Join the list of farm mental health providers.
The Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program establishes a network of Illinois mental health providers who will accept vouchers, and distributes vouchers as requested to agricultural producers and family members who seek care from the network of approved providers. Our goal is to provide Illinois agricultural producers with mental health resources and access to trained professionals.
Providers must be enrolled with University of Illinois Extension in order to accept vouchers. Interested providers should fill out the Participating Provider’s Form or message farm-stress@illinois.edu to determine eligibility. Once approved, providers can start accepting vouchers. Independent providers and entire agencies are encouraged to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program?
The Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program aims to connect agricultural producers and their families with local mental health professionals. This program would enable producers to seek mental health services at no cost to the producer or their family members. From this program, we hope to broaden mental health access for agricultural producers and their families.
How does this program work?
Agricultural producers fill out an online form and receive three vouchers to be used with a nearby partnering provider. The producer will contact the provider’s office directly to schedule an appointment. Producers will present the voucher at each visit, totaling three separate vouchers for three separate visits.
How will I be reimbursed?
After each visit, the participating provider will send the voucher back in to be reimbursed directly from the University of Illinois Extension without involving insurance companies at any step of the process. Vouchers may only be reimbursed by participating providers who have a signed contract.
What happens after the three vouchers have been used?
We understand that addressing wellness is unique for each individual, and everyone has their own journey. One request generates three vouchers. Requests are fulfilled in the order received, as funds remain available. Multiple requests may be fulfilled, but are not guaranteed.
What level of confidentiality is associated with this program?
Confidentiality is extremely important to us. Personal information, such as names, addresses, or other individually identifiable information will be held confidentially by the project team and not shared or distributed. Once a voucher number is assigned, that will be the identifier, not the name or any other contact information. Mental health providers will not share any files or medical history with Illinois Extension or voucher program staff.
What is the Agricultural Literacy Training program?
The Agricultural Literacy Training was developed to ensure mental health providers are prepared to work with agricultural clientele. When you sign up, a professional development scholarship covers the cost of a new, research-based online training. This online course offers continuing education units for LCSWs, LSWs, LCPCs, and LPCs.
Agricultural Literacy Training Program
To ensure mental health providers are prepared to work with agricultural clientele, Illinois Extension offers an online course to improve agricultural literacy. Providers who agree to participate in the Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program will receive a professional development scholarship to cover the cost of a new, research-based online course about agricultural literacy for mental health providers. This online course offers continuing education units for LCSWs, LSWs, LCPCs, and LPCs.
