History

In early 1978, The Epilepsy Association of Southwestern Illinois was established. This was made possible through the combined efforts of a group of people whose lives were affected by epilepsy, the St. Clair County Mental Health Board and staff, former Governor Dan Walker, Roberta Nelson Walker and interested professionals. The goal of the Association was to assist people with epilepsy and their families to lead the fullest, most productive lives possible.

The Epilepsy Association of Southwestern Illinois became a not-for-profit corporation, established a board of directors, and elected Dr. Bruce Brubaker of SIU-Edwardsville as the first Board president. Initially, the Association was strictly an information and referral agency. The St. Clair County Mental Health Board granted the Association "seed" money, which was used to capture Title XX funds. Shortly thereafter, the agency employed an executive director and a case manager. Services were soon expanded to include a variety of services.

Services progressed well until the late 1970s and early 1980s. During those times the Title XX Administrative contract was not renewed due to a policy of cutting federal funding. The Executive Director and the Case manager resigned, and the Epilepsy Association of Southwestern Illinois was at the most critical point of its short life. Termination of the agency was seriously considered. However, the Board of Directors stepped forward and one of the directors volunteered to execute the administrative affairs on a part-time basis. Funding was continued by Illinois Department of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities and the St. Clair County Mental Health Board. This allowed the Association to hire a case manager and continue to serve people whose lives are affected by epilepsy and the community at large.

In 1986, the Association hired a full-time Executive Director/Case Manager. The Agency obtained funding from the Madison County Mental Health Board. Fund raising efforts increased. In 1987 the Epilepsy Association of Southwestern Illinois received funding from the Governors Planning Counsel for a School Alert Program. The agency continued to offer case management services to seven counties in the Southwestern portion of Illinois.

In 1990, the Association applied for provider status for the Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA), and in 1991 the agency opened its first 24-hour residential CILA home. In 1995 the Association applied for Community Supported Living Arrangement (CSLA) status to serve consumers in their own homes. Camp Roehr was also added to offer children with epilepsy the opportunity to attend camp.

Finally, the Association changed its name in 1998 to the Epilepsy Foundation of Southwestern Illinois to more closely align itself as an affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation. Today, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois offers a wide range of services to include: information and referral, case management, public and professional education, advocacy, a parent and family network, support groups, recreational programs, children's camp program, and residential services.