CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 03/11/2024

Approved by Committee Members 03/11/2024

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

Meeting Minutes - Monday, March 11, 2024 - 01:00 pm-3:00 pm via WebEx

Call to Order/Roll Call

  • Lee Ann Reinert reviewed procedures around the Open Meetings Act and meeting logistics.
  • Lee Ann Reinert called meeting to order at 1:02 pm.
  • Approval of Minutes (2/13/2024 meeting): Lee Ann Reinert asked for a motion to approve minutes. Brent Reynolds motioned. Bobby Van Beber seconded. All present members voted to approve the 2/13/2024 meeting minutes. Motion carries.
  • Members present: Lee Ann Reinert (Delegate for David Albert), Bobby Van Beber (Delegate for Ashley Thoele), Shelley Dallas, Brent Reynolds, Drew Hansen, Richard Manthy, Blanca Campos, Emily Miller, Pooja Nagpal, Curtis Harris, Jessica Gimeno (Delegate for Candace Coleman)
  • Members not present: Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Rachel Ahart, Jim Kaitschuk

State Updates (Lee Ann Reinert):

  • The only public comment or questions that came in since our last meeting were from A. Scott Washington. Joliet Junior College is hosting a one-day training event around crisis response. Mr. Washington is presenting. This event is something he created, and it is not an official DMH or DHS or Crisis Hub training but is something he is doing for his community. He sent us some questions through the CESSA email inbox. We are communicating that to him but also showing as a public comment here.
    • Lorrie Jones: It's important to get accurate information for the field so we welcome the opportunity to clarify information as we do not want misinformation to be shared.
    • Lee Ann Reinert: It was clear that he [Mr. Washington] and others have read and studied the act, and the act says certain things are supposed to take place. It's a work in progress. Communication is so important to make sure that folks don't make assumptions that just because something was written into an act, that that is the way things are operating currently.
  • Update on pending revisions to the legislation:
    • House Bill 5377 is going to be heard in the Police and Fire Committee Hearing, March 14, 2024, 8:30am, Room 122B, Capitol Building
    • House Amendment 1 the takes language about the deadline extension and puts that into the legislation that we discussed in our last SAC meeting which addresses the ability to have flexibility around chairs for the RACs and sub-regional work for the RACs.
    • Emily Miller: If the house bill were to go to the behavioral health committee, they may have more information about CESSA.
    • Lee Ann Reinert: Some people may say police and fire is where it belongs because it's talking about procedures that affect police and fire.
  • Jessica Gimeno: Follow up about the question that was posed from the last SAC meeting which is in the minutes from that meeting. Are the 590s and MCRT regulated by CESSA, are they the same thing or are there differences? If there are differences, can we describe the differences for the public? For example, if there is a 590 doing involuntary commitment work, can they continue that work from pre-CESSA as long as they are not doing it as a CESSA regulated MCRT? And in that case, would that area also need a CESSA regulated MCRT?
    • Lee Ann Reinert: 590 is an accounting number from our DMH system that helps us track our programs. We created a capacity grant that was connected to the plans for expanding the crisis continuum as a result of 988. 988 is not the result of CESSA and CESSA is not the result of 988. They occurred in a parallel tracks but they did not cause each other. MCRT through DMH are funded by program 590. CESSA talks about mobile crisis relief providers funded by DMH. Right now, the only teams that have been created by DMH as a result of crisis continuum planning are funded through 590. That doesn't mean they are the only teams responding down the road, but these are the only teams currently funded by DMH. I would strongly advise against creating another team for mobile crisis that is regulated by CESSA because the task of creating mobile crisis response statewide is monumental and there are already not enough resources.
    • Lee Ann Reinert: Not regulated by CESSA, I don't even know what that means. The Act says you are to follow these rules, then you are regulated by CESSA. But if we lived in a world where we had enough resources, to tell this is a CESSA response, this is not a CESSA response, would be even more complicated. I don't believe our communities would be better served.
    • Blanca Campos: I just wanted to reinforce what you said. We don't have the capacity as a system to have 590 response and a separate CESSA response. I am looking forward to working with our colleagues to make sure our 590 providers can assist in this process because the involuntary commitment process saves lives.
    • Curtis Harris: What we are talking about is that we are going to regulate 590 to 988 calls. When is it going to be implemented?
    • Lee Ann Reinert: The short answer is there is already connection there, but we don't have good technology. We have seven 988 call centers. Each call center has information about the MCRT that operate in their area. We are working to make connections between the 988 call centers and MCRT, but we don't have a shared platform for them to communicate yet, and we don't have a single system that will ensure a 988 call center can dispatch a mobile crisis response. But every month we have 988 call centers that are reaching out MCRT funded by 590 and MCRT responds when the 988 asks them too. But it's not close to what we observed in Arizona and Virgina yet.

Continuation of Visioning Work (Mike Thompson):

  • Revised Suggested Vision Statement: Whenever and wherever a person experiences a mental health or substance use related emergency, that person is connected to services and supports that enable the individual to recover, heal, and thrive.
  • Recommended Revisions to Draft Description of Values:
    • Demonstrate that behavioral health emergencies require responses consistent with emergency physical health care.
    • Ensure the safety and well-being of all people present.
    • Provide responses that are timely, welcoming, and coordinated, that are informed by latest research, and that reflect an appreciation for people's desire to self-direct what type of care they receive and where they receive it.
    • Ensure that responses to behavioral health emergencies requiring on-scene assistance and transportation to a service provider reflect a commitment to community-based supports; jail is used as a last resort, only when required to protect the public.
    • Design systems and ensure quality using the insight and perspective of people with lived experiences.
    • Tailor strategies to the uniqueness of each community.
    • Ground all efforts in equity, and an understanding that care must be responsive to a person's age, gender, culture, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other needs.
  • Brent Reynolds: This looks great.
  • Members can mail additional comments to the DMH CESSA inbox, and we will share with Mike.
  • Mike Thompson: Any comments on the values section? No comments.

UIC Crisis Hub Updates (Dr. Lorrie Jones):

  • Communication Plan: We did agree that we would get quarterly updates from each of the mental health initiatives that we talked about in the in-person retreat. Those first quarterly updates will be due by the end of March. We are pleased that our state partners are cooperating with us and are agreeing to do that. We are asking for accomplishments from the last quarter and what they are expecting to work on in the next quarter. We have had Chief Jones come and give us regular updates, so we are well informed about his initiative.
  • We're finalizing the last draft of the definitions that have to be vetted across our sister agencies. The acronyms are done. We will be posted that very shortly also.

Regional Operations (Brenda Hampton):

  • There are six RACs that have solid connections with PSAPs. There is one RAC that's tentative because of turnover with the PSAPs so the co-chairs are working with them. There are three RACs that do not have PowerPhone. Once we move forward with Priority Dispatch and APCO, they will be folded into the pilots. There is one RAC that has a recently new co-chair, so we are bringing him up to speed.
  • RACs are also reviewing training plans for 988, 950, and 911. They will have feedback back to Dr. Terry Solomon in early April.
  • RACs are moving forward with hyper-local approach. RACs 1, 2, and 7 are hosting a summit to bring together local stakeholders
  • Co-chairs also discussed the joint meeting and the forum
  • Lorrie Jones: The Council of State Government Justice Center is inviting applications for the Great Lakes Community Responder Program Learning Community. We shared information with the RACs and invited them to apply.

Technical Subcommittees Updates:

  • Protocols and Standards (Dr. Mary Smith):
    • PowerPhone:
      • The Question Review Team of subject matter experts has submitted finalized protocol recommendations to PowerPhone.
      • The next step is a follow up meeting to develop a customized database for Illinois that incorporates IRLM risk factors and acuity.
      • Concurrently, we need to review the updated protocols with EMS medical directors and IDPH for their approval. Then, they will be incorporated into the pilot plans that Brenda just talked about.
    • Priority Dispatch: It will look different from PowerPhone but we will find a way to represent the risk factors from the IRLM and the acuity level.
    • APCO: First meeting with initial review of protocols was held.
    • Independents: Initial meeting scheduled for early April.
  • Technology and Data (Pete Eckart):
    • Subcommittee met twice in the last month and focused on three of the tasks we are committed to deliver recommendations for by June.
    • In the last meeting, the members of the subcommittee talked about a set of requirements, including
      • The need to scale
      • The importance of operating across the crisis continuum
      • Interoperability
      • The heterogeneity across the systems will present the biggest challenge
    • Brent Reynolds: We have a very small group of individuals participating in the subcommittee and in the audience. We're making decisions in what we believe is the best interest of all parties across the state, but when we come up with the recommendations, they may not make everyone happy so I will ask for additional participation as that would be appreciated.
  • Training (Dr. Terry Solomon):
    • The 911, 988, and 950 Training Plans approved by the Subcommittee were sent to the Regional Advisory Committees for review. Their feedback is due April 15.
    • As of today, we have received 14 unduplicated questions regarding the plans in the following question areas:
      • Training Certifications
      • Frequency of Training
      • Cross Training for 9-1-1, 988, and 590 Providers
      • List of current trainings
      • Requirement for 590 Grants
      • Training Required for both Police and EMS / Fire Telecommunicators
    • We will compile the frequently asked questions and provide that to the RACs.

Discussion on Joint SAC/RAC Meeting

  • Lorrie Jones: Suggestion in the last in-person meeting from Brent Reynolds. What would you like as an outcome?
  • Shelley Dallas: It appears that the RACs are at all different levels of where they are. It would be beneficial to have them each outline at what part of the process they are in and what else they may need from the SAC. I think the disconnect with caused by the different geographic areas and the populus areas and what they might need.
  • Lee Ann Reinert: What I'm hearing is a desire to understand the challenges that different RACs are facing and where SAC members might be able to assist.
  • Rick Manthy: I'd like to see if we have the ability to see where each RAC is at with their PSAPs and each 590 providers they work with. I know Cindy has gotten that information with surveys but let's see where they are at now since the survey came out.
  • Brent Reynolds: Having an understanding of the progress. In the beginning, we had some updates but since then I have heard from representatives from different RACs about their challenges and it's not consistent across the state. Having more engagement about their challenges.
  • Lee Ann Reinert: We have some RACs that are making progress, so I think we should share not just challenges but also successes. I want to make sure that everyone understands there is a lot of work going on in the RACs, it's not stalled, so there are lessons to be learned.
  • Brent Reynolds: We want to hear the success, but I think that's what we have already heard most. We want to hear and see what the needs are.
  • Emily Miller: I think it will be good for some regions to hear from others to see why some regions are having more success. What can we do as a state to get everybody rolling along?
  • Pooja Nagpal: Another piece of information I'd like is some data from the PSAPs about the types of mental health calls they receive. We can use that to help the RACs get more resources out when we understand the nature of the mental health calls happening at a local level.
  • Lorrie Jones: I think that's great. I hope we can get some of that information. The data subcommittee has talked about the challenges about getting data from PSAPs in aggregate because they all have different codes. But maybe we can get individual PSAPs to share with their regions, and then regions could share with us.
  • Shelley Dallas: When you talk about data, we've talked in the protocols and standards subcommittee meetings at length about the types of calls. Instead of just the data, understanding the information gathering that they get.

Alternative Response Forum (Dr. Lorrie Jones):

  • We are planning a one-day forum where we are going to invite various jurisdictions across the country to come share with us about their non-police response models.
  • Purpose: To inspire our local communities to take on a leadership role in advancing alternative response in their communities, to learn from people who have done this
  • To be held in June in Chicago. Exact date to be confirmed after we confirm venue.
  • We are thinking invitation only because we have a finite budget. We may give each region a number of invites that they can share to give to people who would benefit from attending this. In addition to you [SAC members], policy makers, and others.
  • Jessica Gimeno: I would add people with lived experience.
  • Brent Reynolds: The later in the month, the more people may be on vacation.

SAC Next Steps:

  • Next virtual meeting date: April 8, 2024
  • Next in-person meeting date: May 13, 2024 in Springfield
    • We would like to extend the time so we will send something out to make sure that is okay.
    • Brent Reynolds: There is a tentative meeting for the Statewide 911 Advisory Board from 10 am - 12 pm in Springfield.
    • Blanca Campos: My vote is for the afternoon.
    • Pooja Nagpal: Would the May 13th in-person meeting be when the RAC is joining the SAC? Answer from Lee Ann Reinert: Yes
    • Jessica Gimeno: Yes, the afternoon is better. Will it also be hybrid like Glenview Answer from Lee Ann Reinert: Yes. It will be a public meeting so we will open the WebEx for people to participate.

Public Comment:

  • Kathleen McNamara: Will expert consultants be included in the June Forum? Answer from Lorrie Jones: Yes, absolutely.

Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned by Lee Ann Reinert at 2:32 pm.