The Big Push for CESSA Note: Information about CESSA campaign may change at anytime. This guide is based on updated information and news.

2 What is CESSA

● CESSA stands for Community Emergency Services and Supports Act ● CESSA is a statewide bill where, if passed, each region in will create mobile units of first responders, similar to ambulances, that will respond to behavioral and mental health emergencies. If the emergency is beyond the first responders control and it involves criminal activity or weapons, then the police will come in and help. Police will not be the first responders.

3 What is CESSA ● People in behavioral and mental health emergencies can elect to be transported to hospital, local mental and behavioral health services, or support person(s). ● Each region in Illinois will be required to create a group where they could decide what mobile units look like and collect data on behavioral/mental health emergency calls to 911 dispatchers. 4 What CESSA is Not

● CESSA is not a “Defund the Police” bill. ● CESSA is not a bill calling for more police officers to get crisis intervention training. However, CIT can work hand-in-hand with mobile behavioral and mental health emergency units, similar to how police and first responders/EMTs work together. 5 Story behind CESSA ⮚ 10% of 911 calls request help with a mental or behavioral health emergency. ⮚ Since Illinois lacks a coordinated health care response service, 911 can only dispatch law enforcement. ⮚ Law enforcement practices focusing on “command and control” of a location actually makes many of these emergencies worse. ⮚ Law enforcement skills are rarely needed as people with mental illness are less likely to be violent than people without such a diagnosis. ⮚ Law enforcement is generally compelled to hospitalize or jail people needing this service, but 90% of people do not need such an invasive and costly response.

6 Story behind CESSA

We don’t want the same things to happen over and over again where police interactions during mental or behavioral health emergencies end in tragedy. We remember people like Stephon Watts, Laquan McDonald, and Quintonio LeGrier; we remember those who died as a result of those interactions.

7 Why is CESSA important for people with disabilities living in Illinois?

● CESSA can lower violent interactions between the disability community and the police. ● People with disabilities in emergencies should not be forced to go to a hospital or jail. We have the right to choose where we can go for mental and behavioral health resources. ● CESSA will give people with disabilities the opportunity to explore resources that are already in their local areas.

8 CESSA Updates

9 Brief CESSA Recap (2021)

● CESSA was passed in the Mental Health and Addiction Committee of the Illinois House of Representatives ● Then, all of the state representatives got the chance to listen to witness slips related to the bill, then they voted on the bill ● 110 state representatives voted yes for CESSA ● After those votes were counted, the bill was transferred to the ● The Behavioral and Mental Health committee in the Illinois Senate will take a first look at CESSA

10 Next Steps for CESSA (2021) ● CESSA is assigned to the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee within the Illinois Senate. State senators in that committee will vote on CESSA. ○ Date: May 18th at 5pm

11 Next Steps for CESSA (2021) ● State Senators in the Behavioral Health Committee: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Donald P. DeWitt ○ Jason Plummer

12 Next Steps for CESSA (2021) ● If it passes, then it will go to all of the state senators for a vote. They will vote on May 28th. ● If a majority of the state senators vote “yes” for CESSA, then it will go to Governor Pritzker’s office.

13 Next Steps for CESSA (2021) ● If Governor Pritzker signs the bill, CESSA is now a law! ● If Governor Pritzker refuses to sign the bill, CESSA can still become a state law if the majority of the Illinois Senate says “yes” to CESSA in another round of votes.

14 There are seven ways you can help spread the word about CESSA and help us get enough people to support the bill

15 Option #1: Contact Your State Representatives

Ask your state representative in your area to support CESSA and tell them why you think CESSA is important.

There are three ways you can do it: through a link with pre-written letter, Resistbot App, or looking up the state rep’s info yourself and using your own script/testimony. Learn more at: https://www.accessliving.org/defending-our-rights/racial-justice/com munity-emergency-services-and-support-act-cessa/final-push-to-su pportcessa/#contact-your-reps

16 Option #2: Social Media

Share your passion for supporting CESSA to people on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media apps! Access Living created a toolkit where you can check out examples of what you could post. The link is: https://www.accessliving.org/defending-our-rights/racial-justic e/community-emergency-services-and-support-act-cessa/final -push-to-supportcessa/#share-on-social

17 Option #3: Share Your Story

You can ask Access Living to share your story about your support for CESSA. They will post whatever you have...for you! All you have to is fill out the form at the following link: https://www.accessliving.org/defending-our-rights/rac ial-justice/community-emergency-services-and-supp ort-act-cessa/submit-testimony-to-supportcessa/

18 Option #4: Phone Banking

We need help with making calls to state senators to either thank them for supporting CESSA or encourage them to support CESSA.

We are looking for people to phone bank with us. Do you have an hour to make a few calls? Contact Candace Coleman at (312) 428-8346, or [email protected].

19 Option 4: Phone Banking

You can help us reach the senators alone as well. You may reach any of the senators by calling their number in the phone bank list. You can get the list by going to: https://tinyurl.com/IL-Senate-Phone-List

The phone bank list will have the following information: name of the senator, the party that the senator represents, their office phone number, and whether or not they already supported CESSA. There is also a Scripts section where can use scripts when calling state senators.

20 Option 4: Phone Banking (Script for State Senators Supporting CESSA)

If you see a check in the “Support CESSA” section by a senator’s name, then they support CESSA. You can thank them by using the following script when you call their office:

Hello, my name is ______and I'm calling on behalf of a statewide coalition of groups advocating for improved emergency 911 options for people with disabilities. I'm calling because I want to thank you Senator for supporting the CESSA bill, SB2117. Thank you so much! Have a great day.

21 Option 4: Phone Banking (Script for Senators who haven’t said “yes” to supporting CESSA yet)

If a senator on the phone banking does not have a check next to their name in the “Support CESSA” section, use this following script when you call their office:

Hello, my name is ______and I'm calling on behalf of a statewide coalition of groups advocating for improved emergency 911 options for people with disabilities. I'd like to find out if the Senator would be willing to support SB2117, the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act. The bill will help ensure that 911 can dispatch non-law enforcement supports to people with disabilities having mental health or behavioral crises. Can they support this bill?

22 Option #5: Join the Statewide CESSA Committee

AYLP is hosting a statewide committee where self-advocates, allies, and stakeholders can come and learn more about how to push for CESSA in their local area. You can join as an individual or a representative of your group.

We hold Zoom meetings on Thursdays at 5 pm CT. If you would like to join, or want more information, email Candace Coleman at [email protected].

23 Option #6: #SupportCESSA Facebook Profile Picture Frames ● Along with the #SupportCESSA hashtag, you can also use one of the nine CESSA Facebook profile picture frames to show support of the bill. ● Make sure to choose one that says "By Access Living".

24 Option #7: Witness Slips

Would you like to show public support of CESSA and let everyone in Illinois know, including the state senators?

25 How to Fill Out A Witness Slip ● Go ilga.gov ● Go to the Senate section on the home page ● Under “Senate”, click on Committees ● Click on Behavioral and Mental Health ● Click on Notice of Hearing ● Click on Create Witness Slips ● Click on the notepad and pencil icon under Witness Slips, next Senator Robert Peters name

26 How to Fill Out A Witness Slip

● Make sure to add your name, address, city, state, and zip code. You could also add your email address, phone number, or the name of the group you’re with ● In the “Position” Section, select “Proponent”

27 How to Fill Out A Witness Slip

● In the “Testimony” section, select “Record of Appearance Only ● Check the box at the bottom, next to “I agree” to the ILGA Terms of Agreement. ● Click on “Create Slip” button on the bottom right corner

28 Additional Ways to Support or Learn about CESSA

For additional information about CESSA and more detailed instructions on how to support the bill, or if you would like to see examples of CESSA campaign being mentioned in the news, visit the page on the Access Living website: https://www.accessliving.org/defending-our-rights/racial-justic e/community-emergency-services-and-support-act-cessa/final -push-to-supportcessa/#share-on-social

29 Additional Ways to Support or Learn about CESSA

If you would like to read the full text of CESSA, see who supports the bill, or learn which committee is reviewing CESSA, visit: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2117 &GAID=16&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=134768&SessionID=110 &GA=102

30 Thank you for all for your support!

#SuppportCESSA #MentalHealthIsNotACrime

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