Mission Statement

To prevent juvenile delinquency and to promote positive development in young people by

• Strengthening families
• Providing outreach to children and teens at risk of school failure and delinquency
• Contributing to the building up of a healthier community for all Hanover Township youth
  

Core Values

Integrity
We uphold our mission and are accountable by doing our best and by doing what is right.

Trust
We provide services in a safe, ethical, and legal manner, which honors all of our relationships.

Honesty
We are open, direct, and inclusive in our planning, decision-making, and services.

Respect
We relate to one another and the community with dignity, fairness, and sensitivity.

Outpatient Family Treatment

Families with at least one child (ages 0-19) are eligible for outpatient treatment services. Experienced family therapists assist families to find solutions to difficulties identified in an individual family member or the family as a whole. Examples include feelings of being overwhelmed in parents; fearful or aggressive behavior in a young child; delinquency or acting-out in children and teens; marital conflict and stress in parents; and hopelessness or a grief reaction in the family. A free screening appointment may be scheduled by a family member. The fee for treatment sessions is charged on a sliding scale basis. No one is refused service for inability to pay. Length of treatment is determined by the family's goals, which are evaluated in an ongoing, collaborative way by the family and therapist. A universal goal is to empower the family to make positive changes in the best interests of its children.

Spanish- Speaking Services

Bilingual, Spanish-English speaking family therapists are available to speak with Spanish-speaking callers, provide family therapy, and participate in community programs.

Linkage to Psychiatric Evaluation/Follow-up

Sometimes in the course of outpatient treatment there arises a need for psychiatric evaluation for a family member. Through a linkage agreement with a psychiatrist, the therapist can refer a child, adolescent, or parent for psychiatric evaluation. The cost of the visit and any follow-up visits not covered by the client's insurance can be subsidized by the Township. This valuable service is possible through funding from the Hanover Township Mental Health Board.

Youth Outreach

Outreach staff provide services and activities designed to increase positive alternatives for youth, especially those at risk of school failure and delinquency. Working in tandem with the schools, police, park districts, and volunteers, outreach services can include mentoring, homework help, youth leadership training, social-recreation, information on topics relevant to youth, and linkage to other needed programs. The goal of youth outreach is to meet the youth where they gather, and to develop positive relationships and opportunities.

Open Gym and Fun Program

Youth ages 5-18 can take advantage of this free program which offers opportunities for play, sports, and hanging out. The "drop-in" setting is offered in safe, supervised school/and community gyms. Under the coordination of the outreach staff the program brings together Township staff, police officers, and many teen and adult volunteers to interact positively with youth on the gym floor, at the games and craft table, and in quiet conversation.

Provided during the summer, spring and winter breaks, Open Gym provides positive activities in an atmosphere which promotes respectful behavior. Special events add to the fun. Family Week, police-youth games, fire department demonstrations, live entertainment, and visits from Santa are examples. This program is a collaborative effort by Hanover Township, School District U-46, the Villages, Police Departments and Park Districts of Bartlett, Hanover Park, Streamwood and the City of Elgin, the Fire Departments and Districts, and local agencies.

Tutoring Services

Students in grades 2-9 who reside in the Township are eligible for affordable tutoring on a weekly, one hour basis during the school year. Certified teachers provide small group tutoring assistance based on the written needs of the student's referring teacher. Weekly communication with the parent/guardian and a progress report from the referring teacher provide a comprehensive approach to helping students improve their academic skills. Students, who attend regularly and who faithfully bring their school materials/assignments to session, improve in academic performance and self-confidence. Tutors, staff, and Township officials host a celebration party for students and families at the end of each semester.

Groups   

Staff develop psychoeducational and support groups for children, adolescents, parents, and families. Common goals are to provide small, safe environments for participants to get information and discuss issues relevant to the group members. Specific goals are designed to meet the needs of specific groups. These groups are usually time-limited, and are offered either in school-based or community-based (Youth and Family Services offices and Astor Avenue Community Center) sites.

Astor Avenue Community Center

Located at 7431 Astor Avenue in Hanover Park, and overseen by the Youth and Family Services department, the new Community Center opened in fall 2006. Residents of all ages are offered a host of services designed to empower people to acquire knowledge and skills to improve their lives. Staff work closely with the community and an advisory committee to design services which include after school programs, job search help for teens and adults, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, computer classes, community education forums, neighborhood events, and other Township departments' services. An emphasis is placed on continually seeking the input and participation of the community in the life of the Astor Avenue Community Center. Call (630) 540-9085.

Speak Out! For Families

Staff designed a series of community education presentations on topics relevant to families.  This program was developed at the request of parents who are too busy to attend long-running classes, but need information and resources for help in raising their families.  Presentations are held on an every other month basis in locations convenient for residents. Time is allowed for questions and discussion.  Poplar Creek Library was the first community partner to volunteer its site.  Topics include Single Parenting, Steering Children Away From Gangs, Parents and Teenagers, Bullying, and Teen Relationships and Sexuality.  Speak Out! For Families will add topics according to feedback and needs of residents.  Children and adolescents are invited to attend when appropriate.  The program aims to help strengthen families in a supportive, educational way.

Liaison and Consultation

Department staff work closely with other service providers for the betterment of the township community.  Full-time therapists provide consultation/liaison on a regular basis to the schools and police/probation departments.   The outreach staff collaborates in an ongoing way with school personnel and others to plan and evaluate joint, prevention programs.  The director serves on local boards and networks that serve youth and families.
  

Student Government Day

Each year about 30 Streamwood High School seniors spend the day shadowing our elected officials, department heads, and staff to learn first-hand about local government. This is a fun, informative project with School District U-46, the Village of Streamwood, and Streamwood Park District.

Hanover Township Committee on Youth

The Township Board of Trustees appoints members to its Committee on Youth, a volunteer board which serves in an advisory capacity to the Town Board on the needs of youth. Residents of Hanover Township interested in the welfare of youth and families are invited to join the Committee on Youth. Three members are youth ages 15-18. The Committee meets monthly at 7pm on the 4th Monday with the Trustee Liaison and director of Youth and Family Services to discuss and give recommendations about current services and potential responses to the needs of Township youth and their families.

Committee on Youth Members



Judy Walsh - Chairperson

William H. Peterson - Secretary

Greg Herbert - Treasurer

Micaela Ten Hoven

Ashley Tyszkiewicz

Robert Wojtowicz

Christina Zima

Internships

Youth and Family Services is a fieldwork placement site for internships. Opportunities provided are graduate school internships for family therapy, and undergraduate internships for youth outreach and prevention.