Strategic Plan Implementation

Here is a brief list of the current on-going efforts that are helping the Illinois Children’s Mental Health System serve more children at younger ages and in earlier stages of need for treatment:

• Increasing investment in children’s mental health by successfully advocating for new state funds to support key Strategic Plan Priorities, and securing private, public, and in-kind funds and services from Illinois state agencies, corporations, and foundations to further the work of the Partnership.
• Engaging schools in implementation of the Social Emotional Learning Standards in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) through the SEL Professional Development Project, and through grants to school districts.
• Conducting a statewide public awareness campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illness, and raise awareness of the importance of children’s social and emotional development. This collaboration with the Division of Mental Health (DMH) includes a website that will provide information on mental health and well-being to policymakers, health and mental health providers, educators, family members, consumers, and the general public.
• Increasing the capacity of school districts to identify and meet the early intervention needs of students in natural settings, and in coordination with existing mental health support programs through Mental Health Support Grants provided in collaboration with ISBE.
• Expanding mental health services for children age 0-5 through the Early Childhood Grants, in partnership with DMH within the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Improving the capacity of community mental health agencies to address the needs of children ages 0-7 through implementation of an innovative Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Project. This Project is one of the first of its kind in the nation.
• Expanding specialized social and emotional support services for children and youth with mental health needs, such as children and youth who have suffered from trauma, youth transitioning from the Department of Corrections back into the community, and youth ages 16-18 transitioning from the child and adolescent mental health services system into the adult mental health services system, in collaboration with DMH and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
• Strengthening the capacity of community mental health agencies throughout the state to utilize evidence-informed practices in their children’s mental health service system through Evidence-Based Practice grants provided by DMH.
• Promoting parent/caregiver leadership and support in the children’s mental health system through development of a regional support network that helps parents and caregivers recognize and understand their children’s mental health needs, navigate the complexities of the CMH system, and serve as leaders in the local, regional and state-wide children’s mental health system.
• Expanding the number of Illinois schools implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a prevention-based approach using data-based decision-making to promote positive behaviors in schools.