Conroy: New Funds for Central Receiving Center a Pivotal Step in Mental Health and Substance Disorder Treatment Availability

VILLA PARK, Ill. – In an effort to provide more widely available treatment to individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders, state Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, and other DuPage area legislators secured funding for a new Central Receiving Center (CRC) in DuPage County.

“The unprecedented challenges we have encountered due to the coronavirus, coupled with recent civil unrest, has unsettled those vulnerable to mental health setbacks, including substance use disorders,” said Conroy, Chair of the House Mental Health Committee. “I am proud to announce that we have secured adequate funding for a new Central Receiving Center facility which will serve as an additional line of defense for individuals struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. This is a significant step forward for our community.”

In consultation with the DuPage County Behavioral Health Collaborative (BHC) and input from other local legislators – Reps. Costa-Howard, Mussman, Villa, and Willis – Rep. Conroy intervened to secure sufficient funding to launch a Central Receiving Center (CRC) facility in DuPage County. Recognizing the unique need for a facility in DuPage County, BHC investigated the effectiveness of other CRC’s around the country to evaluate whether a similar approach could be implemented for the DuPage County community.

“Now more than ever, we have to take swift action to protect those who the odds are stacked against and continue to make every possible effort to ensure adequate resources are available to help them during this critical time of need,” said Conroy. “The dollars we have secured to launch this facility will help countless Illinoisans through this increasingly challenging and uncertain time.”