The Link and Option Center

What The Link and Option Center does

The Link and Option Center, Inc. (TLOC) is a private nonprofit behavioral health organization founded in 1994 by Dr. Twin D. Green and headquartered in South Holland, Illinois. It operates as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) at 900 E. 162nd Street in South Holland and as a Certified Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) across two Hazel Crest locations, delivering integrated mental health, substance use disorder treatment, primary care, maternal health, and crisis services to youth, adults, and families across Chicago's south suburban Cook County communities (Harvey, Dolton, Riverdale, Markham, Robbins, Chicago Heights, South Holland, Hazel Crest) regardless of ability to pay. The organization is positioned as the only CCBHC south of Chicago and earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation and Behavioral Health Home Certification in 2019.

TLOC's service portfolio is anchored by the CCBHC program-of-care and delivered across fixed-site clinics plus the Carrie Cares Mobile Health Clinic ("Carry"), which rotates through south suburban host sites to provide maternal health, mental health, primary care, medication management, crisis services, and chronic disease management on a walk-in basis. Additional flagship programs include the Quiet Storm Crisis Triage Living Room with 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response (90-minute dispatch), the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, the Senior Wellness Concierge Call Center, the "Held Tight — In My Mother's Hands" prenatal and postpartum program, a 16-bed Crisis Stabilization Unit, and a Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center. Technology infrastructure centers on the Ensoftek | DrCloudEHR Electronic Health Records platform with a 24/7 Client Access Patient Portal for appointments, test results, billing, and record release, supplemented by telepsychiatry delivery and a live Microsoft Outlook Calendar powering the mobile clinic's host-site scheduling.

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream model combining clinical service fees, government and public-agency grants, private donations, and event-driven fundraising. Clinical services are billed to Medicaid managed care plans (CountyCare, Meridian, Molina, NextLevel Health, YouthCare), private insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Health Care), and uninsured self-pay on a published sliding fee scale (Discount Fee Scale Form). State and county funders include the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Cook County, and the Cook County Department of Public Health. Private fundraising comprises annual Gala Awards events (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), seasonal donation drives, GoFundMe campaigns, and individual donor cultivation — most notably $600,000 raised over four years to launch the Carrie Cares mobile clinic, with an additional $900,000 actively being sought to sustain staffing and operations.

Name

The Link and Option Center

Legal name

The Link & Option Center, Inc.

Website

https://link-option.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Link and Option Center is a South Holland, Illinois-based nonprofit Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic providing integrated mental health, substance use, maternal health, and crisis services across Chicago's south suburban communities regardless of ability to pay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Post-Acute & Transitional Care Virtual Platforms (SNF/home health coordination) (HLALABAG)

Keywords

• Community mental health services
• Behavioral health clinic
• Mobile health clinic
• Crisis intervention services
• Integrated behavioral healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

South Holland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Clinical Service Fees (Sliding Fee Scale): Revenue from clinical, mental health, substance use, primary care, and behavioral health services billed to Medicaid, private insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Health Care, Meridian, Molina, NextLevel Health Care, CountyCare, YouthCare), and uninsured self-pay clients using a sliding fee scale published via Discount Fee Scale Form. Services provided regardless of ability to pay.
2. Government and Public Agency Grants: Funding from Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IHFS), Cook County, and Cook County Department of Public Health to support CCBHC operations, ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) program, and community behavioral health services.
3. Private Donations and Capital Campaign: Raised $600,000 in private donations over four years to launch the Carrie Cares mobile clinic; still seeking an additional $900,000 to sustain staffing and operations. Backed by individual donors and corporate supporters through galas, Standard Donations, and GoFundMe campaigns.
4. Crowdfunding (GoFundMe): Active GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to purchase equipment and hire staff for the Senior Wellness Concierge Call Center program launched during COVID-19.
5. Annual Gala Fundraising Events: Revenue from annual Gala Awards events (held 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and seasonal/general fundraisers (Feb 15 – Mar 30, Jun 1 – Jul 15, Oct 1 – Nov 14, Nov 1 – Dec 31), including dedicated Gala Awards Donations channel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Link & Option Center, Inc. (TLOC) operates a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) delivering integrated behavioral health, mental health, substance use, primary care, and maternal health services to youth, adults, and families in Chicago's south suburban Cook County. Services are delivered through fixed clinics in South Holland and Hazel Crest, the Carrie Cares Mobile Health Clinic, a 24/7 Quiet Storm Crisis Triage Living Room, Mobile Crisis Response with 90-minute dispatch, and telepsychiatry — provided regardless of ability to pay via a sliding fee scale.

Product overview

The Link & Option Center, Inc. (TLOC) operates as a multi-program Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) rather than a single unified software product. Its flagship is the CCBHC platform-of-care, delivered from locations in South Holland and Hazel Crest, Illinois, which integrates a portfolio of named programs and clinical modules: the Carrie Cares Mobile Health Clinic (with its Host Site Partnership program), the Crisis Triage Living Room ("The Quiet Storm"), Mobile Crisis Response, the Senior Wellness Concierge Call Center, the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program, Doula Services and Prenatal/Postpartum Care ("Held Tight – In My Mother's Hands™"), and a full clinical services menu (Family Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Psychiatric Evaluation, MAT/Medication Management, Case Management Recovery Support, Behavioral Health Urgent Care, Crisis Stabilization Units, etc.). These modules fit together under the CCBHC umbrella, which coordinates behavioral health, substance use, primary care, and crisis care regardless of ability to pay, with a Patient Portal (via DrCloudEHR) and a Microsoft Outlook-powered mobile clinic calendar serving as the connective technology layer for patient access and community scheduling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Carrie Cares Mobile Health Clinic: Mobile health clinic providing maternal health, mental health, primary care, crisis services, medication management, and chronic health management across south suburban Chicago communities; nicknamed "Carry" in news coverage.
• The Quiet Storm
• Held Tight – In My Mother's Hands

Products and services

• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) A comprehensive, integrated community mental health model providing a full range of mental health and substance-use disorder services, behavioral health home care coordination, immediate screening and risk assessment, 24/7/365 crisis services, tailored veteran and military support, and services to any individual regardless of ability to pay. Located at 900 E. 162nd Street, Suite 102, South Holland, IL 60473.
• Carrie Cares Mobile Health Clinic Mobile clinic delivering Maternal Health (OB/GYN), Mental Health, Primary Care, Medication Management, Crisis Services, and Chronic Health Management directly into south suburban Chicago communities (Harvey, Dolton, Riverdale, Markham, Robbins, Chicago Heights, South Holland, Hazel Crest). Staffed by OB/GYN, Primary Care Physician, RN, APN, Medical Assistant, Doula Support Team, Mental Health Therapist, and Substance Use Counselor on a walk-in, no-appointment-needed basis.
• Mobile Health Clinic Host Site Partnership Program Program enabling local businesses and community organizations to host the Carrie Cares Mobile Health Clinic at their locations, expanding community-based access to maternal health, mental health, primary care, crisis services, and chronic health management through a live Microsoft Outlook-powered calendar.
• Crisis Triage Living Room (The Quiet Storm) 24/7 mental health crisis respite program offering a comfortable, non-clinical space as an alternative to hospital emergency rooms for individuals in psychiatric emergencies. Operated at the Hazel Crest Certified Community Mental Health Center with a 24/7 Crisis Triage Living Room Hotline (800-261-8905).
• Mobile Crisis Response 24/7 community-based crisis response program in which trained clinicians arrive within 90 minutes to provide in-home crisis stabilization and intervention, safety plans, clinical recommendations, and tailored support, connecting clients to other CCBHC services. Hotline 1-800-261-8905 active all day, every day.
• Senior Wellness Concierge Call Center Telephone-based concierge service for seniors and individuals with chronic medical conditions, providing care coordination including grocery and medication delivery, medical appointment coordination, pharmacy support, insurance navigation, mental health support, end-of-life and palliative care resources, and crisis check-ins.
• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program Specialty clinical program within the CCBHC framework providing 24/7 community-based care for individuals with severe mental illness via multi-disciplinary teams offering clinical, administrative, and operational leadership for community-based assertive treatment.
• Prenatal and Postpartum Care (Held Tight – In My Mother's Hands) Prenatal and postpartum care for new and pregnant mothers covering birth support, postpartum care for up to 12 months, and facilitation of matches to permanent housing and support services. Includes community-based doula support to help pregnant women have positive birthing experiences and adjust to parenthood after delivery.
• Family Counseling and Therapeutic Reunification (Family Connections) Therapy service addressing psychological, behavioral, and emotional issues causing family problems, including court-ordered and independently sought supervised visitation and reunification therapy supporting noncustodial parents in reconnecting with children and mending strained or broken parent-child relationships.
• Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Behavioral health program for children and adolescents ages 4 to 17 addressing out-of-control behavior, depression, abuse and trauma, and school difficulties using play therapy, art therapy, behavior modification, and family therapy.
• Individual Counseling and Client-Centered Consultation Evidence-based one-on-one therapy and care tailored to individual needs, available both in-person at TLOC clinics and via telehealth/telepsychiatry.
• Psychiatric Evaluation and Psychotropic Medication Management Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and treatments for a full range of behavioral health disorders in adolescents, teens, and adults, including psychotropic medication prescription and management, psychological testing, and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) combining medications with counseling for adult opioid use disorders.
• Integrated Health Care Coordination (Health Home Care Coordination) Coordination of mental health and primary health needs through a care team of professionals providing person-centered healthcare, health screenings, and chronic condition management and prevention.
• Case Management Recovery Support Community-based case management for individuals at risk of psychiatric hospitalization, connecting clients to SSI/SSDI benefit applications, medical, social, legal, educational, housing, and vocational services.
• Mental Health Assessment and Substance Use Treatment Screening and assessment services to evaluate whether key features of alcohol or drug abuse are present, with substance use treatment for adolescents and adults, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
• Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center Walk-in outpatient behavioral health crisis services and medication management offered as part of the CCBHC observation unit.
• Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) Short-term (3–5 days average) overnight crisis stabilization units limited to 16 beds or less, providing peer support, assessment, psychiatric resources, and brief intervention for patients experiencing a crisis.
• Community-Based Mental Health Care for Veterans Tailored mental health services for active-duty military members and veterans ensuring they receive unique healthcare support within the CCBHC framework.
• Patient Portal (DrCloudEHR) 24/7 online patient portal enabling appointment requests and views, test result access, bill payment and viewing, printable health forms, and medical record release-of-information requests.

Quantifiable outcome

• Raised $600,000 in private donations over four years for the Carrie Cares mobile clinic (still seeking additional $900,000 to sustain staffing and operations)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill (5th District)majorOthers · 19 May 2025Joined The Link & Option Center at the May 19, 2025 Black Maternal Health Press Conference at South Holland Community Center to issue a red alert about the maternal health crisis in South Suburban Cook County. Elected official supporter.
• State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin (38th District)majorOthers · 19 May 2025Joined The Link & Option Center at the May 19, 2025 Black Maternal Health Press Conference. State elected official supporting maternal health advocacy in South Suburban Cook County.
• State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (8th District)majorOthers · 19 May 2025Joined The Link & Option Center at the May 19, 2025 Black Maternal Health Press Conference. State elected official supporting maternal health advocacy in South Suburban Cook County.
• Cook County Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as both a Community Partner and a Funder. Coordinates public health programming and supports population health initiatives for south suburban Cook County.
• Aunt Martha'smajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Aunt Martha's is a regional health and human services organization collaborating on community-based care.
• Advocate Trinity HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Hospital partner for integrated behavioral health, ED triage assessments, and care coordination.
• Advocate South Suburban HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Hospital partner for integrated behavioral health, ED triage assessments, and care coordination.
• Ingalls Memorial HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Hospital partner for integrated behavioral health and discharge planning.
• Hartgrove HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Also the employer of Board Treasurer Jackie Glass. Hospital partner supporting behavioral health services.
• Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Coordinates emergency services for homeless prevention and supportive housing referrals.
• Illinois Health Practice AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Collaborative partner within the regional health practice ecosystem.
• Beloved Community Wellness CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Wellness center partner supporting community health initiatives.
• Grand Prairie ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Behavioral health services partner.
• Habilitative Systems, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Habilitative services partner.
• South Central CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Regional community services collaborator.
• The South Suburban CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. Regional council partner for substance use, mental health, and community programming.
• CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner. CEDA supports community development, energy assistance, and family services across the south suburbs.
• The Joint CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1951; accredits and certifies more than 21,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. Granted The Link & Option Center the Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation and Behavioral Health Home Certification following an onsite survey in December 2018.
• Ensoftek | DrCloudEHRcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing the Electronic Health Records platform (DrCloudEHR) and Client Access Patient Portal that power medical record requests, referrals, appointment requests, test results access, billing, and health forms completion for The Link & Option Center.
• Loyola University Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional affiliation of Board Chairman Rita Lane. Represents deep academic and clinical research connections to the agency.
• Primerica Financial ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional affiliation of Vice Chairman Bill Green. Corporate community stakeholder on the Board of Directors.
• Bhatt FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Hitesh Bhatt (Board Member, since August 14, 2025). Foundation representation on the Board of Directors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness: Regional Illinois community health and human services organization explicitly named as a TLOC partner, delivering similar integrated primary care, behavioral health, and youth/family services to Medicaid and uninsured populations across the south suburbs and beyond.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based community mental health provider serving individuals with serious mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring disorders — directly comparable to TLOC's adult behavioral health, ACT-style case management, and crisis-stabilization service lines.
• Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare: Chicago-area behavioral health organization providing community-based mental health, substance use, and crisis services, with overlapping CCBHC-adjacent operating model and similar Medicaid-funded service mix to TLOC.
• Heartland Alliance Health: Chicago-based nonprofit delivering integrated primary care, behavioral health, and supportive housing services to Medicaid, uninsured, and homeless populations — directly comparable to TLOC's CCBHC, case management, and co-located service delivery model.
• Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4): Chicago-based CCBHC operator providing integrated behavioral health, primary care, and crisis services to underserved populations — the closest peer model to TLOC's CCBHC structure, including 24/7 crisis and ability-to-pay waivers.
• Family Guidance Centers: Chicago-area behavioral health and substance use treatment provider offering outpatient mental health, MAT, and community-based services to Medicaid and uninsured populations — directly comparable to TLOC's adult behavioral health and MAT programs.
• Pilsen Wellness Center: Chicago community health organization providing integrated behavioral health, substance use, primary care, and youth services to Medicaid and uninsured residents — comparable to TLOC's CCBHC-style integrated, mission-driven service delivery.
• Haymarket Center: Chicago-based nonprofit providing comprehensive substance use treatment, mental health, and recovery support services, including MAT and residential programs — directly comparable to TLOC's CADC counseling, MAT, and recovery support offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Rosecrance Health Network: Established Illinois-based behavioral health provider operating across the full continuum (inpatient, outpatient, residential, crisis) with a much broader geographic footprint than TLOC — a broad incumbent offering overlapping CCBHC-adjacent services but as part of a wider portfolio.

Emerging players

• Mahmee: Digital maternal-health platform providing Doula, prenatal, and postpartum support to underserved mothers — comparable to TLOC's Held Tight maternal health program and Doula services as a tech-enabled, emerging alternative in the maternal-health space TLOC serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/EVU3ZGGF-SA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-link-option-center-inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Link and Option Center