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:
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Counseling and outpatient mental health services
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Affordable housing for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities or mental health concerns
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Job coaching, educational classes and training for individuals needing assistance in acquiring vocational, employment and independent living skills and experience
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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 - Kathy Asselmeier
Treasurer - Kevin Day
Executive Member At-Large - Mary O'Leary
Directors:
Lisa Krenz
Lisa Maurer
Jeff Prosise
Jessica Rucks
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.
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 you see here is our very first logo.
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.
The Mental Health Endowment Foundation is founded, it went on to be renamed the Human Support Services Foundation years later.
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.
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.
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.
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 agency builds a new Sheltered Workshop and renovated the Day Services space.
HSS opens two four-bed group homes in Hecker. A three-bed group home was added in Waterloo three years later.
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 developmental disabilities can exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom. The three-year ICDD grant, awarded late 2018, allowed HSS to create a program called Building Futures. Through Building Futures, HSS staff offers job coaching, educational classes, person-centered planning, customized employment and training to individuals…
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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.