Iroquois mental health center says loss of first-responder grant is forcing program changes as client caseloads grow

The Iroquois County Health Committee heard May 6 from Amy Fable of the Iroquois Mental Health Center that the center lost a first-responder suicide-prevention grant effective Jan. 26 and is looking for ways to continue services for first responders and their families.

Fable told the committee the loss coincides with a rapid increase in clients: "since March we have added 99 new clients," bringing the center to about 900 open clients across its mental health and substance-use-disorder programs. She said the center has expanded relationships with local police and fire agencies and is seeking alternate funding and partnerships to sustain services.

Why it matters: the center specifically serves first responders and their families through the grant-funded suicide-prevention work, and committee members were told that the funding gap could affect that targeted support. The committee heard Fable explain the center's immediate service needs and ongoing outreach efforts.

Committee members asked about outreach and materials; Fable offered brochures and said the center will continue attending committee meetings to share updates. Fable described the funding environment as uncertain: "we are riding some of the federal and state waves of funding uncertainty," and said staff are exploring options to maintain services after the grant ended on 01/26.

The presentation focused on service-need indicators and short-term responses: client-count growth, stronger ties to first-responder agencies, and staff efforts to identify alternate grants and partnerships. Committee members and health department staff expressed interest in maintaining communication as the center seeks new funding.

The committee did not take any formal action on funding at the May 6 meeting; Fable said she will continue to provide updates to the committee and to staff as options are pursued.