E.C.H.O - Engaging Community for Healthy Outcomes

E.C.H.O. (Engaging Community for Healthy Outcomes) is the Village's Alternative Response to Calls for Service Pilot Program. Developed in response to years of community advocacy and in alignment with state legislation and expert recommendations, E.C.H.O. seeks to provide compassionate, effective care through specialized response teams.

The E.C.H.O. Team provides care coordination and resource navigation to Oak Park residents who may need support connecting to community services. Residents can connect with E.C.H.O. through a referral from the Police or Fire Departments, by walking into Village Hall or by contacting the Village directly.

When an E.C.H.O. team member connects with a resident, they take the time to understand the resident’s needs and identify appropriate resources and services through a comprehensive assessment. Depending on the individual’s circumstances, E.C.H.O. may help connect residents to mental health services, substance use treatment, food assistance, housing resources, senior services, domestic violence resources, and other community-based supports.

E.C.H.O. also conducts street outreach with individuals experiencing homelessness. This includes building relationships with residents, providing care kits and other basic necessities, connecting individuals to emergency shelter and housing resources and helping them navigate available services.

The goal of E.C.H.O. is to help residents identify and access the resources they need while providing a supportive point of connection within the community.

This initiative builds on:

• The Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) passed by the State of Illinois.
• Recommendations from the BerryDunn Community Safety Study(PDF, 2MB).
• Insights from the Village Manager's Alternative Response Task Force for Mental Health Crises(PDF, 451KB).

The data shown below reflects ECHO program activity from its implementation in February 2025 to the present. Consistent with the Village’s commitment to transparency, equity and accountable service delivery, staff monitor this information to assess program impact, identify barriers to care and strengthen partnerships that build trust with residents. The ECHO team uses these insights to reduce reliance on first responders for non‑emergency or social‑service‑driven calls, fill gaps in support services and work collaboratively with community partners to advance long‑term stability for households in need. This work directly aligns with recommendations outlined in the BerryDunn alternative response report, the Mental Health Task Force and the statewide CESSA initiative—all of which emphasize the importance of coordinated behavioral health response and community‑based support. As this pilot continues, outcomes and trends will be shared with the Village Board every six months to support data‑informed decision‑making and maintain public accountability.

Explore deeper at https://opendata.oak-park.us/echoactivity/

Community Care Navigation

Community Care Navigation is a core component of the ECHO program, providing coordinated follow‑up services and support for residents who require non‑emergency or social‑service‑based assistance. Care Coordinators respond to referrals following 911 calls, Village‑initiated service requests, walk‑in needs and direct calls from residents. Their work focuses on reducing barriers to care, strengthening trust and identifying opportunities for improvement within the Village’s network of services.

Care Coordinators also partner with local non‑profit agencies to support unhoused residents through street outreach, distribution of care kits and assistance in accessing emergency shelter and pathways to long‑term housing stability. As subject matter experts in community‑based care, they assist first responders during follow‑up to traumatic community events and other urgent situations, helping ensure a compassionate, coordinated response that aligns with the Village’s commitment to equity, community well‑being and effective service delivery.

Unarmed Service Response

To address low-risk calls that do not require a mental health or police response, E.C.H.O. introduces Community Service Officers (CSOs) — unarmed civilian members of the Oak Park Police Department.

CSOs will:

• Respond to calls such as property damage, minor thefts, motor vehicle accidents and falls or injuries on public property.
• Enhance response times and free up armed officers to focus on higher-risk situations.