FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LIFELONG ACCESS AWARDED $21.7 MILLION GRANT GRANT TO FUND NOT-FOR-PROFIT COLLABORATION AS PART OF ROBUST DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Normal, Ill. – Lifelong Access was awarded a $21.7 million Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). The funding will support a collaboration between Lifelong Access, Chestnut Health Systems™, the Regional Office of Education, and other local not-for-profit organizations to provide a one-stop support services hub primarily focused on youth. The location will be located at 301 West Washington Street in Downtown Bloomington, the former Pantagraph building.
“We are extremely grateful to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for recognizing the importance of this project,” Lifelong Access Interim CEO Rebecca Brennan said. “Lifelong Access is proud to lead this initiative and collaborate with trusted partners Chestnut Health Systems™ and the Regional Office of Education to make this vision a reality. Together, we can create a community that meets the needs of people of all abilities.”
Health challenges are especially evident among children and youth ages 6-17 in McLean County. Last year, 3,200 in that group lived at or below the poverty level, 3,300 faced a behavioral health crisis, 1,500 reported a substance use disorder, 5,500 were chronically absent from school, 1,400 experienced sexual violence, 13,400 lived with one or more adverse childhood experiences, 1,500 lived with a disability, 1,800 made suicide plans, and there were 900 suicide attempts.
Services offered in the new space will include outpatient adolescent mental health and substance use treatment, alternative youth education, applied behavior analysis therapy for children on the autism spectrum, behavioral health and psychiatric services, community day services, pediatric health and dental care, food security programs, and more.
"This partnership will allow us to meet a growing demand for our alternative programming in McLean County and provide greater access to medical and counseling services for the students we serve and their families," said Mark Jontry, Regional Office of Education Regional Superintendent.
“We are thrilled to be part of this collaborative and forward-thinking project that will bring essential interventions, with a primary focus on youth,” said Puneet Leekha, COO and incoming CEO of Chestnut Health Systems. “This initiative not only supports the health and wellness of some of our community’s most vulnerable and underserved families but also contributes to the revitalization of downtown Bloomington through the renovation of this iconic building.”
“This project is a significant step in revitalizing downtown Bloomington,” said Jeff Jurgens, City Manager for Bloomington. “The proposed redevelopment supports critical community goals while fostering growth and vibrancy in our downtown.”
We anticipate the renovation and revitalization of the former Pantagraph building to be completed within 24 months.
A press conference will be scheduled in early 2025 and updates will be shared as the project progresses.
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About Lifelong Access.
For 69 years, Lifelong Access has removed barriers for kids, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health concerns in our community. Lifelong Access provides Behavioral Health services for all ages; Pediatric Therapies including developmental, occupational, speech, and applied behavior analysis; High School Transition Programs and Adult Services including Supportive Living, Community Day Services, and Supported Employment. For more information visit www.lifelongaccess.org.
About Chestnut Health Systems.
Chestnut Health Systems is a not-for-profit organization that has cared since 1973 for the most vulnerable in our communities. Chestnut provides substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery; mental health treatment; primary care; dental care; and housing and supportive services. It is a leader in behavioral health-related research through its Lighthouse Institute. For more information visit www.chestnut.org.
About Regional Office of Education.
Regional Office of Education # 17 serves as a direct support and advocate for school districts in DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties in Central Illinois. For more information visit www.roe17.org.
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