Family First Center of Lake County licensed as behavioral clinic; ‘We … address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally'

Chicago Tribune

12-05-2025

The Family First Center of Lake County is taking a significant step in its mission of empowering families by becoming licensed as an Illinois Certified Behavioral Clinic after nearly 25 years of helping people with mental and emotional needs.
Rachael Chenier, Family First's executive director, said the new designation enables the organization to bill Medicaid and private insurance companies for what it provides to community members for services like counseling, wellness, substance abuse, holistic help and more.
'We take a holistic approach to enable people to be mentally and emotionally stable,' Chenier said. 'We take a thorough approach and address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally.'
The Family First Center in Waukegan officially became a Certified Behavioral Clinic on May 1 in its effort to help community members and their families put their lives on a firm footing after experiencing setbacks.
Among the services available through Family First are counseling, group counseling and case management, as well as holistic health services like yoga, meditation and participation in a wellness circle.
With an ultimate goal of a strong family, Family First strives, 'to nurture, educate and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system,' according to its mission statement.
Many Hernandez, Family First's director of operations, said the services are multidimensional, helping people care for their body, spirit and emotions. When more is necessary, it is added to the mix offered.
'We address all their needs,' Hernandez said. 'This is the holistic approach — to be mentally, emotionally and financially stable so the whole family is intact.'
In the past, Chenier said Family First financed its operations with grants, donations and events. None of those activities will stop, but the addition of funding from Medicaid and private insurance companies will go a long way toward helping more people.
Becoming a certified behavioral clinic is important for many of the people who live in Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion and other parts of northeast Lake County. Too often, people wait until the situation becomes too acute.
'The African American and Latino population in this area uses the emergency room at the hospital as their primary care location,' Chenier said. 'All of our services are bilingual. We want to increase the awareness of our services so people know to come to us.'
Should a community member need individual counseling, Family First Center founder Evelyn Chenier, Rachel's mother and the director of mental health services, gets involved. Evelyn Chenier is a PhD psychologist and licensed counselor.
Should an individual need medication to treat a mental health condition, Everly Chenier said the person is referred to Lake Behavioral Hospital or the Lake County Health Department. She also does play therapy with children.
'It helps with defining issues,' Evelyn Chenier said. 'When you see them play, it can help (to understand) anxiety or anger issues.'
Taking a holistic approach, Rachael Chenier said there are times people need help where part of the remedy is available elsewhere. A township — Waukegan, Zion, Benton, Avon or Warren — can help with emergency financial situations like rent or utilities. PADS Lake County helps with homelessness.
Unlike many behavioral clinics, Family First officials do not just wait for people to come to them. Hernandez said Family First goes into the community to let people know about what is available and how the organization can help.
'We meet people where they are,' Hernandez said. 'We go all around the county. We let people know all our services are in one location. We take our services out into the community. We call it unity in the community.'