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Local providers urge help for Clearbrook families and expand drug‑education, harm‑reduction work
Summary
At a McHenry County Mental Health Board meeting, a resident asked for emergency funding to keep a family member at Clearbrook; nonprofit representatives described countywide drug‑education reaching 3,185 students, urged naloxone access and warned of xylazine in the opioid supply.
A resident told the McHenry County Mental Health Board the family’s savings are being spent to keep a family member enrolled two days a week at Clearbrook and asked whether the board could provide emergency funding from its "warrant of need." The resident said unemployment benefits will end in June, the household income is about $55,000 and the Clearbrook placement costs roughly $140 per day.
The Chair asked the resident to leave contact information and said the board’s executive director, Bridgette, would follow up to explore assistance.
Tegan Friese, harm reduction educator with the nonprofit Live for Lolly, told the board the group has delivered comprehensive drug education to high school students across McHenry County in line with a public act cited during her remarks and said the organization reached more than 3,100 students this school year in both English and Spanish classes. Friese outlined youth‑led requests collected at a recent empowerment conference — a peer panel so young people can talk with peers about substance use, widely available QR codes linking teens to resources, more prevention education and broader naloxone access.
"So if you don't have some, please see me," Friese said, urging individuals and groups to carry naloxone.
Friese also said a recent sample tested positive for xylazine, an animal tranquilizer found in the opioid supply, and recommended broader access to drug‑checking information so community members know about dangerous additives.
Representatives from Options and Advocacy and affiliated programs described how neuroinclusive counseling and related community supports serve residents. A therapist with Options and Advocacy said the organization’s neuroinclusive counseling program helped clinicians better support neurodivergent clients. An MSW intern summarized research showing neuroaffirming, client‑centered approaches can reduce disparities in depression and anxiety measures when treatment is adapted for neurodivergent people.
Rob Buettnert, founder and executive director of WarpCore, announced a new street‑outreach home base in Woodstock at 722 East Calhoun St., Unit 1A, and invited board members and staff to visit. Buettnert also promoted a free, family‑friendly fundraiser, the Max Happy music festival, as an opportunity to see WarpCore’s programs in action.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the meaning of "neurodivergence" and insurance coverage for services. Speakers explained that the term commonly refers to conditions such as autism and ADHD, that the DSM does not list the term verbatim, and that the Neuroinclusion Counseling program accepts Medicaid and some commercial insurance though contracting with all managed care organizations is ongoing.
The board did not take formal action specific to the public comments beyond offering follow‑up; Bridgette and staff were asked to connect with individuals seeking assistance.
