Will County 708 board reports 58 grant applications seeking $8.2M; $5M planned for awards

Tina Mackey, director of the Will County Community Mental Health 708 Board, briefed the Will County Board Executive Committee on the boardquarterly update, describing the needs assessment, scoring process and budget timeline as the board moves toward grant awards expected in March.

The 708 boardhas received 58 applications from 47 agencies requesting just over $8.2 million for programs in three priority areas: mental/behavioral health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mackey said the board intends to distribute about $5 million in the 2025 grant cycle; awards will be reimbursable, with grantees submitting quarterly documentation before receiving payments.

The board contracted Diversified Services Network, a Naperville-based consultant, to score applications using a rubric that evaluates financial stability, licensing, program design and organizational capacity. Mackey described a two-reader scoring process with reconciliation when scores diverge and said most files produced closely aligned scores. The board is reviewing applications for Medicaid-eligible services and other funding sources to avoid duplicative support.

Mackey summarized a 2024 county needs assessment, conducted with Will/Grundy Medical Center and its Health Equity Institute, that identified recurring barriers: cost and availability of care, transportation, stigma, workforce shortages, underserved populations, and gaps in post-crisis supports. Based on that assessment, the 708 board set strategic priorities that include early-intervention services for children and families, supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, suicide prevention, transportation access (including bilingual outreach), and workforce development and retention.

Mackey outlined fiscal flows: the separate levy produced roughly $5 million in the first collection; the Will County Health Department received an early payment for service delivery; the 708 board bank balance was about $2.2 million at the time of the presentation. Mackey said the board wanted to retain a reserve to sustain existing Health Department services and to respond to unexpected community crises; she also noted the 2025 grant-cycle awards will be spread across the fiscal year because payments are reimbursable.

During questions, members asked for the full list of applicants and for clarification on award timing and whether awards will be issued together; Mackey said she expects all awards to be announced at once after scoring is complete and that she would provide a list of applicants to committee staff. Members also raised workforce-development needs for providers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Mackey said several applicants propose workforce programs for that population. For referrals, Mackey said the Will County Health Department provides integrated behavioral-health intake and remains an appropriate first referral for people in crisis (and that crisis resources include 988 and 911 for immediate emergencies).

The 708 board plans quarterly reporting to the Executive Committee and continued outreach to county board members as awards are finalized.

Mackeyclosed by saying she will return with quarterly updates and can be contacted for follow-up information.