CESSA Technical Subcommittee for Training and Education
April 22, 2025, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Meeting Minutes
Via Zoom
The meeting was called to order by Cindy Barbera-Brelle at 10:31 a.m., who reviewed the OMA procedures, meeting logistics, and agenda.
Roll Call
- Present: Michelle Churchey-Mims (Designee for Blanca Campos), Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Jessica Gimeno (Designee for Candace Coleman), Tanya Thorne (Designee for David Albert)
- Absent: Emily Miller, Rachael Ahart and Danielle Albinger (Designee for Robert "Bobby" Van Bebber).
- Note: Albinger was not counted as present at roll call or vote because she could not unmute on her device. She rejoined the meeting and was able to unmute.
Motion to Approve Minutes from March 25, 2025 (Action item)
- Jessica Gimeno moved to approve the minutes; Michelle Churchey-Mims seconded the motion.
- Approved by: Michelle Churchey-Mims, Jessica Gimeno, Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Tanya Thorne
- Motion passes.
Old Business: Pilot Core Training Updates (Dr. Terry Solomon)
- Dr. Solomon reviewed the training requirements in the CESSA legislation, and the core courses approved by the TETSC.
- As of April 15, 2025,
- 828 unduplicated individuals have completed the pilot training
- 3,956 people have taken pilot training courses
- 27 individuals have requested exemptions, and 22 have received exemptions
- Dr. Solomon reviewed the cumulative number of participants who attended each pilot training as of April 15, 2025, by course. This slide shows that the number of participants has steadily increased over time.
- The next slide gave more detail about number of individuals who completed core courses by agency type.
- 911 Revised De-escalation Training Plan (Dr. Terry Solomon)
- Dr. Solomon anticipates distributing the revised training by mid-May to allow PSAPs to retake the training.
- The initial training will be virtual and available on demand by May 30th.
- Dr. Solomon will work with the trainer who is developing the course to ensure the content meets the needs of the PSAPs in the pilots. Dr. Solomon will invite the Committee's PSAP expert consultant, the Statewide 911 Administrator, and a PSAP representative to review a draft of the training before implementation.
New Business: Proposed Revisions to the Core Training Plan Policies (Cindy Barbera-Brelle)
- We anticipate completing the pilot evaluation and Illinois Risk Level Matrix revisions in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026. These dates are subject to change.
- After the pilot evaluation is completed and evaluated, the training plan policies below will be implemented. This applies to each section below.
Proposed Policies for 911 PSAP Telecommunicators
- Existing telecommunicators and supervisors will have 60 days before the CESSA protocols are implemented to complete the CESSA Core Training Courses. During this time, existing staff may continue to take calls according to existing agency policies and procedures
- Most systems will not have an issue with the 60-day deadline. If a system needs more time, that's something we can negotiate.
- New telecommunicators and supervisors onboarding after the CESSA protocols are in effect must complete the CESSA Core Training Courses before answering calls independently. New staff are not eligible to be counted until they complete the CESSA Core Training Courses. New staff may answer calls under their CTO or Supervisor's direct, real-time, in-person supervision before completion of the CESSA Core Training Courses.
- PSAPs cannot participate in CESSA implementation (transferring calls from 911 to 988 and 988 to MCRT) until all telecommunicators and supervisors complete the CESSA Core Training Courses.
- The Statewide 911 Administrator's office requires the CESSA Core Training.
- The 911 Telecommunicators' CESSA Core Training will be embedded in the Telecommunicator/Telecommunicator Supervisor training curriculum.
Proposed Policies for Mobile Crisis Response Teams
- Existing staff will have 60 days before training is assigned to complete the CESSA Core Training Courses. During this time, existing staff may continue to respond to calls according to existing agency policies and procedures.
- New staff onboarding after the training plan is in effect must complete the CESSA Core Training Courses before responding to crisis calls (both on the phone and in the field). The CESSA Core Training Courses must be completed within 60 days of the start date.
- MCRTs cannot participate in CESSA implementation (with calls transferred from 911 to 988 to MCRT) until all members of the MCRT complete the CESSA Core Training Courses.
Proposed Policies for 988 Crisis Counselors
- All crisis counselors and supervisors at 988 Lifeline Crisis Centers (LCCs) are required to complete CESSA Core Training Courses.
- Existing staff will have 60 days from the assigned training date to complete the CESSA Core Training Courses. Existing staff may continue to respond to calls according to existing agency policy and procedures during this time.
- For example, if a 988 LCC gets assigned to the CESSA Core training on September 1, 2025, the training courses are due by October 31, 2025.
- New staff onboarding after the training plan is in effect are required to complete the CESSA Core Training Courses before independently responding to crisis calls, texts, or chats. The CESSA Core Training Courses must also be completed within 60 days of the start date of employment.
Discussion
- Cindy Barbera-Brelle: The intention is to vote on this at the next meeting.
- Michelle Churchey-Mims: Having everything aligned with the same time frames makes it much easier. It seems clear and straightforward.
Meeting Calendar
- Tuesday, May 27, 10:30 am -12 pm
- Tuesday, June 24, 10:30 am -12 pm
Public Comment: No hands raised.
Adjournment (Action item)
- Jessica Gimeno moved to adjourn the meeting. Michelle Churchey-Mims seconded.
- Approved by: Danielle Albinger, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Jessica Gimeno, Cindy Barbera-Brelle, and Tanya Thorne.
- Motion approved. Meeting adjourned at 11:02 am.
