A Call For Leadership

I think the announced closing of the Southeastern Illinois Counseling Centers is a huge loss for the region and specifically Fairfield. Of course, there’s the loss of 30 jobs regionally and four in our town. But more importantly, now people needing the services will have to go to Mt. Vernon or Carmi.

The Center was the place where the court sent you for counseling if you had a substance or alcohol problem for trained therapy. There were other services like prevention and trauma counseling. Southeastern used individual, group and family therapy to guide its clients to a sober, healthy life. The center was a very good fit for those looking for affordable, structured help in a supportive environment.

Why did it close. In a word….money. It likely didn’t help that the state is so miserable late in paying Mediaid and other grants. Fees were assessed based on income and family size on a sliding fee scale.

It is my fervent hope that the leaders in our community and county were in the loop and knew this was coming. I’m told Southeastern Illinois Counseling had been on the rocks for quite a while. If we knew this was coming, don’t you think we would be in contact with the adjoining agencies to see if they would be interested in coming to our city?

We are a county with many who can't afford the travel required to get their counseling in Carmi or Mt. Vernon...and simply many of us do not have the time. 

This is a tragedy. It's very significant and I am asking for our city and county leaders to come together to secure an office in Fairfield to continue to seve the people of Wayne County. This is one where a unified front is essential. 

Someone needs to go to Carmi and Mt. Vernon to talk to neighboring agencies to invite them here.