HB3698 EngrossedLRB103 28922 SPS 55308 b

1    AN ACT concerning health.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Mental Health and Developmental
5Disabilities Administrative Act is amended by adding Section
618.9 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 1705/18.9 new)
8    Sec. 18.9. Cultural Empowerment Program.
9    (a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall create
10the Cultural Empowerment Program, which shall make
11grants-in-aid to one or more community providers to provide
12outreach, engagement, training, and support to faith-based
13organizations serving communities that are underserved by
14mental and behavioral health resources. The Department shall
15provide a list of ZIP codes identifying the targeted
16communities.
17    (b) Grantees under the program shall utilize all available
18resources to provide initial relationship building within
19community areas by delivering training to faith-based
20leadership and providing connection through personal stories
21from persons with lived expertise to the leadership of faith
22communities or their congregations. Grantees shall provide
23information about the Certified Recovery Support Specialist

 

 

HB3698 Engrossed- 2 -LRB103 28922 SPS 55308 b

1(CRSS) credential to interested individuals.
2    (c) Grantees shall build relationships with local
3community mental health centers (CMHCs) and other behavioral
4health providers to help facilitate linkage to mental health
5services for people in targeted communities. Grantees shall
6ensure that consumers in the program experience a warm handoff
7between the grantee and the CMHC or other service provider,
8and to the greatest possible extent, shall assist consumers in
9navigating or bypassing wait lists and other barriers to
10accessing care. Grantees shall use their relationships with
11CMHCs and service providers to support expansion of services
12when needed and where possible.
13    (d) Grantees under the program shall utilize their
14expertise to build relationships with faith-based communities
15in the targeted communities and ensure that those
16organizations are aware of the behavioral health resources
17available. Grantees shall support faith-based communities in
18advocating for community members who are affected by
19behavioral health conditions to access mental health treatment
20and recovery services that shall assist them in living healthy
21and productive lives.
22    (e) The Department shall prioritize organizations that are
23existing trusted messengers within targeted communities in
24awarding funding under the program.
25    (f) The Cultural Empowerment Program established by this
26Section shall begin operations no later than July 1, 2024.