Record #: R2018-1398   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 12/12/2018 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Health and Environmental Protection
Final action: 1/23/2019
Title: Call for creation of Public Mental Health Clinic Service Expansion Task Force to explore re-opening of mental health clinics and identify budgetary and operational recommendations for expansion of existing facilities
Sponsors: King, Sophia D., Villegas, Gilbert, Dowell, Pat, Ervin, Jason C., Taliaferro, Chris, Scott, Jr. Michael, Hairston, Leslie A., Sawyer, Roderick T., Harris, Michelle A., Brookins, Jr., Howard, Lopez, Raymond A., Osterman, Harry, Moore, David H., Curtis, Derrick G., Foulkes, Toni, Cappleman, James, Laurino, Margaret, Thompson, Patrick D., Quinn, Marty, Reilly, Brendan, Santiago, Milagros, Moore, Joseph, Cardenas, George A., Pawar, Ameya, Smith, Michele, Beale, Anthony, Willie B. Cochran, Silverstein, Debra L., Sposato, Nicholas, Tunney, Thomas, Mell, Deborah, Munoz, Ricardo, O'Connor, Patrick, Arena, John, O'Shea, Matthew J., Solis, Daniel, Mitts, Emma, Maldonado, Roberto, Napolitano, Anthony V., Austin, Carrie M., Waguespack, Scott, Burnett, Jr., Walter, Reboyras, Ariel, Tabares, Silvana, Moreno, Proco Joe, Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2018-1398.pdf

Reboyras (30) Tabares (23) Moreno (1) Burke (14)

Type: Resolution

Title:                     Call for creation of Public Mental Health Clinic Service

Expansion Task Force to determine which community areas in need for re-opening of mental health clinics and identifying budgetary and operational recommendations for expansion of existing facilities and a third-party research entity to conduct study

Committee(s) Assignment:                     Committee on Health and Environmental Protection

 

Public Mental Health Clinic Service Expansion Resolution

WHEREAS, since 2012 the City of Chicago closed six mental health clinics and outsourced one clinic, leaving large areas of the city without adequate access to affordable safety-net mental health services; and

WHEREAS, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) currently operates five community mental health clinics, the majority of which are located in underserved areas that have a high rate of mental health 911 calls; and

WHEREAS, CDPH has indicated that these clinics have the capacity to serve more clients, but are underutilized due in large measure to budgetary and management issues including inadequate staffing, unwelcoming and deteriorating physical conditions and insufficient community outreach; and

WHEREAS, individuals with mental illness who do not receive appropriate treatment and support can become entangled in the criminal justice system resulting in the need for police intervention; and

WHEREAS, individuals with untreated mental illness constitute one-third of the homeless population in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, untreated mental illness is associated with higher rates of suicide, physical illness, family instability, and as such has a ripple effect upon the entire community; and

 

WHEREAS, an analysis done by WBEZ radio revealed that some of the police districts which receive the most mental health 911 calls are also the districts with the fewest mental health services; and

 

WHEREAS, several community areas in Chicago have passed referenda to fund new mental health clinics which may alleviate the service gaps in some areas formerly served by City of Chicago mental health clinics and which creates a need for a comprehensive assessment to identify areas of greatest need for new and/or expanded services; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:

SECTION 1. There is hereby established an advisory task force entitled the Public Mental Health Clinic Service Expansion Task Force, the members of which shall be appointed by the Chair of the Committee on Health and Environmental Protection within 30 days of passage. The members of this task force shall include two aldermen from wards which contained one of the six mental health clinics closed in 2012, two designees of the Chicago Department of Health, two designees of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council 31, and two designees of the Chicago Community Mental Health.Board.

SECTION 2. The task force shall (1) draft a request for proposal for a comprehensive study to determine which community areas shall be prioritized for re-opening mental health clinics and identifying budgetary , and operational recommendations for expanding and improving services at existing facilities; and (2) shall select a third-party research entity to conduct the study.

SECTION 3. The Chair of the Committee on Health and Environmental Protection shall, within 45 days of passage, schedule a public hearing to receive public comment from the community on the question of identifying geographic and service areas of greatest need for expanded mental health services.

 

 

 

SECTION 4. Based upon the findings of the study and public conrmepl^feceived, the task force shall report recommendations for action to the Committee on Health arid'Environrpental Protection and the

Committee on Budget and Gi

vernmeptal Operations within 180fdays of passage. V

 

 

 

 

 

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SECTION 4. Based upon the findings of the study and public comments received, the task force shall report recommendations for action to the Committee on Health and Environmental Protection and the Committee on Budget and Governmental Operations within 180 days of passage/

 

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