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Trilogy Hosts Our First Williams Fair
Greetings!
 Trilogy's Williams Team planned an outstanding event for Class Members of the Williams Consent Decree. Thanks to the efforts of Team Trilogy--including employees, consumers, board members, and associate board members, who all graciously volunteered their Saturday afternoon, and to the Division of Mental Health (DMH) for their financial support--this event was an exciting way for Williams Class Members still residing in IMDs to learn about the services Trilogy offers from their peers and the professionals who will be helping them transition into community living.
According to Teresa Glaze, a DMH representative who attended the Williams Fair, "The event--which included a fun outdoor environment, an art class, bingo, informational tables, and free haircuts--was very successful." I couldn't agree more.
The day kicked off with a panel of peers consisting of six individuals who shared their stories and personal challenges and triumphs to a packed room. I was impressed by the openness with which they spoke about the fears and hopes they have experienced while learning to live independently. While I was busy manning the grill for the more than 125 people in attendance, I was also struck by the conversations related to what it means to live on your own that continued over our lunch of hamburgers, two kinds of veggie burgers, and hot dogs.
One of the most important things we do at Trilogy is to engage people in a discussion about recovery from serious mental illness. The William's Fair provided us with another opportunity for engaging people in discussions about their individual roads to recovery.
Sincerely,
John Mayes
President and CEO
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The Affordable Care Act Implemented in Illinois
 | | Gov. Quinn with a mental health advocate from Trilogy. |
On July 22, 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 26 into law as Public Act 98-0104. This law enhances the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Illinois by expanding Medicaid to individuals whose income is at or below 138% of the Federal poverty level.
The enactment of the ACA in Illinois will close a historic eligibility gap in Medicaid and provide healthcare to more than 300,000 Illinoisans who are currently uninsured. According to SAMHSA, of the newly eligible Medicaid recipients in Illinois 4.9% are living with serious mental illness, 12.1% experience serious psychological distress, and 14.9% have substance abuse disorders. The State of Illinois has an inordinately high inpatient hospitalization rate for behavioral health services. By expanding Medicaid coverage to more individuals with low income, and by default more people with serious mental illness, the State is helping to reduce the number of hospitalizations by allowing these individuals to access preventative care.
For more information on how the ACA will affect Trilogy clients and all people living with serious and persistent mental illness in the State of Illinois, visit the Trilogy blog.
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| Trilogy Hosts A Community Forum
As an organization located within the Chicago neighborhood of Rogers Park, we welcome input from our neighbors and create opportunities for community outreach. In July, we hosted a Community Forum at our 1400 W. Greenleaf location and invited community residents for a tour of our building and a presentation about our mission and the behavioral health and primary care services we offer.
After a screening of Trilogy's video featuring client testimonials of recovery, attendees were given the opportunity to speak with Trilogy's President and CEO, John Mayes, and other members of Trilogy's executive team. During the open floor discussion, our neighbors learned more about our organization and shared their thoughts on the one year anniversary of our Smoke-Free Campus. We also encouraged our neighbors to sign up for an upcoming Mental Health First Aid course and to keep the communication lines open.
The willingness of our neighbors to educate themselves about serious mental illness and to help us be better community partners is just one of many reasons we have always been proud to be a part of the vibrant Rogers Park community.
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