Pillar Methodology

Will County identified four primary activities that were prioritized in the evaluation of applicants:

• Food Stabilization: Funds are allocated to programs that enhance food stability in the community. This includes supporting food banks, community kitchens, and programs that ensure vulnerable populations have access to nutritious and sufficient food.
• Behavioral Health: Resources are directed towards improving behavioral health services. This could involve expanding access to mental health clinics, crisis intervention programs, counseling services, and initiatives that promote mental well-being.
• Violence Prevention: Funds are utilized for violence prevention programs that contribute to community safety. This might include supporting community outreach efforts, conflict resolution programs, and initiatives that address the root causes of violence.
• Access & Equity to Healthcare: The methodology emphasizes reducing healthcare disparities and enhancing access to quality healthcare. This could involve setting up community health clinics, increasing telehealth services, and improving healthcare access for underserved populations.

Will County’s Advocacy Center, as an extension of the State’s Attorney’s Office, requested and was granted funds to both purchase and outfit a new building to operate their services. Over the course of the pandemic. violence and abuse against children has shown to have increased. As a result, the Children’s Advocacy Center saw a rise in cases. The current facility is inadequate for the operations and, with a new facility, can accommodate all staff, private interview rooms, and allow for expansion of services. The existing building has greater capital needs compared to a new building. There is no opportunity for expansion and the facility is outdated and in need of extensive repairs and rehabilitation. It could not accommodate the expansion of services needed to address the impacts of the pandemic. Data suggests that COVID-19 has had a major impact on child abuse and neglect (CAN) in the U.S. leading to a change in the number of reported screened-in CAN investigations, missed prevention cases, and missed CAN cases. The investment in the CAC is in response to the broader health impacts of COVID-19, including community violence interventions and behavioral health.

Will County Health Department served as the community hub, sustaining a substantial portion of the response to COVID-19, caring for residents, and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 over the last two years. The Health Department has been granted a portion of funds to execute a list of requests for projects, supplies, staffing, and programs to improve effective service delivery, increase capacity, and expand services for a more robust recovery response. The County Board examined these requests, with input from staff and Health Department leadership, approved nearly $8 million.

The Coroner’s Office purchased autopsy room equipment to aid the response to COVID-19 and its impacts on long-term public health and disaster preparedness. The Coroner’s Office utilized $1.6 million to purchase and install autopsy room equipment and freezers. The Will County Coroner’s Office is considered eligible for funding given its involvement in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic precipitating updates to its outdated temporary facility. Throughout the pandemic, the Will County Coroner’s Office underwent several changes to assist the County in the unprecedented number of COVID-19-related deaths. The morgue was dilapidated and had been in a temporary location for many years. When COVID-19 hit, the temporary facility’s capacity was exceeded and could not accommodate the nearly 1,700 deaths. As a result, the County had to utilize refrigeration trucks to store and maintain bodies while awaiting examination. The community will benefit from the new facility as the Coroner’s Office continues to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. The new facility will ensure preparedness for a future mass casualty event, public health crisis, or disaster. It may also serve as a space for medical supplies and equipment storage, emergency response and administration, and future surge medical facility capacity. Additionally, the Coroner’s Office is still experiencing an influx of autopsies for drug overdoses/suicide that may be related to mental health issues resulting from COVID-19.

Various social service agencies, including the United Way of Will County, embarked on a mission to assess the health needs of their community. They joined forces to conduct a comprehensive community health needs assessment through the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) Collaborative. One of the primary objectives was to combat food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food for all residents, with a special focus on the identified priority needs and populations in the MAPP assessment. Food for All adopted a “Food First Model” approach to tackle food deserts within Will County. The program aimed to establish a local food economy that would support and empower socially vulnerable communities, particularly those disproportionately impacted in the target areas. Entrepreneurial opportunities would be created, allowing residents of these areas to actively participate in and benefit from the program. To achieve these goals, Food for All would collaborate with various organizations and entities, including We WILL Grow, Sharefest, Will County Farm Bureau, local farmers interested in sustainable produce for community use, Illinois Partners in Hope, Health System partners, and Will County Higher Learning Universities. The program planned to funnel fresh produce through these channels, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food to the communities in need.