CESSA - Region 6 Committee Meeting Approved Minutes 11/18/2025

Time: 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Via Zoom

Welcome and Call to Order
- Meeting called to order at 2:31 pm by John Aguilar
- Chair and Co-Chair Introduction
Roll Call
- Attendees:
  - Via Zoom: John Aguilar, Joseph King, Brenda Hampton, Jessica Atassi, Lynn Canfield, Dustun Rhea, Dena Kidwell, Dustin Heuerman, Betsy Smith, Melissa Pappas
  - Absent: Ursulla Idleman, Jennifer Brown, Amy Marley, Megan Cambron
  - Public Attendees: Mikayla Gipp, Joe Kreul, Judy McNutt, Brittan Harris, Angela Catalano, Tim Meister, Mandy Brown, "bgabel"
Approval of Minutes
- Quorum met once membership was clarified.
State and Crisis Hub Updates
- Jessica Atassi informed members that Cohort 1 of implementation has begun, with 20 PSAPs identified to participate.
  - The first kickoff meeting for Cohort 1 was held in mid-October with both the PSAPs and the corresponding MCRTs. Since then, there have been two additional PSAP meetings - one for total response software and one for priority dispatch.
    - There was also an informational meeting for MCRTs that occurred that morning. The state also hosted 2 open Q&A sessions along with the Statewide 911 Administrator.
- Jessica Atassi informed members that most of the information has been delivered to the various entities. The state will be holding two additional meetings in early December for each protocol vender regarding data collection and reporting.
  - Training is also underway with PSAP and MCRT staff on a new learning management system software, so hopefully the user experience of the training has improved.
- There are a variety of factors at play in terms of when the PSAPs will each be starting to transfer calls, but the state will be keeping members updated on when that happens within our region.
- Brenda Hampton affirmed that the wave of cohorts coming into CESSA implementation is very deliberate. The statewide PSAP administrator will identify PSAPs based upon their knowledge of the PSAP, as well as their readiness and their completion of a survey.
CESSA Implementation (Pilot) Updates
- John Aguilar went over the PSAPs identified within the different regions that are participating in the first wave of Cohorts.
  - The PSAP from our region that will be participating in the first wave of Cohorts is Clay County
  - The PSAP from our region that was part of the pilot sites was Richland County
- Jen was unable to make it to this month's meeting, so John Aguilar provided updates. John informed members that they have been working through the implementation in Clay County.
- John Aguilar went over the process of getting spun up into the cohort and all the trainings required to take action.
  - Reminder to be aware, if you were to be chosen to be incorporated into cohort, how are you going to change or adapt your processes into implementing CESSA
- Brenda Hampton added that each quarter, a new cohort will be identified between 20 and 24 PSAPs so that by June 30, 2027, all PSAPs Statewide will be voted into Full CESSA Implementation

Subregional Committees (SRCs) Updates
- John Aguilar provided updates from Clay County's recent subregional committee meeting, informing members that they were able to get their MCRT to sit at the table. The hope is that they have had some fruitful discussion in preparation for participating in Cohort 1.
- John Aguilar went over the up-to-date list of subregional committees within the different regions to give members an idea of what is happening in different regions across the state.
- Needs Assessment
  - A worksheet to identify long-term and short-term goals. Helps guide the discussions at subregional committees, to see what is missing from our ability to roll out CESSA and evaluate needs.
    - The idea is to work on this throughout November and December, then be ready to present in Quarter 1.
  - Also, a great resource to use as a foundation as you're talking to first responder agencies and MCRTs to start asking questions and initiating the discussion, especially while anticipating getting called to participate in a cohort.
- Mandy Brown provided an update from Richland County's subregional committee. She states that it has been a challenge to get everyone together, but has had success with having their MCRT at the table. They have had good conversation regarding needs assessments. Mandy states it has been beneficial and that Richland County is doing what they can.
- Mandy Brown clarifies that Richland County is a rural area and that they have not had any 90-day transfers yet.
RAC 6 Membership Updates
- Brenda Hampton states she checked in with her staff this morning and does not understand the delay in getting membership approvals. Brenda apologizes for the delay, and states everything on her end has been sent forward.
- Joey King clarified that, with membership approvals still in pending, our RAC is currently at 13 members and quorum has been met for this meeting.
  - John Aguilar confirmed with Brenda Hampton that quorum has been met.
- John Aguilar also reminded members that he will be stepping down as co-chair at the end of the year, and that he is willing to support whomever transitions into his position to ensure a smooth transition.
- John and Joey have had some difficulties trying to secure someone to take the position, and encouraged any members interested in being a co-chair to reach out.
  - Trying to recruit through Behavioral Crisis Hub as well
Mandatory Trainings Reminder
- Annual trainings required by OMA to be a member
  - If assistance is needed, reach out to Barbara Hobrock at barbara.hobrock@illinois.gov
Questions from the Committee
- No questions from committee
Public Comment
- No public comment
Next Meeting Date
- Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 2:30p-4:00p
- Due to scheduling conflicts, the January meeting will be canceled until further notice.
  - If there are any important emails, it will be sent out via email.
Adjournment (Action Item)
- John Aguilar called to adjourn the meeting at 3:00 PM; this motion was approved by Joey King and seconded by Lynn Canfield.