CESSA - Region 10 Committee Meeting Approved Minutes 02/09/2023

Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) Region 10 Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes- February 9, 2023 - 9:00 - 10:30 AM via Zoom

Meeting Minutes - Approved by Members 03/16/2023

  • Welcome/Call to Order/Roll Call
    • Meeting called to order at 9:02 am by Chair Dr. Ben Feinzimer
    • Introduction of new member Michael Pellegrino
    • Attendees:
      • Via Zoom: Dr. Ben Feinzimer, Sam Johnson, Miriam Smith, Jodi Newmark, Brian Baker, Jason Seeley, Christopher Mayer, Emily Mysel, Alicia Atkinson, Christopher Voss, Nancy Vaccaro, Elizabeth Moss, Laura Banks, Jennifer Brothers, Jeremy Gaughan, Thomas Jones, Michael Pellegrino
    • Absences - None
  • Approval of Minutes
    • No comment/corrections to 01/12/2022 meeting minutes
    • Motion to approve by Member Brian Baker, second by Member Jason Seeley
    • Motion approved by all members present.
  • Overview: The Continuum of Law Enforcement/Behavioral Health Responses
    • Reviewed the different models of response
      • CIT
      • Co-Responder
      • Alternative Response with Mobile Crisis Response Teams
    • Questions/Comments from Members
      • Member Jennifer Brothers stated that there is strong evidence that CIT improves knowledge of the officers but there is no change in use or force or arrests. Also, that mental health trained individuals can handle a mental health crisis on the spot. Where to take people in crisis needs to be addressed.
      • Member Emily Mysel stated that CIT training was informative. There were video taped sessions where officers had to use the skills they learned and class watched the videos and provided feedback. Brought in people with lived experiences.
      • Member Nancy Vaccaro stated that the hybrid model with a CIT trained team and social worker worked very well.
      • Member Miriam Smith stated that she participates with CIT training in Lake County with NAMI. Mental health resources are needed in Lake County like The Living Room, so officers have someplace to take people. Need more services, more staff, and larger locations.
      • Member Alicia Atkinson stated that Mike Tracy would be a good resource on co-responder model.
      • Member Jeremy Gaughan discussed the COAST program that Gurnee Police Department participates in.
      • Member Brian Baker stated that Skokie Police Department has a CIT trained officer and a social worker that ride together and that they did see a change in arrests using CIT.
  • Understanding local resources for alternative response
    • Discussed the different models currently available in our region and co-chair Sam Johnson captured this information in a spreadsheet.
    • UIC will be coming out with a survey to collect data on what responses are available in our region.
  • State Updates
    • No one from the state attended our meeting to give the update.
    • Co-chair Sam Johnson went over the calendar of deliverables.
  • Open for Public Comment
    • Matt Fishback - Stated that he put information on CIT training and data in the Zoom meeting chat. Chat was saved. Also, that he can be the contact on our spreadsheet of what responses are available in our region for Cook County.
    • Mike Tracy - Stated that he would be happy to share what has worked and what hasn't in regards to the different models of response. Looking forward to this and it is needed.
    • Chris Baldwin of PATH stated that if anyone has any questions about PATH, you can reach out to him. He has attended some other regional meetings and that we have done a great job capturing information on our comprehensive spreadsheet.
  • Next meeting is March 16th, 2023, at 9:00-10:30 am via Zoom
  • Adjournment
    • Motion to adjourn by Member Jason Seeley, second by Member Jeremy Gaughan. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 am