Human Support Services

 

About Us

Our Misson

Helping all people live their best lives.

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.

2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
2019 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:

  • Counseling and outpatient mental health services

  • Affordable housing for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities or mental health concerns

  • Job coaching, educational classes and training for individuals needing assistance in acquiring vocational, employment and independent living skills and experience

  • Recovery and prevention services for those struggling with substance use and addiction

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 - Bob Polansky
Vice President - Mallory Rodenberg
Secretary - Stan Darter
Treasurer - Kevin Day
Executive Member At-Large - Kathy Asselmeier

Directors:

Gary Crawford
Lisa Krenz
Lisa Maurer
Mary O’Leary
Jeff Prosise
Michael Schneider
Megan Selck

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.

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  • Old HSS Log in Blue

    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

  • James Poschel smiling to the camera.

    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.

  • 1981 - More updated logo

    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.

  • United Way logo

    HSS Receives United Way Funding

    HSS receives United Way funding as a member agency.

  • Man in dui program

    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.

  • CARF logo

    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.  

  • 1989 building

    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.  

  • Man helping pick up trash from the sidewalk

    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.

  • COA logo

    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.

  • Group in warehouse workshop sitting at table.

    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.

  • HSS Front of Building

    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.

  • HSS Housing

    Auxiliary Support Building

    An auxiliary support building is built at 224 N Main St-Rear, Waterloo IL

  • Electronic Records

    All clinical records become electronic.

  • Lady smiling and enjoying her home

    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.

  • Ribbon cutting at new Columbia office

    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

  • Beautiful view of the front corner of the SeeMore Inn bed and breakfast

    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.