By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Prevention and intervention and parts of an anti-crime strategy announced by the governor and lawmakers Monday.
State Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) says words are only … words
“A budget is a moral document,” he said. “It’s a statement of your responsibilities, a statement of your priorities. A commitment of $250 million over three years to hit this problem head-on. There’s a quote: we cannot become what we want by remaining where we are.”
Elements of the plan, according to a news release, include:
-High-risk youth intervention programs that have been proven to reduce involvement in the criminal or juvenile justice system, referrals of teens into therapeutic programs that address trauma recovery and other mental health services.
-Violence prevention services, including street-based violence interruption work, emotional or trauma related therapy, housing, employment, job training/placement, family engagement, and wrap-around support services.
-Youth development programs, including after school and summer programming to increase school attendance and school performance, reduce criminal justice system involvement, and build social-emotional persistence and intelligence.
-Trauma recovery services for young people, funded by Medicaid, designed and implemented by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to address trauma recovery from chronic exposure to firearm violence. A team-based model of care will include case management and school support services, group and individual therapy, and evidence-based family systems interventions.
A grieving mother at Monday’s news conference said it takes a village to raise a child; it takes a village to mourn one, too.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
