RAMP NAMI Northern Illinois and Access Living are partnering together supported by funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board to bring our community this training ![]()
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CESSA: Community Emergency Services and Supports Act ![]()
Monday, August 15 | 1PM![]()
Virtual, Zoom![]()
Christopher Huff, Candace Coleman, & Charlie Petrof, Access Living![]()
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On August 25, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA), also known as the Stephon Watts Act. The idea behind the new legislation is to require emergency response operators such as those at 911 centers, to refer calls seeking mental and behavioral health support to the State's 988 number that will partner with mobile mental health response units (unless there is ongoing criminal activity or a threat of violence) which can dispatch a team of mental health professionals instead of police.![]()
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CESSA permits co-responder models only when there is violence or criminal activity. CESSA does not distinguish between types of police responders, similarly prohibiting CIT trained police or police operating in co-responder units. CESSA prohibits all such responses subject to two significant exceptions:![]()
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1. CESSA allows police to respond to any situation where there is a suspected violation of criminal law or a threat to personal safety. In such situations, CESSA does not address how police may respond, and, as appropriate, in these situations dispatchers may deploy CIT trained officers or officers operating with co-responders. This exception still provides these responders with a necessary and significant role in the emergency response system.![]()
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2. CESSA recognizes that unanticipated emergencies may result in the inability of 988 to provide non-police assistance in an appropriate amount of time. Each EMS Region Committee will set their local standards for response times. If 988 cannot meet those response times, police, ideally through CIT trained officers or with co-responders, may then respond to those calls for assistance.![]()
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Meet the individuals behind passing this bill, ask questions, and learn:![]()
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- What is CESSA? ![]()
- What to expect?![]()
- How stay informed? ![]()
- What advocacy is still needed?![]()
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Register in advance for this webinar:![]()
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VfYMXHW9SZKrEkjBDce-FA![]()
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.![]()
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This webinar will include an ASL interpreter. If you need any accommodations to participate, please contact our office at 815-963-2470.![]()
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RAMP is proud to be a part of this awesome collaborative happening tonight from 4-7!![]()
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Attention University Village Residents in DeKalb!![]()
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Come meet the University Village Collaborative, pick up school supplies, get a haircut, and visit the food pantry!![]()
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* In and Out Cuts, LLC is coming for youth haircuts!![]()
* Family Service Agency will provide school supplies for elementary, middle, and high school students including backpacks, writing supplies, and more!![]()
* DeKalb County Health Department will be there with at-home COVID-19 tests!![]()
* Unitarian Universalist Church is bringing hygiene products!![]()
* DeKalb County Community Gardens will have snack boxes for families! ![]()
* Over a dozen non-profit and government agencies will be present!![]()
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Image description: 3 females sitting and smiling at a ramp table passing out headphones, notebooks, and loose leaf paper for the upcoming school year. Table has RAMP information on it.
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Happening at our DeKalb office location on August 11th from 12-4pm! Come in for a FREE hearing test and try out the FREE amplified phones! Make sure to bring your ID and a copy of your landline bill (no bill needed if you’re choosing a cell phone amplifier)![]()
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Hope to see you there!
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