The COVID-19 pandemic stretched many of our physical and mental health resources to the limits, but it also allowed the justice system to innovate in tremendous ways. One of those was the appointment of Scott A. Block as the first AOIC Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator.

As the AOIC’s Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator, Block serves as the Illinois Judicial Branch’s dedicated voice and resource, committed to furthering local, state, and national behavioral health and justice initiatives as they affect the courts. In this capacity, he acts as the project director for the Illinois Mental Health Task Force, provides behavioral health related administrative support to the Illinois Supreme Court, and acts as liaison to state and national behavioral health and justice affiliates and organizations. 

Previously, Block was Director of the Office of Special Projects for the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Court of McHenry County, Illinois, where he provided quality control and compliance oversight of the court’s Psychological/Forensic evaluations contract and planned, designed, implemented, and led daily Problem-Solving Court operations. Notably, the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Court’s Mental Health Court and Adult Drug Court programs were subsequently awarded AOIC Certification, and the Adult Drug Court is recognized by the National Drug Court Institute with “Mentor Court” status. 

While working within Problem-Solving Courts, Block served as the President of the Mental Health Court Association of Illinois and Vice President of the Illinois Association of Drug Court Professionals. He assisted in the merger of the associations and subsequent establishment of the Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts, where he served as Vice President and Conference Committee Chair.

He is also an adjunct professor at Aurora University in the School of Social Work, with a focus on substance use disorder and addictions.
Block holds a master’s degree in counseling, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor, a Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional, and a National Center for State Court’s Certified Court Manager. 

He can be contacted at sblock@illinoiscourts.gov.