Social Services

The Division has two Social Workers who provide assessments, crisis intervention, brief therapeutic intervention, case management, advocacy, resource referrals, mental health referrals and Counseling Subsidy.

Counseling Subsidy 
The Counseling Subsidy Program aims to improve health equity by reducing barriers to receiving quality mental health services.  We know that the cost of treatment can create challenges.  Our program offers subsidy to off-set the cost of care for qualifying residents, allowing residents to be able to focus on healing. 

• Application in English
• Application in Spanish

The Village of Arlington Heights is committed to ensuring that every citizen is afforded an equal opportunity to participate in Village programs, services, facilities and communications.

Services include: assistance with aging in place, caregiver support, fall reduction programs, home modification recommendations, navigating senior care resources, connectivity to adaptive equipment, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, technical assistance, home visits in collaboration with Village Nurses, and sign language interpreters/accessible materials for Village events.
The Village's Senior Center welcomes 500 guests each day and provides a wide-variety of resources and activities. Learn more at www.vah.com/seniorcenter. 

• 9-1-1 Emergency Registration
• Low-income Refuse Discount (For Individuals with Disabilities and Seniors)
• Taxi Subsidy Program
• Vehicle Sticker Discount

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
It is the policy of the Village of Arlington Heights that the Village will not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, or operations of its programs, services or activities. The Village of Arlington Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

• ADA Transition Plan
• ADA Self Evaluation Study

ADA Grievance Procedure
This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the Village of Arlington Heights. The Village's Personnel Policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination. The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to Erin Mercado, Social Worker-Disability and Geriatric Services who acts as the ADA Coordinator. Erin can be reached at 847-368-5793 or at emercado@vah.com.  Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the ADA Coordinator will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, the ADA Coordinator will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of the Village of Arlington Heights and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.  If the response does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the Village Manager. Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the Village Manager or designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Village Manager or designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint. All written complaints received by the ADA Coordinator, appeals to the Village Manager or designee and responses will be retained by the Village of Arlington Heights for at least three years.

Emergency Assistance
Our Emergency Assistance program serves as a stopgap measure for residents of incorporated Arlington Heights who are experiencing a temporary economic hardship. This program provides assistance for basic needs, such as rent and utilities to qualifying applicants. If a resident is in need of financial assistance related to a medical bill, they are encouraged to reach out to the financial assistance department at that medical facility.

Eligibility for financial assistance is considered on a case-by-case basis. The minimal eligibility for consideration is as follows:

• Must be a resident of incorporated Arlington Heights
• Must be lacking in funds to pay said bill. All sources of income and assets will be considered
• Must be experiencing a temporary financial hardship, such as loss of a job
• Must have a past due balance for a basic need, such as rent or utilities
• Must have a plan for sustainability, for example the resident will be returning to work
• Assistance provided must remedy the financial emergency

• Assistance Application- English 
• Assistance Application - Spanish 

Park and C.A.P. Scholarships 
Scholarships for Park District programs are available for families who qualify based on household income and family size. The Park Scholarship allows residents to enroll in two programs per session for each member of the family. In addition to classes, the scholarship may also cover other activities, such as pool passes and summer camps. The Children At Play (C.A.P.) Scholarship provides financial support for before and after school programming. 

• Application in English
• Application in Spanish

Holiday Assistance 
Arlington Heights offers a Holiday Assistance Program for families in need. Residents and businesses sponsor families in need, and provide gift and gift card donations. If you are interested in sponsoring a family please contact the Division at 847-368-5791.  Applications for Holiday Assistance open October 2^nd, 2023.