The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) is pleased to announce approval of a competitive grant award from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. The grant project titled “Assisted Outpatient Treatment: A Pathway to Community Care” allocates up to $2,915,393 over 4 years. 

The AOIC and several justice partners will use the funds to operationalize a replicable and effective structure to increase the utilization of statutorily-created civil outpatient pathways to mental health care, also referred to as Assisted Outpatient Treatment, in Cook and McLean Counties. This form of civil commitment authorizes the judicial system to commit eligible individuals with severe psychiatric disorders to mental health intervention in the community to improve the health, safety and welfare of both individuals and the public. 

“The AOIC is proud of this achievement and honored to receive its first ever SAMHSA funding award,” said Marcia M. Meis, AOIC Director. “I would like to thank the Illinois Supreme Court Special Advisory Committee for Justice and Mental Health Planning, State Court Behavioral Health Administrator, Grants Manager, Administrative Services Division, and several justice partners for their leadership in developing a competitive application and project model. The grant project is well aligned with the Illinois Courts’ Mental Health Action Plan and will help further efforts to improve the courts’ response to individuals living with serious mental illness.” 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.