(Chicago, IL) — Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) has received a national award from the American Psychiatric Foundation for its achievements in community mental health for minorities.

The agency was one of four recipients nationwide to receive an Honorable Mention in the APF’s fifth annual Awards for Advancing Minority Health competition at the 2008 APF Annual Benefit in Washington, D.C. on May 3.

In announcing the award, the Foundation recognized C4 for “consistently implementing successful, innovative approaches … that include: actively recruiting staff and clinical leadership to reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of its population served; hiring parent advocates to breakdown cultural and racial barriers to treatment; and engaging in partnerships with other agencies to reach ethnic populations culturally resistant to mental health services.”