Will County Board Member Vince Logan introduced a resolution to launch Will County CARES (Crisis Assistance & Response for Emotional Support) to tackle rising mental health challenges in the area. The initiative will offer no-cost, accessible mental health care to all 700,000 residents of Will County.
Logan presented the resolution to the Will County Public Health and Safety Committee on Thursday, September 4th. This new initiative will encompass a current program created by the Joliet Fire Department, Chief Jeff Carey and EMA Director John Lukancic. Presenting to the committee was Deputy Chief John Koch and EMA Director John Lukancic of the Department, who discussed the program and its success.
The program responds to the increasing mental health crisis, with recent data showing that one in five adults and one in six children face mental health issues. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34.
The program has received a $1.9 million grant from the State of Illinois, though funds are still pending. The county is exploring additional support through various unallocated funds.
“The true success will be measured by long-term impacts like reduced homelessness, substance abuse, and suicide,” said Logan. In its first 18 months, this Joliet program provided over 8,000 therapy sessions, cutting suicide rates by 50%.
This will be brought before the full county board on September 18 at 9:30 am in the county board meeting room.
Vince Logan is a current Will County Board member representing District 7, which covers Joliet, Plainfield, and Shorewood. He can be reached at 815-407-7171 or at the County Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, Il
