Reflecting Mayor Johnson's commitment to co-governance, Treatment Not Trauma actively engages community members and organizations at the forefront of Chicago's mental health crisis. Centering on lived experience and local knowledge, this program gives voice to a deep-seated belief in citizen expertise, collaborative design, and the value of those most impacted having a seat at the proverbial table. Throughout the process, community members and organizations will bring a diverse range of expertise to crucial discussions, contributing to defining the program’s scope and goals, providing insights based on personal experiences and sharing data from their organizations, and maintaining ongoing dialogues with staff.

Aligned with the focus on community involvement, the Treatment Not Trauma Work Group Ordinance establishes a structured process for consulting with community members. A list of 10 Community Consultants, regarded as experts in their fields and compiled by Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez in consultation with Deputy Mayors, Departmental Leadership and other staff, is tasked with providing strong recommendations on non-police responses for behavioral and mental health crises, expanding mental health clinical services, and shaping the overall vision for the Treatment Not Trauma program. Per the ordinance, these Community Consultants will meet several times, with key sessions scheduled for December and January to define the program’s scope and delve into the landscape of alternative responses, including discussions on topics like CARE and 988 regulations. These consultants will also participate in Clinical Expansion and Alternative Response subgroup meetings as relevant. In addition to these meetings, the public is encouraged to join two open community meetings set for January and March, and a Public Hearing in the Health Committee in February.

Below are the organizations that our community consultants involved in Treatment Not Trauma represent, each contributing their diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge to enrich our program.