Multi-Agency Crisis Outreach and Support Team Hits Major Milestone

This October, since the inception of the program in 2018, COaST marked the 5,000th referral to the program stemming from law enforcement mental health related calls for service.

The team initially began with only the sheriff’s office, but became a multi-agency team in January of 2022. The team consists of members from Gurnee Police Department, Lake Forest Police Department, Libertyville Police Department, Lincolnshire Police Department, Mundelein Police Department, Vernon Hills Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Independence Center, Living Room Wellness Center. A police officer from one of the local agencies and a sheriff’s deputy from the sheriff’s office partner with a social worker, clinician, or peer specialist to respond to mental health related calls.

Since the inception of the multi-agency team, COaST responded to dozens of mental health calls in progress. This allowed trained professionals to deploy at the scene, spend as much time as necessary with the person in crisis, and allow the first-responding deputies/police officers to return to emergency calls for service.

When a sheriff’s deputy or police officer of a member agency respond to a call, where the officer/deputy on-scene believes someone could benefit from the services of COaST, they submit a referral to COaST. When COaST is not responding to mental health calls in progress, they follow-up with the law enforcement referrals by contacting the person, in an effort to offer and provide services.

Since the program’s inception, COaST has been able to make successful connections and offer services to over 3,700 people, or 74% of those referred.

A strategic goal set by COaST membership is to grow the program beyond the seven partner agencies, ensuring all demographics are represented countywide. Recently, Sheriff Idleburg collaborated with county administration leadership to reallocate a vacant sheriff’s office position into a mobile crisis responder position, to continue growing the team.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Over the last five years, we have drastically changed the way we respond to mental health crisis calls and the results we have seen from this collaboration are nothing short of incredible and inspiring. This team is making a tremendously positive impact on the community. We are grateful for the alliance with our law enforcement partner agencies, the Living Room Wellness Center, and MacArthur Foundation.”

Lincolnshire Chief of Police Joseph Leonas said, “One of the biggest benefits from COaST we have seen firsthand was the positive impact on the families of those individuals in crisis. Today, the COaSt team has been able to provide significant support and services to parents, children, and other family members impacted by the crisis. We make sure that family members don’t feel overwhelmed or forgotten about as we address the needs of their loved one. These situations are unique challenges that families face every day, and we never want to forget about the inevitable and profound ripple effects these events have on everyone.”

Vernon Hills Chief of Police Patrick Kreis said, “Vernon Hills Police Officers rely on our partnership with COAST to provide an invaluable resource in assisting community members. We are hopeful that continued collective success leads to expansion of this service.”

Gurnee Chief of Police Brian Smith said, “The Gurnee Police Department is profoundly honored, and humbled to have been a part of the COaST program since its inception nearly two years ago. The positive impact made within our communities has been highlighted through professional interactions with individuals and families in crisis. Our participation with COaST has allowed us to provide access to valuable resources available throughout Lake County. As we reflect on this accomplishment, we are more determined than ever to continue our participation in the program, extending our commitment to the well-being of our community members.”

COaST is supported in part by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Safety and Justice Challenge.