New Phase of Three-Year Transformation Initiative Will Increase Mental Health Beds

For immediate release

Monday, October 28, 2024

Contact: DHS.Press@illinois.gov

SPRINGFIELD—Today, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced the expansion of beds for mental health services in the civil units at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, in Anna, Illinois. IDHS plans to launch the expansion at Choate on November 1, 2024. There are currently beds for 50 patients at the State-Operated Psychiatric Hospital on the Choate campus, up to 25 additional beds will be added over the course of the next several months.

This is a critical next step for the three-year transformation initiative, announced by Governor Pritzker and IDHS in March 2023, which aims to repurpose portions of the Choate campus and to reshape the way the State approaches care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

“As the state continues to support the needs of residents at Choate Mental Health and Development Center, we are placing safety, respect, and community at the forefront,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This new expansion, part of our ongoing transformation plan, ensures individualized care options for patients with serious mental health needs. I want to thank IDHS for their commitment and leadership as we focus on improving services for Illinoisans.”

The decision to expand beds for mental health services is informed by recommendations from Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine and was made in close collaboration with IDHS’s Division of Mental Health and Division of Developmental Disabilities.

The 229-acre Choate campus currently includes a State-Operated Developmental Center, a State-Operated Psychiatric Hospital, an IDHS local public benefits office, and two case processing centers. During the three-year timeframe, portions of the Choate campus will be repurposed to meet patient capacity and other State needs.

This much needed additional civil capacity expansion will benefit the entire state as it will accept former forensic patients who are ready to move to a less restrictive environment as they work towards their goal of returning to the community.

The shift in expanding capacity for step-down and other civil patients will increase the capacity to provide forensic placements and in-patient restoration services more quickly.

Additionally, in coordination with their families and guardians, and with support from the SIU School of Medicine, current residents with I/DD at Choate Developmental Center continue to have the opportunity to transition into community-based settings, private Intermediate Care Facilities, or other State centers where they will receive comprehensive, personalized care.

“I want to thank Governor Pritzker for his focus on serving our patients in a community setting when possible, and ensuring we stay focused on supporting Choate residents, past and present,” said IDHS Secretary Designate Dulce M. Quintero.

Safe, gradual, carefully planned resident transitions take place in close coordination with individuals themselves, and their families and/or guardians. The well-being and dignity of individuals guides each step of the process. To date, 56 individuals have transferred to other living arrangements of their choice.

One of IDHS’s highest priorities is ensuring that sufficient staff is available to meet the needs of residents at its State-operated facilities. IDHS has devoted significant resources to ensure residents and patients at Choate are well served. ​

Staffing ratios have improved over the past year, as the number of staff at Choate has remained consistent even as the number of residents in the developmental center has decreased as they transition to the community and living arrangements of their and their guardians’ choice.

Ongoing State Support for Three-Year Transformation Initiative

In March 2023, Governor Pritzker and IDHS announced a transformation initiative to reshape the way the State approaches care for individuals with I/DD. The comprehensive plan included:

The transformation at Choate is designed to continue to adopt nationwide, research-informed best practices, and advance the State’s commitment to equity and the civil rights of people with disabilities. It also reflects the State’s duty to ensure residents with disabilities have a full opportunity to live in the least restrictive environment.

This transformation is anchored by a partnership with Southern Illinois University. Led by Dr. Kari M. Wolf, CEO of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center, partners from SIU School of Medicine continue to help shape the transformation, leading crucial operational components. This includes recommendations to repurpose the Choate campus for other service delivery, supporting initiatives that focus on staff training, and objectively assessing the safety, patient care, and workforce needs of Choate.

Leaders from SIU Carbondale and the Springfield-based School of Medicine provide ongoing expertise on the broader transformation.

The IDHS Division of Developmental Disabilities operates seven State-operated developmental centers across Illinois. These centers provide residential support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a variety of treatment programs/services, including educational, vocational, recreational, physical, and behavioral healthcare needs.

The Division operates three Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers serving over 24,000 individuals via adult community integrated living arrangements, child group homes, and child and adult home-based programs in addition to day programming and other ancillary services.

The IDHS Division of Mental Health operates seven State-run psychiatric hospital facilities across Illinois, including a smaller facility on the campus of Choate. These hospitals provide civil and forensic psychiatric hospitalization for individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

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