Kendall County Times

At its April 3 meeting, Joliet City Council discussed approving an additional $400,000 for its new mental health program.

In July 2022, Joliet partnered with Thrive Works, a local mental health clinic and therapy office, to assist its residents in need of services or financial support. 

The program provides the co-pay for insured residents, or helps fund the care of uninsured or low-income residents who wouldn’t be able to receive care otherwise.

Fire Chief Jeff Carey told council that in the past six months the program – available to all Joliet residents – has been successful and has saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Carey said instead of calling 911, residents who would have routinely called for ambulance services, are now relying on the program, and instead a social worker is dispatched, saving the city about $2,800 per call.

Carey said many residents are now able to access the care they need but aren’t able to afford. They can access these services either through the city website or by calling Thrive Works.

Carey said the program has enrolled over 500 residents, more than 150 of whom are children. He also said the program has also helped 24 people find housing and jobs, ultimately improving their community and helping them get back to being productive citizens.

“That’s kind of the whole goal, it’s been working out real well,” Carey told council. “And that money technically just goes into just an account that the city can pull back anytime if they want. It’s just there, as somebody uses it, we pay back the difference of what their insurance doesn’t cover. It’s been a tremendous success so far.”

The council uploaded a livestream of its public meeting to the city’s YouTube channel.

In other business, council discussed paying Ramiro Guzman Landscaping $113,054 for a landscape maintenance services contract.

The council will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the City Council Chambers at 150 West Jefferson St.