IL HB3698

Creates the Cultural Empowerment Program within the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide grants to community providers serving underserved communities.

Grantees shall deliver training to faith-based leadership, share personal stories from individuals with lived mental health experience, and provide information about the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential.

Grantees must build relationships with Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and other behavioral health providers to facilitate referrals, ensure "warm handoffs" to services, and help consumers navigate or bypass wait lists and access barriers.

Grantees shall work with faith-based organizations to increase awareness of available behavioral health resources and support community advocacy for mental health treatment and recovery services.

Program must prioritize funding to existing trusted messengers within targeted communities and begin operations by July 1, 2024.