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Oak Park’s ECHO care‑coordination pilot logged 702 referrals in Year 1; staff aims for 1,299 in 2026
Summary
The ECHO pilot (launched Jan. 2025) logged 702 unique referrals in Feb–Dec 2025 and now averages about six staff hours per household as efficiencies improved. The program focuses on unhoused services, housing support and behavioral health; staff plan a phase‑2 rollout tied to CESA mental‑health dispatch and additional funding requests this summer.
Village staff told trustees Jan. 27 that the ECHO (Engaging Community for Healthy Outcomes) pilot completed a first year of operation with 702 unique referrals and operational improvements that reduced average staff time per household from roughly 10–12 hours during early months to about six hours more recently.
Vanessa Medina, Community Services Administrator, said ECHO began with a program manager and two care coordinators and provides follow‑up case management and warm handoffs to community providers for residents with behavioral health, housing instability, substance use, senior needs and other social service needs. "In the first year our call volume reflects intentional, capacity‑aligned implementation that met program targets," Medina said, noting that outreach (mailers, videos, trainings) and partnerships with police, fire and Housing Forward were key to early uptake.
Staff presented referral breakdowns: about 24% of referrals involved services for unhoused residents, housing support and landlord/tenant issues were prominent, behavioral health comprised a significant share, and roughly 30% of referrals originated directly from residents. Medina said the program has begun tracking repeat callers and that the team works in the field three times a week with police and Housing Forward to strengthen relationships and service connections.
Trustees asked about metrics and next steps. Staff said WestCom dispatch began training in December and CESA (a co‑response/mental‑health dispatch model) implementation data will be incorporated; staff are targeting a phase‑2 proposal around June and expect to request budget direction during the summer budget process for any expansion. Medina said the village increased emergency‑shelter capacity from 20 to 40 beds as of Oct. 31, 2025, a factor staff expect to affect unhoused services demand.
Trustees praised the program and requested continued data on repeat callers and measurable outcomes (reduction in 911 repeat responses). Staff said they will provide ongoing dashboards and promised more regular reporting as metrics and benchmarks are finalized.
