Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mental Health Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $700,000 in 708 Mental Health Board grants for FY 2026–2027
Summary
The Committee approved the 708 Mental Health Board's recommendation to allocate $700,000 across 21 agencies after hearing from the board chair about $852,000 in requests and the board's scoring process; larger recommended awards include TriCity Family Services and the city's embedded social worker.
The Committee of the Whole approved the 708 Mental Health Board's recommended allocations for FY 2026–2027, directing $700,000 in levy revenue to mental-health and related services.
Rick Raber, who identified himself in the hearing as chair of the 708 Mental Health Board, outlined the board's application and scoring process and said the board had reviewed requests totaling $852,000 and is recommending allocations that sum to $700,000 across 21 qualified agencies. He highlighted several recommended awards in the council packet: TriCity Family Services (recommended ~$190,000), the City-funded full-time social worker (~$87,107), the Ecker Center (~$76,286), CASA of Kane County (~$32,584), Lazarus House (~$45,906), and Lighthouse Recovery Center (~$50,000).
Councilmembers asked how applicants determine requested amounts and how the board verifies that services primarily serve St. Charles residents. Raber said applicants base requests on service volumes and budgets, the board uses a detailed application and presentation process to assess service to city residents, and that the board is refining its scoring rubric to give greater weight to the number of St. Charles residents served.
A motion to approve the board's recommended allocations was moved and seconded; roll-call votes were recorded and the allocation passed. Staff will proceed to implement the awards per the board's recommendations and the city's levy appropriation.
