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Oak Park presents interim results from ECHO alternative response pilot after 181 referrals
Summary
Village staff told the board that ECHO, an alternative call-response program launched in early 2025, has taken 181 referrals since staff onboarding and is providing timely care coordination intended to reduce repeat 911 uses and connect residents to housing, behavioral health and other services.
The Village of Oak Park presented an interim report on ECHO, its alternative call-response pilot, at a village board meeting; staff said the program has handled 181 referrals since staff were onboarded in early 2025 and is providing case management intended to reduce repeat emergency responses. Vanessa Matheny, community services administrator for the Village of Oak Park, told trustees the board approved phase 1 of the ECHO initiative on June 11, 2024, and the village onboarded program staff in January–February 2025.
The program manager and care coordinators provide follow-up and service navigation for residents who interact with emergency responders or seek help directly at Village Hall, Matheny said. "ECHO has received a 181 referrals from across the Oak Park community," she said, and added that referrals have come from walk-ins, the fire department, the police department and several village departments.
Matheny said the phase-1 team includes one program manager, two care coordinators and three community service officers embedded with the police department. The…
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