NEWS RELEASE
August 22, 2006

For more information, contact:
Ms. Amy Harris, Director of Community Integrated Support Services
(618) 877-4420
aharris@chestnut.org
www.chestnut.org

CHESTNUT HEALTH SYSTEMS PROVIDES $60,000 TO CITY OF GRANITE CITY FOR PURCHASE OF SECURITY CAMERAS

Granite City, IL.  Chestnut Health Systems, using federal funds earmarked for the support of housing, case management and treatment of mentally ill individuals, is providing the City of Granite City $66,000 to assist the City in the purchase of security cameras and a surveillance system for the downtown area.

Chestnut Health Systems currently operates three facilities in downtown Granite City providing both housing and psychosocial rehabilitation to mentally ill individuals. Clients and staff at these facilities will benefit from the increased security provided by the City’s new surveillance system.

“Being able to pass HUD funds on to the City is a win/win for both Chestnut and the City and addresses key issues for both organizations. Chestnut is able to provide additional security to our clients and staff and the City is able to move further with their plans for safe redevelopment of the downtown area. We have provided services in this city for over 30 years and are pleased to be able to partner with Mayor Hagnauer and assist the city in this manner,” said Orville Mercer, Chestnut Health Systems’ Southern Region Manager.

For more than 30 years, Chestnut Health Systems has offered a broad array of behavioral healthcare services to residents of Madison, St. Clair, and McLean counties, fulfilling its mission of “making a difference: improving quality of life through excellence in service.” Known throughout the state as one of the leading providers of chemical dependency treatment and prevention, mental health treatment and housing, employee assistance and workplace services, and substance abuse research, training, consulting and publishing, Chestnut’s team of caring professionals now exceeds 700 full and part time staff. To learn more about Chestnut Health Systems, please visit our website at www.chestnut.org or contact Dietra Kulicke, Director of Marketing & Communications at (309) 827-6026.