CHHS Community Care and Education Center

The Community Care and Education Center (CCEC) is a transformative initiative aimed at centralizing behavioral health services in Southern Illinois, addressing critical workforce development needs, and fostering interdisciplinary research. Located in University Hall, the CCEC will offer residential and outpatient services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, and severe mental illness. It will also serve as a hub for faculty-led research and graduate student training, ensuring a pipeline of skilled professionals dedicated to serving underserved populations.

The CCEC will integrate four existing programs while creating space for new initiatives:

• The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD), which provides high-quality services and leadership for individuals with autism and their families.

• The Clinical Center, which delivers psychological and speech-language services to the community while training future professionals.

• The Evaluation and Developmental Center (EDC), which offers vocational, psychological, and transitional services in partnership with the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services.

• Project 12-Ways, which supports family preservation through direct skill-building interventions.