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Peoria accepts $2.88 million state grant to continue co‑responder social‑services team; extends Carle MOU
Summary
The council accepted a $2,876,250 Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) grant to continue the Peoria co‑responder social‑services unit, adopted a budget amendment and approved a one‑year extension of the Carle Health memorandum of understanding for $1,134,095 to operate the unit.
Peoria — The City Council voted to accept a state co‑responder grant of $2,876,250 and to adopt the necessary budget amendment to continue the co‑responder social‑services unit that works alongside Peoria Police to connect people to mental‑health care, short‑term shelter and other supports.
Why it matters: The co‑responder unit pairs trained behavioral‑health staff with police referrals to reduce harm, provide short‑term crisis support and link victims and other clients to follow‑up services. The program is funded by annual ICJIA awards; the council approved a one‑year extension of the memorandum of understanding with Carle Health (Trillium Place) for $1,134,095 to operate the unit.
What council approved: The council took three separate actions: accept the ICJIA grant ($2,876,250), adopt an ordinance amending the 2025 budget to recognize the grant receipt, and approve a one‑year extension of the MOU with Carle Health for $1,134,095 to provide staff and operations. The council voted unanimously on all three items.
Program activity and results: Trillium Place staff reported the unit responded to 101 calls for service in the past year and connected 78 victims to follow‑up services after initial contact. The team said 67 individual clients received services and 52 cases received grief counseling or social‑emotional support. Staff also reported 87 trainings attended by the unit and 37 community engagement events during the year; the co‑responder team created an autism awareness “blue envelope” program and provided AngelSense anti‑wandering devices for several families.
Operational notes: The unit currently employs two full‑time licensed clinical social workers working 4‑10 schedules; program staffing and eligibility are tied to annual ICJIA awards and must be reapplied for each year. Grant coordinator Jenny (surname in transcript) and Trillium Place staff told council they expect the ICJIA program to continue for several years but emphasized the award is made on an annual cycle.
Vote and next steps: The council unanimously approved acceptance of the grant, the budget amendment and the Carle MOU extension. Council members praised the team’s outreach and recommended continued tracking of outcomes and public‑facing hiring materials; Trillium Place said positions for licensed social workers are actively posted.
Ending: The council’s action keeps the co‑responder team operational for the next year and funds continued coordination between police dispatch, Trillium Place clinicians and community organizations.
