Lake County Sheriff's COaST Program Receives Excellence Award and $250,000 Grant

The Lake County Sheriff's Multi-Agency Crisis Awareness and Support Team (COaST) Received the 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Award of Excellence and Secured a $250,000 Grant from an Illinois State Senator.

Started in 1970, the NACo award is designed to celebrate innovation in county government and recognizes innovative and effective government programs that strengthen services to residents, officials said.

“We are thrilled that NACo has recognized the innovation and importance of our multi-agency COaST program! Additionally, the funds secured by Senator Johnson will significantly improve our ability to help people in mental crisis,” Idleburg said. “Our COaST program was one of the first in the country and we are incredibly proud of its success. We have been able to provide services to thousands of Lake County residents since the program's inception.

Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson, Democrat of Buffalo Grove, secured a $250,000.00 operational grant for COaST that can be used for general operational expenses, staffing, capacity building and the equipment, authorities said.

The grant is a line item in Illinois' FY25 budget adopted on June 5, 2024.

“I support Lake County's award-winning COaST program because it aligns with one of my top priorities: ensuring the safety of residents struggling with mental health issues that require intervention and treatment rather than punishment,” Johnson said. “Sheriff John Idleburg and his dynamic team, along with several Lake County police chiefs, have proactively implemented the COaST program to provide training, resources and tools to properly and safely respond to calls involving mental health issues. I will continue to support effective and compassionate programs that put people and safety first.

The multi-agency component of COaST became operational in January 2022 and consists of members from the Gurnee Police Department, Lake Forest Police Department, Libertyville Police Department, Lincolnshire Police Department, Mundelein Police, the Vernon Hills Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff. Office, authorities said.

A police officer from these local agencies and a deputy from the sheriff's office partner with a social worker, clinician or peer specialist to respond to mental health-related calls.

Since the creation of the multi-agency team, COaST has responded to dozens of ongoing mental health calls, officials said, allowing trained professionals to deploy to the scene, spending as much time as necessary with the person in crisis and to let responding deputies/police officers respond to emergency calls first.

Each year, NACo's Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the broad and comprehensive services provided by counties, officials said. These categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement, and more.

“The Achievement Awards recognize excellence in county government and effective public service,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “This year’s winners have delivered results for our residents and demonstrated innovative efforts to strengthen our communities.

COaST is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Safety and Justice Challenge in partnership with the Livingroom Wellness Center.