About Us

Christian County Mental Health Association was incorporated in December of 1971, following weeks and months of meetings by various groups in the community. In January of 1972, a full-time Executive Director was hired signaling the beginning of mental health services in Christian County. In the spring of 1972, the clinic opened on South Washington Street in Taylorville.

Prior to the inception of Christian County Mental Health, a group of concerned citizens and parents of developmentally disabled children and adults operated a school and daily activities program known as the "School of Light." A special education initiative in the 1960's began programming for school age children, but did not address the needs of adults. Christian County Mental Health Association was approached by the members of the "School of Light" and adult programs were started in 1973. The "School of Light" was housed in what had been a grocery store located at 701 West Adams in Taylorville, and this became the first site of the Rehabilitation and Activities Center of Christian County. The first annual budget was in the amount of $45,000. In 1974, the clinic moved to the basement of the Janice Hopper Clinic and in October of 1974, the Work Activities Program was started at 220 West North Street in a leased house.

Gradually, the client population grew. By the spring of 1977, the press for space was so great, that in order to meet accessibility and safety requirements, the Association purchased a 10,000 square foot building and nearly two acres of land on North Route 48 in Taylorville. Following a renovation project, the workshop and work activity programs were moved to the present location. Both client participation and manufacturing continued to grow. The Association clinic moved during this time as well to South Webster Street.

Prior to 1979 production business was mainly the repair of Pepsi cases, building cardboard pallets, sorting and packaging grain bin parts, and doing mailings. In 1979, CCMHA began building plywood reels, and this business has continued to expand. In the early 1980s, the clinic moved to West Market Street.

In July of 1982, a 3600 square foot addition to the Developmental Center was attached to the Southwest corner of the building. The addition presently houses light manufacturing areas.

The client load continued to grow, as did production and sales. In November of 1983, another 3,600 square foot addition was attached to the southwest corner of the building. This additional space is used for day programs, activities and occasionally for evening activities.

Dramatic increases in enrollment and sales caused the association to expand again in 1985. A two-acre tract of land and a building of 16,000 square feet were purchased just north of the Developmental Center. This acquisition allowed treatment, programming and production to thrive on almost four acres of land and in over 33,000 square feet of building space.

In 1988 the Association built a new clinic facility on Pawnee Street in Taylorville. In 1989 CCMHA was designated by the Illinois Department of Human Services as a Preferred Provider Agency. In 1990 the Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) services were initiated for five Developmental Center clients. Today, CCMHA offers three facilities for those with developmental disabilities and one for those with mental illness.

The Developmental Center was remodeled and expanded in 1992. In 2007, an adjoining property of 18,000 square feet was purchased.

In 2010, CCMHA began a year of transition. Ralph Antle, who served as the Association's top executive for 35 years, retired in February and transitioned to a new President and CEO, Brent DeMichael.

Today CCMHA services approximately 100 clients in day programs and employ about 100 full and part-time staff/employees. The agency budget is nearly $9,000,000, with manufacturing sales totaling approximately $5,000,000.

As the number of persons we serve continues to grow and additional needs are identified in the community, CCMHA will use all available resources to continue expanding and improving services and programs to meet those needs.