History Our agency started as a small entity subcontracting through J.W. and Associates from 1994 through 1996 and Ada S. McKinley from 1996 through 1998. During the year of 1998, the agency became an independent contractor for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). Although Howard Counseling Services, Inc. continues to be an independent contractor for IDCFS, the agency believes there is even a greater need within the community, so we have also become an independent contractor for other private agencies, to provide an array of services to serve the entire Metropolitan Chicago Area. Our Goals Our goal as an agency is to develop an individualized client treatment plan that creates and helps an individual or family maintain stability, by providing behavioral modification, crisis intervention, social, and coping skills that will aid our efforts in helping individuals meet their needs and/or in unifying the family system. About Our President Tony Howard received his BSW in Social Work at the University of Findlay, in Findlay, Ohio in 1993, and received his MSW in Social Work at the University of Illinois, in Chicago, IL, in 2002. He has worked as a Therapist since 1998. He worked in Foster Care and Adoption as a Caseworker for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois for 8 years. Other experiences include 5 years as a Family Educator for Maryville Academy and Group Homes Inc.; 1 year as a Probation Officer; 4 years in Special Education; and 6 years as a Community Independent Living Worker (with the Elderly). His work experience has allowed him to work with many individuals and families from diverse backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, cultures and age groups. As President of Howard Counseling Services, Inc., he has been an independent contractor of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for Post Adoption and Subsidized Guardianship Counseling since 1998 and for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for Intact and General Counseling since 2008. He has also been an independent contractor for private agencies since 2008. Our Staff’s Credentials All counseling services are provided by highly trained Master Level and Licensed (LPC, LCPC, LSW, LCSW) Clinical Therapists.