Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) Statewide Advisory Committee

CESSA - Statewide Advisory Committee

On August 25, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA), 50 ILCS 754/, also known as the Stephon Edward Watts Act.

This new law is designed to enhance the response to behavioral health crises across our state. These enhancements to our crisis system will require a close collaboration between multiple systems and disciplines. The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Mental Health (DMH), as well as the Illinois Department of Public Health and the 911 Administrator will be working together to implement the law.

Section 40 of the Act requires DMH to establish a Statewide Advisory Committee and also lists the specific representatives required for appointment to the Committee.  The Appointees and their role can be found below:

  • 40.d.1: Statewide 911 Administrator, ex officio
    • Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Statewide 911 Administrator
  • 40.d.2: One representative designated by the Illinois Chapter of National Emergency Number Association (NENA)
    • Shelley Dallas, President of IL NENA
  • 40.d.3: One representative designated by the Illinois Chapter of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO)
    • Brent Reynolds, President of IL APCO
  • 40.d.4: One representative of the Division of Mental Health
    • David Albert, PhD, Director, Division of Mental Health
  • 40.d.5: One representative of the Illinois Department of Public Health
    • Ashley Thoele, Division Chief, EMS and Highway Safety
  • 40.d.6: One representative of a statewide organization of EMS responders
    • Andrew (Drew) Hansen, Director of Health, Safety and Education of Associated Firefighters of IL
  • 40.d.7: One representative of a statewide organization of fire chiefs
    • Richard Manthy, Jr., Division Chief - Arlington Heights Fire Department
  • 40.d.8: Two representatives of a statewide organizations of law enforcement
    • Alice Cary, Chief of Police, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Jim Kaitschuk, Executive Director Illinois Sheriff's Association
  • 40.d.9: Two representatives of a mental health, behavioral health or substance abuse providers
    • Blanca Campos, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of IL
    • Emily Miller, IARF Vice President for Behavioral Health Policy
  • 40.d.10: Four representatives of advocacy organizations either led by or consisting primarily of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, individuals with behavioral disabilities, or individuals with lived experience
    • Pooja Nagpal, NAMI Illinois Alliance of Peer Professionals Member Chair
    • Curtis Harris, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
    • Chris Huff, Diversion and Reentry Policy Analyst at Access Living
    • pending replacement

Schedule & Links

For copies of PowerPoints or any materials referenced in these meetings, please email DHS.DMH.CESSA@illinois.gov to request a copy.

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Charter - Approved by Members 07/11/2022

MEETING DATE & TIME LOCATION AGENDA/MINUTES/RECORDINGS (please note captions auto-generated)
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

June 12, 2023

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 06/12/2023
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

May 8, 2023

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 05/08/2023

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 05/08/2023 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

April 10, 2023

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 04/10/2023

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 04/10/2023 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 04/10/2023 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

March 13, 2023

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 03/13/2023

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 03/13/2023 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 03/13/2023 Recording Link  (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

**PLEASE NOTE UPDATED DATE AND TIME**

February 06, 2023

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

**PLEASE NOTE UPDATED DATE AND TIME**

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 02/06/2023

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 02/06/2023 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 02/06/2023 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

January 9, 2023

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 01/09/2023

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 01/09/2023 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 01/09/2023 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

December 12, 2022

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 12/12/2022

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 12/12/2022 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 12/12/2022 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

November 21, 2022

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

*PLEASE NOTE UPDATED MEETING DATE & TIME*

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 11/21/2022

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 11/21/2022 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 11/21/2022 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

October 14, 2022

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

*PLEASE NOTE UPDATED MEETING DATE*

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 10/14/2022

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 10/14/2022 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 10/14/2022 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

September 12, 2022

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 09/12/2022

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 09/12/2022 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 09/12/2022 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

August 8, 2022

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 08/08/2022

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 08/08/2022 Recording Link (please note captions auto-generated)

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 08/08/2022 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

July 11, 2022

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 07/11/2022

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 07/11/2022 Recording Link 

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 07/11/2022 Approved Minutes

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee

June 3, 2022 

10:30 AM

WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 06/03/2022

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 06/03/2022 Recording Link

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 06/03/2022 Approved Minutes