About Us
Our Mission
Every day, the staff, leadership and board of Human Support Services works to achieve our mission by addressing the health and welfare of each individual who comes through our doors.
All services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis with disregard for race, color, creed, sex, national origin or handicapping condition.
Services are provided on a sliding-fee scale to ensure that we are able to provide residents of Monroe County with effective, cost-efficient services aimed at helping individuals challenged by mental health concerns, developmental disabilities or substance abuse build satisfying lives despite the difficulties they face.
Read more about Human Support Services’ achievements and financial goals in our Annual Report.
Our Vision
We envision a community in which all abilities are embraced and everyone is encouraged to pursue their greatest potential.
While every client’s needs are different, the majority of our services can be classified under these programs:
Learn more about our programs
Leadership
We are proud of the work we do to improve the lives of those who need us, and we know we could not do it without a strong foundation of support.
As we continually strive to meet the changing needs of our community, we’re grateful for the leadership of our board of directors.
Board of Directors
President – Stan Darter
Vice President – Bob Polansky
Secretary – Margaret Ryan-DeBonis
Treasurer – Kevin Day
Executive Member At-Large – Bonnie Kuergeleis
Kathy Asselmeier
Christine L. Campo
Kathleen Collmeyer
Gary Crawford
Douglas Garmer
Rev. William Groennert
Ericha Johanning
Mallory Rodenberg
Michael Schneider
Read more about us on our blog.
Like every single person who walks through our doors, the individuals who helped build our agency followed a path of discovery and growth. Click through our timeline to see just a few of those faces, plus some of the important dates and places that make up the history of Human Support Services.
Human Support Services is Founded
Our private, nonprofit agency first opened its doors in 1973, with initial efforts to provide support to individuals facing mental health needs. We first opened in the “Old Milk Company Building”, with its Illinois Articles of Incorporation and a community counseling program staffed by a part-time medical director, one counselor and a secretary. The photo..Read More
HSS Names Our First Executive Director
James E. Poschel was named the first executive director of Human Support Services. This is the same year Human Support Services opens its doors at the “Old Milk Company Building” with the mission to provide support to individuals facing mental health needs.
Mental Health Board is Established
Monroe County passes the Community Mental Health Funding Act, establishing the Mental Health Board and providing a source of local tax support.
Sheltered Workshop Program Begins
The Sheltered Workshop Program began by merging with the county’s Developmental Disabilities Program.
Substance Use Services Added
Services for individuals with substance abuse issues is added to the HSS mission.
Human Support Services Foundation is created
The Mental Health Endowment Foundation is founded, it went on to be renamed the Human Support Services Foundation years later.
HSS Receives United Way Funding
HSS receives United Way funding as a member agency.
DUI Program Is Established
We launched our original program to offer treatment services to those charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Our substance use prevention and treatment services have evolved since that time to include more comprehensive programs.
Agency is Accredited by CARF
The agency was first accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Accreditation assists service providers to improve the quality of their services and meet internationally recognized standards.
Integrating Living Arrangements
Community Support Network (CSN) was started to add Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) for developmentally disabled adults.
HSS Gets A New Home
The agency moved into to our new center – and our current home – at 988 North Illinois Route 3 in Waterloo, Illinois. Our main headquarters is based in this building, but we provide a variety of services at other locations throughout Monroe County.
Supportive Employment Program
The Supportive Employment Program is established.
First Residential Apartment Building
The agency’s first residential apartment building, Building #1, is built.
Apartment Buildings Added
The agency’s next two apartment buildings, buildings #2 and #3, are added.
HSS Is Accredited by COA
The agency was first accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. Every four years, we go through the lengthy, multi-step process to maintain our COA status.
The First HSS Thanksgiving
For the first time, HSS staff hosted a Thanksgiving meal for clients and their families. Since that first holiday gathering, this has become a beloved tradition among our clients, families and staff.
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program
Apartment building #4 was added, as was the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program.
Sheltered Workshop Is Renovated
The agency builds a new Sheltered Workshop and renovated the Day Services space.
Residential Services Continue To Grow
Apartment buildings #5 and #6 are purchased as support for residential services grows.
Apartment Buildings Added
Apartment buildings #7, 8 and 9 were added in Columbia IL
New Billing And Clinical Documentation System
In July, the agency purchased a new billing and clinical documentation system.
Rental Subsidies
A secure source of rental subsidies was added for buildings #7, 8 and 9 in order to save local funding from this need.
Auxiliary Support Building
An auxiliary support building is built at 224 N Main St-Rear, Waterloo IL
Electronic Records
All clinical records become electronic.
Expanding Our Residential Services
HSS opens two four-bed group homes in Hecker. A three-bed group home was added in Waterloo three years later.
Gateway Foundation
HSS partnered with Gateway Foundation to provide substance abuse treatment services.
Columbia Office Opens
HSS hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with board members and members of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce at their new Columbia location at 960 Columbia Centre. The new office was funded by a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD), an independent state agency helping to lead change in Illinois so all people with..Read More
The SeeMore Inn Bed and Breakfast
The SeeMore Inn Bed and Breakfast opened in Waterloo. Owned and operated by Human Support Services, The SeeMore Inn is a groundbreaking experience in hospitality, a place where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn, work and thrive as our primary staff.
