CESSA - Training and Education Subcommittee Meeting - Approved Minutes 06/24/2025

CESSA - Training and Education Subcommittee Meeting - Approved Minutes 06/24/2025

Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Opening

  • The meeting was led by Co-Chair Jessica Gimeno and began at 10:33 am.
  • Jessica reviewed the OMA procedures, meeting logistics, and agenda.

Roll Call

  • Present:
    • Jessica Gimeno (Designee for Candace Coleman)
    • Michelle Churchey-Mims (Designee for Blanca Campos)
    • Tanya Thorne (Designee for David Albert)
  • Absent:
    • Rachael Ahart
    • Danielle Albinger (Designee for Robert "Bobby" Van Bebber)
    • Cindy Barbera-Brelle
    • Emily Miller
  • The meeting did not have a quorum.

Approval of Minutes from April 22, 2025: Postponed due to lack of quorum

Old Business (Dr. Terry Solomon)

Pilot Core Training Updates

  • Dr. Solomon read the existing CESSA legislation and informed the committee that there is a pending amendment awaiting the Governor's signature. If signed, the required trainings would be revised.
  • As of June 5, 2025, 4,900 people have taken training courses
  • By August 2025, we will report on the percentage of training courses completed by agency type (911, 988, and mobile crisis response team staff)
  • Dr. Solomon provided the cumulative number of participants attending each pilot training as of June 5, 2025.
    • Illinois Emergency Crisis System and CESSA (Total Response and PowerPhone): 1,283
    • National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS): 507
    • The Power and Importance of Language: 574
    • Respectful Interactions and Working with Individuals who have Developmental Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder Experiencing a Mental Health a Crisis: 597
    • Respectful Interactions and Working with Individuals Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis and/or Substance Use Challenges: 570
    • Developing Positive Community Relationships to Impact Mental Health Crisis and Prevent Suicide: 574
    • Verbal De-escalation Skills for Telecommunicators: 31

Proposed Revisions to the Core Training Plan Policies

  • The committee has reviewed proposed policies in the last several meetings. The policies were modified based on feedback from the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and the Statewide 911 Administrator. Dr. Solomon thanked the members and expert consultants for their work on the policies.
  • Proposed Training Plan policies for 911
    • Per the CESSA statute, the Statewide 911 Administrator's office requires telecommunicators and supervisors to complete the CESSA Core Training.
    • 911 Telecommunicators' CESSA Core Training will ultimately be embedded in the Telecommunicator/Telecommunicator Supervisor training curriculum.
    • Telecommunicators currently employed will have 60 days to complete CESSA Core training after being notified by the 911 State Administrator and the Behavioral Health Crisis Hub to initiate training to prepare for CESSA implementation. These staff members may continue to take calls according to existing agency policies and procedures while completing CESSA Core training.
    • For example, if existing telecommunicators at a PSAP are instructed to take the CESSA Core training on September 1, 2025, then the CESSA Core training courses must be completed by existing telecommunicators by October 31, 2025.
    • 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 take calls independently for transfer to 988 until they complete the CESSA Core Training Courses. However, new staff may answer calls under their CTO or Supervisor's direct, real-time, in-person supervision before completing the CESSA Core Training Courses.
    • PSAPs cannot participate in CESSA implementation (i.e., transferring behavioral health crisis calls from 911 to 988 for crisis counseling or referral for a mobile crisis response) until all telecommunicators and supervisors complete CESSA Core Training Courses.
  • Proposed Training Plan policies for 988
    • Per the CESSA statute, the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health requires CESSA Core training for 988 staff.
    • Staff currently employed by 988 LCCs will have 60 days to complete CESSA Core training after being notified by the Behavioral Health Crisis Hub to initiate Core training in preparation for CESSA implementation. These staff members may continue responding to calls according to agency policy and procedures. If current staff are reassigned to work on CESSA implementation, CESSA Core training must be completed before they can receive CESSA-related calls from 911.
    • For example, if staff at a 988 LCC are instructed to take the CESSA Core training on September 1, 2025, then CESSA Core training courses must be completed by October 31, 2025.
    • New 988 staff onboarding after the CESSA training plan is in effect are required to complete the CESSA Core Training Courses before independently responding to crisis calls, texts, or chats from 911. CESSA Core Training Courses must be completed within 60 days of the start date of employment.
    • All crisis counselors and supervisors at 988 LCCs are required to complete CESSA Core Training Courses.
  • Proposed Training Plan policies for MCRT
    • Per the CESSA statute, the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health requires CESSA Core training for mobile crisis response team (MCRT) staff.
    • Existing staff currently part of the agency's MCRT will have 60 days to complete CESSA Core training after being notified by the Behavioral Health Crisis Hub to initiate Core training for CESSA implementation. While completing the Core training, these staff members may continue to respond to calls according to existing agency policies and procedures.
    • For example, if staff at an MCRT are instructed to take the CESSA Core training on September 1, 2025, then CESSA Core training courses must be completed by October 31, 2025.
    • New MCRT staff onboarding after the CESSA training plan is in effect are required to complete CESSA Core Training Courses before responding to crisis calls (both on the phone and in the field). CESSA Core Training Courses must be completed within 60 days of the start date of employment.
    • MCRTs cannot participate in CESSA implementation (i.e., responding to 911 calls referred by 988) until all members of the MCRT complete CESSA Core Training Courses.

Meeting Calendar (Jessica Gimeno)

  • Members agreed to meet on July 22, 2025. At that meeting, members can request a vote to implement a new meeting calendar for FY26.
  • Sarah Ferguson will send a tentative calendar hold so members can hold the date for the proposed meeting dates.

Public Comment: No hands raised.

Adjournment: Meeting ended at 11:04 am.