Families with at least one child (ages 0-19 are eligible for outpatient treatment services.  Masters level family therapists assist families to find solutions to difficulties identified in an individual family member or the family as a whole.  Examples include feelings of being overwhelmed in parents; fearful or aggressive behavior in a young child; delinquency or acting-out in children and teens; marital conflict and stress in parents; and hopelessness or a grief reaction in the family.  A free screening appointment may be scheduled by a family member.  The fee for treatment sessions is charged on a sliding scale basis.  No one is refused service for inability to pay.  Length of treatment is determined by the family's goals, which are evaluated in an ongoing, collaborative way by the family and therapist.  A universal goal is to empower the family to make positive changes in the best interests of its children.

Students in grades 2-12 who reside in the Township are eligible for affordable tutoring on a weekly, one hour basis during the school year.  Certified teachers provide small group tutoring assistance based on the written needs of the student's referring teacher.  Weekly communication with the parent/guardian and a progress report from the referring teacher provide a comprehensive approach to helping students improve their academic skills.  Students, who attend regularly and bring their school materials/assignments to session, improve in academic performance and self-confident.  Tutors, staff and Township officials host a celebration party for students and families at the end of each semester.  For Tutoring application, please click here. (Aplicacion en español)

Open Gym is offered weekly during the school year and during the summer, spring and winter breaks.  Open Gym provides positive activities in an atmosphere which promotes respectful behavior and ownership by the youth who participate.  Special events add to the fun.  Family Week, police-youth games, fire department demonstrations, live entertainment, and visits from Santa are examples.  This program is a collaborative effort by Hanover Township, School District U-46, the Villages, Police Departments and Park Districts of Bartlett, Hanover Park, Streamwood and the City of Elgin, the Fire Departments and Districts, and local agencies.

Open Gym Schedule:  Flyer 

Department staff offers educational workshops on topics of interest to families and teens through Teen University and Parent University. The goal is to inform and encourage conversations within families and  promote healthy teen development. In partnership with Streamwood High School and Elgin High School, Parent University and Teen University offers a variety of workshops which cover topics such as teenage development, teen dating and relationships, parent and teen communication, and helping teens cope with stress. Teen university also is dedicated to providing support and education for teens who are interested in employment; workshops offered include soft-skill job training and improving job interviewing skills.

Workshop Resources                                 Workshop Resources (Spanish)

The purpose of the Hanover Township Committee on Youth is to advise the Township Board on the provision of programs and services to combat and prevent juvenile delinquency and provide for the well being of youth and their families who reside in Hanover Township.

COY Members
Dawna Watson, Kinjal Dave, Tom Alagna
Nicole DeFalco, Matt Karinski, Robert Wojtowicz

"How to be your own boss...entrepreseurship
night" at Streamwood High School

Sometimes in the course of outpatient treatment there arises a need for psychiatric evaluation for a family member.  Through a linkage agreement with Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Outpatient Group Practice, the therapist can refer a child, adolescent, or parent for psychiatric evaluation.  The cost of the visit and any follow-up visits not covered by the client's insurance can be subsidized by the Township.  This valuable service is possible through funding from the Hanover Township Mental Health Board.

Staff develop informative and support groups for children, adolescents, parents, and families.  Common goals are to provide small, safe environments for participants to get information and discuss issues relevant to the group members.  Specific goals are designed to meet the needs of specific groups.  These groups are usually time-limited, and are offered either in school-based or community-based sites.

Bilingual, English/Spanish speaking family therapists are available to speak with Spanish - speaking callers, provide family therapy, outreach services, and participate in community programs.
 

Department staff have collaborative relationships with township schools, police departments, villages, juvenile probation, park districts, social service providers, and Universities to provide comprehensive services in many settings.  We welcome a partnership with township providers who have an interests in serving youth and families within the Township.  If you are interested in a possible collaboration in programming or services, please contact John Parquette, LCSW.
 

Each year about 30 Streamwood High School seniors spend the day shadowing our elected officials, department heads, and staff to learn first-hand about local government.  This is a fun, informative project with School District U-46, the Village of Streamwood, and Streamwood Park District.

Youth and Family Services is a fieldwork placement site for internships.  These internship opportunities are provided for graduate school internships for family therapy and clinical practice, and undergraduate internships for youth outreach and prevention.  A stipend may be awarded for the duration of the internship.  If you are interested in applying for an internship with Youth and Family Services, please contact Susan Alborell, LCSW, Fieldwork Coordinator.

Requirements
Volunteers must be at least 16 and must pass a background check.  If you are intereseted in becomming a volunteer, please contact Amanda Teachout, Prevention & Volunteer Coordinator at (630) 483-5799.  Click here for Volunteer Application.

Would you like to volunteer? Click the button below to apply!