The Partner | October 2022
Breast Cancer & Domestic Violence Awareness
1-in-8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer for women regardless of race/ethnicity. However, women of color are often diagnosed at later stages and experience greater mortality than their white counterparts. While rare, men get breast cancer too. In 2022, an estimated 2,710 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. It is estimated that 1-in-3 women and 1-in-7 men will fall victim to domestic violence in their lifetime. We stand in support of the victims & survivors of both breast cancer and domestic violence. As October marked Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let's all do our best to spread consciousness, support, and resources.
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. For more information on free or low-cost breast cancer screenings in Lake County, please visit here.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is help and hope! A Safe Place provides emergency shelter, affordable housing, advocacy, and individual and group supportive services to individuals experiencing domestic violence and/or human trafficking and their children. For more information or help, please visit www.asafeplaceforhelp.org or call their 24-hour hotline at 1-800-600-SAFE(7233)
Exercise Your Civic Duty and VOTE!
November 8, 2022 is the General Election. The polls are now open, county-wide, for early voting and will be open 6 AM to 7 PM for election day voting. For more information on voting locations and voter services, please visit here. Let's all exercise out civic duty, get out there, and vote!
COaST Anniversary
October marked the 4th anniversary of our Crisis Outreach and Support Team! Our Crisis Outreach and Support Team, also known as COaST, expands an existing mobile co-responder program that dispatches a social worker or clinician and a sheriff’s deputy to follow up with individuals who encountered law enforcement while suffering mental health/substance use crises. Co-responders can provide a warm handoff to the Living Room Wellness Center for linkage to services and continue to follow up with clients for 60-90 days.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office launched the COaST pilot program in October 2018. In the time since its inception, the COaST has received referrals or responded to calls for over 3,800 individuals in need of crisis care, over 1,300 in 2022 alone! Each of these individuals were offered additional resources to meet their unique needs, including referrals to the Lake County Health Department and other health service providers. This year the Gurnee Police Department, Lake Forest Police Department, Libertyville Police Department, Lincolnshire Police Department, Mundelein Police Department, and Vernon Hills Police Department all joined the charge to participate in the co-responder model for mental health-related calls. Of the municipalities not currently participating in COaST, the vast majority of their officers have been Crisis Intervention Trained and can still make referrals to the COaST team and partnering agencies.
Recently, members of our Community Engagement team were able to participate in an in-field ride along with the COaST team for October, Deputy Marcos of Gurnee, and Clinician Arianna Crutchfield. Our team was pleased to see the warm reception of COaST as they traveled to schools, homes, and hospitals to meet the needs of those currently or recently facing a mental health crisis. In addition to supporting the induvial in need of care, a large part of what our COaST does is offer aid to the families of those experiencing a mental health crisis, an often overlooked and underserved group in these situations. Our team left with a renewed appreciation for the Crisis Outreach and Support Team! Services like these are vital to keeping Lake County healthy and equitable. Sheriff Idleburg says, “Mental health initiatives like this are making a difference... I firmly believe that people with mental illness require services, not incarceration, and programs like this aid in that quest.” To learn more about our Crisis Outreach and Support Team, please visit here.
Quarterly Meeting Minutes
If you couldn’t join us for our September Quarterly CJCC meeting, you can find the meeting minutes attached here! We will have another opportunity for you to join us very soon on December 14th. Use this link to register so you don’t miss the chance to join this vital discussion on major topics that impact our local community.
Coalition to Reduce Recidivism’s 2022 ‘Justinian of the Year’ Award
Sheriff Idleburg and the Corrections Division recieved the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism’s 2022 ‘Justinian of the Year’ award! Sheriff Idleburg and the Office received the award for our robust jail programming which assists inmates learn necessary skills, so when they’re released from jail, they are able to find a job and housing, which ultimately reduces recidivism. We are so grateful for our community partnerships!
Midwest Veterans Closet Coat Drive
Looking for a way to help our area Vets as we approach winter season? Donate your new and slightly used coats to Midwest Veterans Closet! Donation boxes are up at our Headquarters (25 S MLK, Waukegan), Court Security Office (18 N County St, Waukegan), and Patrol Substation (1301 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville).
Sheriff John D. Idleburg Accepts Resolution from the Illinois Police Association
Sheriff John D. Idleburg accepted a resolution on behalf of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, from the Illinois Police Association, recognizing the heroism displayed by Sheriff’s staff during the July 4th tragedy in Highland Park. Sheriff Idleburg, numerous Sheriff’s deputies, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and others ran directly into danger to save lives. There is no doubt the fast and heroic actions of all involved saved countless people. Sheriff Idleburg said, “The victims of the horrific July 4th tragedy are people we will remember every single day. I am beyond humbled to accept such recognition on behalf of my staff, and I am grateful not only for their heroism, but the heroism of so many that fateful day.”
You can help inform and engage the community about this work by forwarding this newsletter to three friends and encouraging them to sign up here.
The Safety and Justice Challenge strategies at Lake County, IL are proudly led and supported by:
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Lake County State's Attorney Office
19th Judicial Circuit Court
Lake County Public Defender's Office
Nicasa Behavioral Health Services
This project was created with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge, which seeks to reduce over-incarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails.