Parenting in a Crisis: Resources in Champaign-Urbana
In early February, we received an email that was a cry for help. A single mom of three young kids reached out to us looking for affordable counseling resources in Champaign-Urbana so she could be a better parent for her children, and was afraid she had reached her tipping point. Our readers responded on Facebook with many great ideas where she could find help in Champaign-Urbana, especially for someone who was without insurance.
Hopefully this information will help her on a journey back from despair, and we thought it could help others as well. One of the clearest messages our readers delivered is encapsulated here:
“Be proud of yourself for the work you’ve done so far and for reaching out for help. Your kids have an amazing mom.”
So without further review, a listing of the resources available in Champaign-Urbana to help parents in need. (Note this is not complete, these were based on recommendations from readers. Please add recommendations in the comments, or email us.)
Crisis Nursery: “At Crisis Nursery we believe asking for help is a sign of strength. By reaching out, you’ve taken this important and sometimes very difficult first step. We’re here to help children and families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please call our crisis line anytime, 217-337-2730. In addition to a parenting break, we can provide additional ongoing support to your family and links to other available resources in our community. All our services are free of charge and available to anyone in Champaign County.”
Family Service of Champaign County offers counseling at a sliding scale fee based on income and family size for Champaign County residents; most health insurance plans are accepted.
Hopesprings Counseling is a service via Cunningham Children’s Home but is open to the public via a Champaign office. Serves a variety of needs, “individuals–mainly youth and families–in the community who are experiencing difficult life situations.”
“If you are an employee of the University of Illinois, in any capacity, or live in a household of someone who works for the University in any capacity you can go to the Faculty Staff Assistance Program, which is an employee benefit, and receive counseling for free (http://fsap.illinois.edu/).”
Family Advocacy of Champaign County: “It is our mission to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. We believe that through advocacy, mentoring, outreach and counseling, strengthening famillies can and will be the ultimate outcome for those families served.” Offers counseling and provides resources on parenting skills.
“Rosecrance on Fox Drive has counseling services available at an affordable price. I would call there for sure! Good luck, and remember that you ARE a good mom, and asking for help proves that.” 
❤
Catholic Charities of Champaign: Family Counseling, Family Aid Specialists Program, Unified Delinquency Intervention Service, Women’s Counseling and Support Services
“Apply for the Carle assistance program.”
“Elliott Counseling Group does a sliding scale.”
General recommendations:
“If you would like help with finding counseling without insurance you can call the Community Resource Center at Presence Hospital. They are amazing and will help you with ANYTHING!”
“My son (older now) has special needs and often it was a huge struggle. For me having someone to talk to help and find time for myself. The Stephens Family YMCA has child watch where you can take your kids and go workout which is a great stress reliever or just sit in the lobby and read. If you can’t afford a membership they have scholarship program you can apply for. There are groups in the community for single moms, fb groups, free depression support groups, and more that you can find support.”
Faith-based suggestions:
“Windsor Road Christian Church offers a ministry (large group) entitled GEMS: God Embracing Mothers who are Single. For more information go to www.windsorroad.org/GEMS/. There is childcare too. I pray this Mom looks at the wonderful suggestions people have made and finds the help her and the children need.”
“Healing rooms at the Vineyard Church Urbana. http://urbana.thevineyardchurch.us/…/healing-prayer-rooms/ I personally witnessed a woman being set free from anger issues through prayer. She reported weeks later that she was no longer yelling or getting angry like she used to. Highly recommended if you’re open to receiving prayer.”
“Reach out to Safe Families: “Safe Families is a volunteer movement that connects the children of parents in distress with host families who have been called to open their hearts, their arms and their homes to serve those in need. The Safe Families experience starts at church, where families are invited to not only change the lives of a fellow family for better, but to enrich their own with untold blessings by living out the gospel. By hosting these vulnerable children along with support from the church, this extended family environment helps keep children safe and reunite families all in the name of Christ.”