At-Risk Programs
Cornerstone offers support services for a wide range of families needing assistance. Those families include first time mothers and fathers, families with adopted children, children having problems in school, and children at risk with the juvenile justice system. These services are funded by the State of Illinois, by grants from foundations and organization, as well as donations from individuals in the community. Many of these services are provided at little or no cost to the client, but certain eligibility factors must be met to receive services.
Our dedicated and caring staff work tirelessly to deliver the services that Cornerstone has been known for since we opened our doors in 1947.
Comprehensive Youth Services provides mental health counseling to at-risk-youth who have social, emotional and/or behavioral problems that hinder their success in school, at home, and in the community. We have partnered closely with area schools for over 37 years to meet the needs of the children and their families.
First Steps, our Healthy Families Illinois accredited child abuse prevention program, is dedicated to promoting positive parenting skills, provides information about child health and development to young mothers and fathers in Adams County who are at risk for challenges in parenting, including child abuse and neglect.
Adoption Preservation provides support from professionals who understand the dynamics of a family who have adopted. With extensive training in trauma and attachment we provide educational and support groups, community, and agency resources as well as up to two years of services at no cost.
Cornerstone is about you, about community, and about our clients…
"The adoption support program is teaching us to better recognize and understand the individual, specific needs of each of our adopted children. The staff at Cornerstone is helping guide us through the often-overwhelming issues that can arise with adopting children from troubled beginnings and is helping us form a stronger connection as a family. Most importantly, Cornerstone has taught us that we are not alone in this journey."
"Cornerstone has helped my little family out in so many ways. The First Steps program helped and encouraged me along the way while becoming a new daddy. I learned different things to teach my daughter to help her develop and goals to achieve. It feels as if the staff became part of my family in a lot of ways and that means the world to me. I don’t think I’d be doing as well as I am now personally or for my daughter if I didn’t have First Steps in my life."
"While Quincy Public Schools have systems in place to address social/emotional needs, there are students whose needs go beyond what is available. Cornerstone’s school-based counseling (Comprehensive Youth Services) fills the gap by providing quality mental health therapy services in the school setting. Partnering with Cornerstone takes down barriers that keep parents from obtaining counseling services and keeps kids in school. With services in the school setting, parents are more willing to give consent and student exposure to academic instruction is optimized because the students are in school. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of providing this 'gift' to our students and parents."
Why We Do What We Do
"I have experienced firsthand the good work that Cornerstone does for children and families, especially adoptive families like ours. That’s why I’m here."
"I appreciate Fist Steps just because I learn new things to be a better parent toward my child and this program helps my child grow and learn. Thank you."
"I feel that I am a more confident parent. I have been in the program for 3 years and I was very unsure about how I was going to do as a mom; now I think I’m a great mom!"
"Elena always greeted us with a smile and was helpful in making appointment adjustments and checking in."
"It’s helping me a lot since I am a first time mom."
