The state on Monday opened its first center designed to connect Asian American families with government resources.
“The family advocacy center will serve as a one-stop shop for information, connection and support with programs to strengthen families and help them maintain stability in this country,” said Hong Liu, executive director of the Midwest Asian Health Association. , which will work. the center at 218 W. 26th St. in Armored Square.
The nonprofit “is a trusted community organization to provide resources with respect, care and support,” Liu said.
The center will offer case management services, parent support groups, health insurance enrollment, a food pantry, immunizations and monthly health screenings.
The center will also support family reunifications and stabilize foster placements. Services will be available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish.
It will serve Chicago's Asian American community with funding from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Liu said.
“Among all populations, Asian immigrant families are the least likely to seek help from mainstream resources,” Liu said during the center's opening event Monday, pointing to language and cultural barriers.
Midwest Asian Health Association currently provides health education and preventive health care services such as screenings, immunizations, annual checkups, lab tests and physician referrals.
The new Asian American health center will offer case management services, parent support groups, health insurance enrollment, a food pantry, immunizations and monthly health screenings.
Family Advocacy Centers are a statewide network of community-based providers with the goal of supporting families to keep them out of the state child welfare system. These groups tailor their preventive services to the specific needs of the communities they serve. There are 38 family support centers in Illinois and they accept referrals from DCFS and other community stakeholders.
In addition to operating the family advocacy center, the Midwest Asian Health Association received a $287,000 DCFS grant.
Also at Monday's event was Grace Hou, the state's deputy governor. Heidi Muller, director of DCFS. State Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago; state Theresa Mah, D-Chicago; Ada Tong, Chief of Asian American Services for DCFS. and Jeongling Liu, the chairman of the board of the Midwest Asian Health Association.
