PALATINE, IL —May 28, 2025 — In an effort to meet the growing mental health needs of students and families in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Shelter Youth & Family Services is proud to partner with the Palatine School District 15 to offer free, on-site counseling to youth in district schools. This initiative is funded by the “Stronger Together” grant from the Office of Behavioral Health at Cook County Health.
“As waitlists for mental health services grow and costs continue to rise, many families face significant barriers to accessing the support they need,” says Shelter’s Clinical Director, Sarah Galla, MSW, LCSW. “Through this unique partnership, our clinical team is able to provide free support services to students directly at their school, which helps to eliminate these barriers and ensure timely access to care.”
As part of the collaboration, clinical staff from Shelter are providing trauma-informed therapy, crisis support, and mental health education directly to students during the school day. The partnership is designed to complement existing school resources while providing specialized care for youth experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Shelter Youth & Family Services brings five decades of clinical expertise, currently providing mental health therapy to youth in their emergency shelters, foster care, transitional living, and child abuse prevention programs. The addition of school-based services allows Shelter to expand its impact and reach underserved communities throughout suburban Cook County.
The Stronger Together Initiative aims to address behavioral health inequities across the region’s system of care through increased systems alignment, enhanced system quality, and the expansion of access to early intervention and prevention, treatment, support, recovery, and crisis assessment and care.
According to Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle, “This initiative highlights how government and other sectors of our community can work together to benefit the greater good.”
To learn more about Shelter Youth & Family Services and clinical support for children, teens, and families, contact Sarah Galla, Clinical Director, at sgalla@shelter-inc.org.
About Shelter Youth & Family Services
Shelter, founded in 1975, is a leader in Chicagoland for providing emotional and physical care, programs, and services that children need to build safer, healthier, and brighter futures. Shelter, Inc. is the only agency in Illinois to provide comprehensive and community-based services for children and families at risk and in need. Programs include emergency housing, transitional living, foster care, home visiting, and clinical support services. www.shelter-inc.org.
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