CESSA - Region 6 Committee Meeting Approved Minutes 03/14/2024

Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) Region 6 Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes - March 14, 2024 - 2:30-3:00 PM via Zoom

Meeting Minutes - Approved by Members 05/21/2024

  • Welcome and Call to Order
    • Meeting called to order at 2:30 pm by John Aguilar
    • Chair and Co-Chair Introduction
  • Roll Call
    • Attendees:
      • Via Zoom: John Aguilar, Joseph King, Asantewaa Darkwa, Lindsay Lansu, Dustun Heuerman, Allan Axelrod, Greg Chance, Steve Bennett, Melissa Pappas, Ursulla Idleman, and Betsy Smith
      • Absent: Andrew Quarnstrom, James Russell, Jennifer Brown, Jeffrey Kiesling, Dustun Rhea, James "Cory" Koker, Jeffery Dean Ray, Amy Marley, Megan Cambron, Clay Curtright, and all Expert Consulting Group members.
      • Public Attendees: Angela Catalano, Matt Henson
  • Approval of Minutes
    • No Quorum - Minutes from 02/20/24 were not approved.
  • Open Meetings Act
    • Members were advised that the meetings are subject to the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
    • Meetings are recorded and you have the option to switch your camera off if you choose to.
    • A copy of this recording and minutes will be posted to the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health Open Meetings Page.
    • All participants are muted to reduce interference of background noise.
    • Please make note of the raise hand feature. Appointed Committee Members wishing to contribute to the discussion will be asked to raise their hand and then will be unmuted to speak. Public members will raise their hand and comment during the public comment section to provide input.
  • State Updates
    • Asantewaa Darkwaa reminded members that the CESSA deadline has been extended to July 01, 2025, and it's no longer required for RAC Chairs/Co-Chairs to be EMS Medical Directors.
    • Asantewaa Darkwaa noted that the May 2024 SAC meeting will be held in person (virtual link will be provided), though the location of this meeting has not yet been determined.
    • Asantewaa Darkwaa shared that they have met with Priority Dispatch and Power Phone to make recommendations regarding protocols and they are currently awaiting feedback responses. Asantewaa continued by sharing that they will be meeting with independents in early April 2024.
  • Future Meeting Dates (2024)
    • John Aguilar provided a list of meeting dates through the remainder of 2024:
      • Tuesday April 16th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday May 21st, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday June 18th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday July 16th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday August 20th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday September 17th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday October 15th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday November 19th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      • Tuesday December 17th, 2024 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Hyperlocal Regional Implementation Approach
    • John Aguilar reviewed the goals of the Hyperlocal Regional Implementation Approach and offered to support the formation of these groups within RAC 6, including but not limited to reaching out to stakeholders and developing processes.
    • Joey King inquired with both Melissa Pappas and Betsy Smith about current protocols within their respective areas, which prompted a recommendation for collaboration. Joey King also noted that he would make an attempt to reach out to other 590 providers to determine their protocols.
    • Melissa Pappas and Betsy Smith provided relevant feedback including but not limited to their willingness to reach out to their local committees, noting the necessity to merge all groups to address missing pieces.
  • Pilot PSAPS
    • John Aguilar stated that a pilot PSAP within RAC 6 has been located and mentioned that he will continue soliciting volunteers.
  • Training Plans - 911, 988, 590
    • John Aguilar requested feedback from RAC 6 members on the 911, 988, and 590 training plans.
    • Betsy Smith provided feedback related to the 911 training plans with recommendations to add a training plan on Veterans, and to also include the Understanding Youth Talk/Slang training area listed on the 988 training plan to the 911 training plan. Betsy expressed feeling as though the time allotment for Sexual Assault training appeared much shorter than expected to meet competency. Betsy provided the additional recommendation to create more balance between the Special Populations area trainings and the training area specific to call-taking dispatch. Betsy closed by seeking clarification on whether these trainings would be online courses.
  • Asantewaa Darkwaa clarified that these training will be provided online.
    • No additional feedback provided by any other RAC 6 members.
    • John Aguilar reminded members that the official feedback survey for these training plans is due for submission on Monday April 15th, 2024
    • John Aguilar provided an extension and requested that all RAC 6 members provide additional feedback via email by Monday April 8th, 2024 in order for these responses to be included in the official feedback survey submitted on Monday April 15th, 2024.
  • Next Steps
    • John Aguilar requested feedback from RAC 6 members on training plans be emailed to him by Monday April 8th, 2024.
    • John Aguilar stated that he will continue reaching out to other Power Phone PSAPS to locate additional pilots. John also reviewed the need to support the formation of hyperlocal groups by reaching out to stakeholders to ultimately formulate alternative responses for those requiring services.
    • Joey King stated that he would attempt contact with the 590 provider attached to the volunteer PSAP to further information gather. Joey also noted that his agency, LifeLinks, will attempt to form a hyperlocal group, and he is anticipating further collaboration from entities within the Champaign, IL area.
  • Questions from the Committee
    • None
  • Next meeting will be Tuesday April 16th, 2024 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Public Comment
    • None
  • Adjournment
    • John Aguilar called for the meeting to Adjourn at 3:05 PM without any opposition.