The Lake County Sheriff’s multi-agency Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COaST) has received the 2024 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) and secured a $250,000 grant from an area Illinois State Senator.
Launched in 1970, the NACo award is designed to celebrate innovation in county government and honors innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents, authorities said.
“We are thrilled NACo recognized the innovation and importance of our multi-agency COaST program! Additionally, the funds secured by Senator Johnson will greatly improve our ability to aid those in mental crisis,” Idleburg said. “Our COaST program was one of the first in the nation, and we are so incredibly proud of its success. We have been able to provide services to thousands of Lake County residents since the program’s inception.”
Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson, a Democrat from Buffalo Grove, secured a $250,000.00 operational grant for COaST which can be used for general operational expenses, staffing, capacity building, and equipment, authorities said.
The grant is a line item in the Illinois FY25 budget passed June 5, 2024.
“I support the award-winning Lake County COaST program because it aligns with one of my top priorities: ensuring the safety of residents who are struggling with mental health issues that require intervention and treatment instead of punishment, ” Johnson said. “Sheriff John Idleburg and his dynamic team, along with several police chiefs from Lake County proactively implemented the COaST program to provide training, resources and tools to properly and safely respond to calls involving mental health concerns. I will continue supporting effective and compassionate programs that prioritize people and safety.”
The multi-agency component of COaST became operational in January of 2022 and consists of members from the Gurnee Police Department, Lake Forest Police Department, Libertyville Police Department, Lincolnshire Police Department, Mundelein Police Department, Vernon Hills Police Department, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said.
A police officer from these local agencies and a sheriff’s office deputy 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 has responded to dozens of mental health calls in progress, officials said, allowing trained professionals to deploy at the scene, spend as much time as necessary with the person in crisis, and let the first-responding deputies/police officers to return to emergency calls for service.
Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide, authorities said. These categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement, and more.
“The Achievement Awards recognize excellence in county government and effective public service,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “This year’s winners have delivered results for our residents and demonstrated innovative efforts to strengthen our communities.”
COaST is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Safety and Justice Challenge in partnership with the Livingroom Wellness Center.
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