Arrowleaf of Johnson County to receive $249K to boost youth mental health services

VIENNA, Ill. (KBSI) – The state of Illinois was awarded millions of dollars to put towards mental health services for children.

Governor JB Pritzker along with the Illinois Department of Public Health says Illinois was awarded $9.5 million in funding to put into 40 different programs across the state.

Arrowleaf of Johnson County was awarded $249,000.

The funds will go the Johnson County school-based recovery program. 

Arrowleaf is a non for-profit organization that assists in the wellbeing and mental health of the community. They received $249, 000 dollars and according to Sherrie Crabb, the Chief Executive Officer for Arrowleaf, the funds will be dispersed between 5 schools in Johnson County and will be used to hire more staff so they can provide more social emotional support in the classroom.

The money will also go towards resources that assist in children’s mental health, and an afterschool program.

 “To participate in a local afterschool program at camp Ondessonk and so at camp Ondessonk were being able to support 220 students and their going to be doing a 10 day camp coming up in the spring, “says Crabb.

 Camp Ondessonk is a catholic based residential youth camp and recreation destination that’s been in Ozark Illinois since 1959. Nolan hurst is the camping services director at Camp Ondessonk.  

“We provide the opportunity for youth and students to get outside and experience the mental health well being and rejuvenation in being immersed in the outdoors and work on those social emotional learning in a new environment,” Says Hurst. 

Crabb says that based off studies they’ve done the rise in students struggling with mental health stems from the major change in the school systems during covid. 

“We do have data to show that when students came back to school after being isolated at home and receiving a different type of instruction, we do have a lot of students that are behind, not just in their academic learning but also show deficits in their social interactions and engagement skills.” 

Corona virus forced a near total shut down of school buildings in spring of 2020, many students had to wear masks, social distance, and experience isolation leaving aftereffects on their mental health.

All of the grant funds have to be used by June 30th.