CESSA - Training and Education Subcommittee Meeting - Approved Minutes 08/26/2025

CESSA - Training and Education Subcommittee Meeting - Approved Minutes 08/26/2025

Time: 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Opening

  • Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Chair, reviewed the OMA procedures, meeting logistics, and agenda.

Roll Call

  • Present:
    • Cindy Barbera-Brelle
    • Danielle Albinger (Designee for Robert "Bobby" Van Bebber)
    • Michelle Churchey-Mims (Designee for Blanca Campos)
    • Jessica Gimeno (Designee for Candace Coleman)
    • Tanya Thorne (Designee for David Albert)
  • Absent:
    • Rachael Ahart
    • Emily Miller
  • Meeting quorum established. The meeting was led by Chair Cindy Barbara-Brelle and began at 10:33 am.

Approval of Minutes from July 22, 2025:

  • Michelle Churchy-Mims motioned to approve the minutes from July 22, 2025. Jessica Gimeno seconded the motion.
  • Members voted to approve: Danielle Albinger (Designee for Robert "Bobby" Van Bebber), Michelle Churchey-Mims (Designee for Blanca Campos), Jessica Gimeno (Designee for Candace Coleman), Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Tanya Thorne (Designee for David Albert)
  • Motion carried.

Old Business: Pilot Core Training Updates

Pilot Evaluation Discussions (Cindy Barbere-Brelle)

  • We are talking to the PSAP pilot sites about the pilot training. Questions included whether more training was needed or what changes would be helpful.
  • We heard from pilots that they want the de-escalation training to be more focused on the PSAP perspective.
  • We will include the training feedback as one aspect of the pilot evaluation report.
  • Feedback generally wanted more scenarios.

Pilot Training Updates

  • As of August 22, 2025,
    • 1,842 unduplicated individuals have completed the pilot training
    • 6,997 pilot training courses offered
    • 27 individuals have requested exemptions, and 22 have received exemptions
  • APCO pilot sites are almost done with their training courses.
  • We will report on the percentage of individuals who have completed the trainings by agency type (PSAPs, MCRTs, and 988) in the FY26 Quarter 2.
  • Our numbers are continuously growing.
  • The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) course is no longer offered by the Department of Health and Human Services. We will look into making our own course that meets this requirement or whether they will open up the course again.

Discussion

  • Cindy Barbera-Brelle: Who is the "other" listed in the chart?
    • Terry Solomon: Individuals who did not answer the question, or who may be in a different role, such as a supervisor.
  • Michelle Churchey-Mims: Do we know the total number of people who could be taking the training?
    • Terry Solomon: We will provide that information. I want to go back to the agencies and request they send us numbers regarding their staff since there may be changes.
    • Cindy Barbera-Brelle: There are over 3,000 telecommunicators. But at this juncture, only the pilot PSAPs have done the pilot training, not been opened to other PSAPs. We have had several discussions about what the rollout looks like for the rest of the state. Once we determine that, we will give the PSAP 60 days. So, the numbers of PSAPs trained in each course will rise from 600 or 700 to 3,000.
  • Michelle Churchey-Mims: Thanks. I was curious about staffing capacity and whether there has been feedback about any barriers.
    • Terry Solomon: We have heard feedback about technical issues if staff using the same computer. We resolved that by informing the staff to clear their history from the browser.

New Business:

New Content Required by CESSA Amendment (Public Act 104-0155) (Dr. Terry Solomon)

  • The new legislation requires new additions to training:
    • Section 25. (d) Require appropriate Mobile Mental Health Relief Providers Training. Mobile Mental Health Relief Providers must have adequate training to address the needs of individuals experiencing a mental or behavioral health emergency. Adequate training at least includes:

(4) training in recognizing and working with people with neurodivergent and developmental disability diagnoses and in the techniques available to help stabilize and connect them to further services;

(5) training in the involuntary commitment process, in the identification of situations that meet the standards for involuntary commitment, and in cultural competencies and social biases to guard against any group being disproportionately subjected to the involuntary commitment process or the use of the process not warranted under the legal standard for involuntary commitment. 

  • What topics or subject matter would you like us to include? Who should we consider providing the training?
    • Michelle Churchey-Mims: For the involuntary commitment, based on some of the pieces of information from the federal government, based on who should be involuntarily committed, which is not on the same vein as Illinois, are there any concerns that we have language about that?
    • Terry Solomon: Our approach in Illinois has been to be respectful and recognize the humanity of individuals. So, we know how to work through the legal processes to respect the rights of individuals.
    • Tanya Thorne: I agree with you, Terry. After the federal government made its announcements, the Governor said that the processes for involuntary commitment in Illinois will not change. We will follow Illinois' guidance since our providers are in Illinois.
  • Terry Solomon: We will also make sure all the provider types are trained in the new courses as well.
  • Amanda Lake [in chat]: SME's with lived experience for ASD/DD- The Superhero Center for Autism

Meeting Calendar (Cindy Barbera-Brelle)

  • Next meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2025, but needs to be rescheduled.
  • Cindy Barbera-Brelle suggested canceling the September 23 meeting and having the subcommittee members make a commitment to provide guidance and suggestions for meeting the requirements of the new trainings in the legislation. The Crisis Hub can email out the information about the new legislation.

Motion

  • Jessica Gimeno motioned to cancel the September 23 meeting and to have the Subcommittee members provide feedback over email. Michelle Churchey-Mims seconded.
  • Members voted to approve: Danielle Albinger (Designee for Robert "Bobby" Van Bebber), Michelle Churchey-Mims (Designee for Blanca Campos), Jessica Gimeno (Designee for Candace Coleman), Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Tanya Thorne (Designee for David Albert)
  • Motion carried. The September 23 meeting has been cancelled.

Public Comment

· No hands raised.

Adjournment

  • Michelle Churchey-Mims motioned to adjourn the meeting. Danielle Albinger seconded the motion.
  • Members voted to approve: Danielle Albinger (Designee for Robert "Bobby" Van Bebber), Michelle Churchey-Mims (Designee for Blanca Campos), Jessica Gimeno (Designee for Candace Coleman), Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Tanya Thorne (Designee for David Albert)
  • Motion carried.
  • Meeting adjourned at 11:05 am.