisciplinary group of scientist, researchers, engineers and physicians working across 19 labs in at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Psychiatry Department to improve equitable access to mental health treatment with innovative smart, connected technology. The DMHI employs cutting-edge research to develop evidence-based digital tools and other technology based mental health treatments, which have already effectively treated thousands of patients. 1.5 million people in Illinois live with serious mental illness. According to the most recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide in Illinois has risen 23 percent, and is now ranked as the 11th leading cause of death in the state. The prevalence of depression in Illinois has increased, as it has globally, catapulting depression to the number one cause of disability worldwide.

This crisis has come at a staggering cost; estimates place the economic cost of untreated depression/behavioral health in the state to be more than 1.4 billion dollars a year.

Lack of access to treatment, and inefficient models of care, lie at the heart of this crisis. These numbers are a sobering reminder that we as a society have not adequately addressed the core reasons nor put forth the proper solutions to confront this health crisis, and necessitated the creation of UI Center on Depression and Resilience “Digital Mental Health Initiative” (DMHI).

Mental Health Equity

Mental Health Equity - 4:33

UICDR is a multidisciplinary science/medical collaborative for advancing mental health research of depression, bipolar and other mood disorders. UICDR is devoted to destigmatizing depression and bringing it into the mainstream of medical research, healthcare, education, and public policy. Through its innovative team science approach, UICDR advances the treatment and understanding of depression that affects an estimated 17 million adults in the U.S. For the past five years UICDR has provided comprehensive and compassionate care for children, adolescents and adults; transforming more than 49,000 patients’ lives annually, through innovations in prevention and treatment for depression and bipolar disorders, and reducing suicide risk. As a national leader in defining and advancing high-quality depression care and suicide prevention, the UICDR is positioned to address the mental health crisis the state of Illinois currently faces. 1.5 million people in Illinois live with serious mental illness. According to the most recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide in Illinois has risen 23 percent, and is now ranked as the 11th leading cause of death in the state. The prevalence of depression in Illinois has increased, as it has globally, catapulting depression to the number one cause of disability worldwide. This crisis has come at a staggering cost; estimates place the economic cost of untreated depression/behavioral health in the state to be more than 1.4 billion dollars a year. By combing scientific research, clinical care, inventions and public awareness UICDR will create a model of suicide prevention and education that is poised to take a major role in the future of how we should approach the causes and treatment of depression. UICDR’s pioneering science accelerates research by decades potentially saving many lives, improving countless others, and reducing the overall cost of health care in the process.

Healing with Music

Healing with Music - 4:45

Harmony, Hope & Healing creates a safe environment where vulnerable individuals and families heal and rebuild their lives through the restorative power of music. The organization serves adults, children and families who have been affected by traumas such as homelessness, incarceration, addiction and isolation. Their programs have helped more than 10,000 individuals since our founding in 2003. Harmony, Hope and Healing provides music classes at 14 sites, including shelters, residential programs, community outreach centers and Cook County Jail. These music classes teach participants appropriate and healthy ways to relieve stress, express emotions and develop positive relationships. They aid individuals whom have been through traumas such as homelessness, incarceration, addiction and isolation. They achieve this through activities such as mindful breathing and humming exercises, discussions about songs and readings, as well as singing, dancing and drumming.

Footprints to Recovery

Footprints to Recovery - 4:35

Melissa Rocchi is the Chief Operations Officer for Footprints to Recovery, a collection of regional drug and alcohol treatment centers with locations throughout the US. They provide customized treatment planning, individual and group therapy, diagnosis care and group therapy as well as supplementary and alternative services such as pet and equine therapy, writing workshops and yoga. They are a rising leader in the addiction in the addiction recovery world. Their message? ‘There are better days ahead.’ Melissa and her team of female clinicians and executives are leading the charge against the opioid epidemic. They most recently opened a state-of-the-art treatment center in Elgin, a center unlike any in the Chicago and Milwaukee area. As the United States faces the continued challenges of a growing opioid epidemic, the women clinicians, executives and executive directors of Footprints to Recovery refuse to back down. With over 80 years of combined experience spanning substance abuse, eating disorders and mental health, these women are paving the way when it comes to modernizing and adapting the approach to drug and alcohol treatment. Through their unique approach to substance abuse treatment and backed by $12 million in program scholarships to-date, the clinicians, executives and executive directors of Footprints to Recovery are making effective treatment accessible to all.

Beating the Odds

Beating the Odds - 4:39

Meagan Cheve` Sims
Child Welfare Supervisor and Doctoral Student Meagan Sims is a dedicated professional in the non-profit sector. As a proud veteran of the United States Army, Meagan has selflessly served her country and in her community with vigor and passion. Meagan is an alumnus of Englewood High School in Chicago and holds a Masters in Non-Profit Management from Spertus College. She is actively pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership at Governors State University. Meagan’s goal is to develop holistic supportive programming to assist youth in foster care in their pursuit of higher education. She is also a certified and registered adult and children’s yoga instructor. Meagan currently works as the Manager of the Adolescent Girls Unit of Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness’ Interim Care Center. This professional endeavor is also a personal one for Meagan as Aunt Martha's was her foster care agency when she was a child until she was adopted by her great-grandmother at the age of 11. Through her life’s work, Meagan aspires to empower individuals to overcome life’s trials and travail toward greatness despite their circumstances. Her life's mantra is "Success does not come to you, you must go to it."

Positive on the Westside

Positive on the Westside - 4:31

Westside Cultural Foundation brings cultural events to the community. Their free festivals of local talent also include free giveaways of backpacks and school supplies.

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