The crisis in youth behavioral health across Southern Illinois is no longer a developing story—it is an undeniable, urgent reality demanding systemic action.
Recent data paints a sobering picture: behavioral health and substance use disorders now account for nearly 50% of all hospitalizations among Illinois youth ages 3-171. This burden is particularly acute in our region, compounded by factors that extend far beyond clinical walls.
In counties like Marion and Jefferson, where the poverty rate is significantly higher than the state average, economic stress is not just a background issue—it's a primary driver of the crisis, directly linked to increased parental strain and worsening youth mental health symptoms. This creates a challenging paradox: high demand for care in a low-resource environment.
The Fragmentation Problem: A System Under Strain
The research confirms what local healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders already know: the existing ecosystem of support is fractured. Services are often geographically dispersed and disconnected. A family in crisis shouldn't have to navigate a complex, fragmented web of services on their own. They need a clear, coordinated path to help.
This is the critical void the St. Clare Foundation is uniquely positioned to fill. Our mission is not to add one more service provider, but to be the force that unites the entire network.
Our Role: The Funder and The Convener
The St. Clare Foundation is stepping forward as The Trusted Convener & Catalyst, bringing two essential solutions to the region:
1. The Funder: Fueling Systemic Transformation
Funding is the fuel for systemic transformation. We provide the essential financial resources—through Anchor Investments, Innovation Grants, and Mini-Grants—to empower our partners to scale proven models of care. We move beyond temporary relief to fund the long-term infrastructure required to build a resilient service ecosystem.
2. The Convener: Uniting the Critical Few to Transform the Crisis for the Many
We will host invitation-only Convener Roundtables and actively facilitate collaboration between medical professionals, school districts, and community-based organizations. Our goal is to forge a cohesive network that ensures:
- Early Identification: Equipping educators and community partners with the tools to spot emerging needs.
- Effective Intervention: Building the capacity of providers to offer timely, quality care.
- Seamless Integration: Ensuring youth and families move effortlessly between services without falling through the cracks.
The St. Clare Foundation believes that by uniting our resources and connecting our experts, we can translate our shared vision—A community with no unmet health and social needs—into a measurable, lasting impact for the youth of Southern Illinois.
The Call to Action: Our inaugural grant application window formally opens on January 2, 2026. We are ready to partner with those who are not afraid to lead the charge for systemic change. Visit our Grant & Partner Resource page to prepare your proposal and sign up for updates about future Convener’s Roundtable events.
