FEARS vs FACTS

There is some misinformation circulating about the proposed PADS Permanent Supportive Housing location in Lake Zurich, causing fear among some residents. Discussions with the LCHA, PADS, and LZPD have helped to identify the FACTS, which help to dispel some of these FEARS.

 

FEAR	FACT
No one will be monitoring the residents.	There will be a staff member on duty 24/7. During regular business hours there will be a masters level clinician and counselor at the residence. In addition, an APN  (Advanced Practice Nurse) will be available to manage and prescribe any needed medication.
Residents may be able to leave at any time and might end up walking into people’s backyards.	There is a curfew. That does not mean that if someone steps outside to see the moon, get fresh air, smoke a cigarette, etc. that the community needs to turn them in. Everyone deserves fresh air and a little freedom.
No supportive services will be available for the residents.	On-site services will be available for case management, behavioral health services, medical/psychiatric services, and other life skills training.
We don’t know what kind of residents will move in.	There is a vetting process used to select individuals who would be best suited for this type of program. It is anticipated that residents will be age 55 and older.  They have a disability diagnosis and have been selected because they would do well in this type of housing environment.
EVERYONE who owns a home in the area, who has children that attend May Whitney or Lake Zurich High School, who walk their dogs or jog through local neighborhoods, or whose livelihood depends on their local business operations, should be concerned.	These residents are not hardened criminals, sexual predators, or child molesters. The mental illnesses they might be dealing with vary, but are not of the severity that would warrant or necessitate institutionalization. All of the organizations involved have been doing this a long time, and the vetting process for residents is done with the best interests of both the residents and the community in mind.
Residents won’t have any form of transportation.	Residents will have transportation available to them, and the staff can also run to the store if needed.
If LZPD is called to the facility for some reason, they might not be able to handle the situation, or be able to respond to other LZ residents needs.	LZPD is trained in fielding calls that may involve individuals with mental illness (e.g. crisis intervention, de-escalation training). LZPD has the appropriate staff on hand to support all residents.