NCJ Number
253761
Date Published
June 2019
Length
82 pages
Annotation
This report describes the Illinois Heals Action Plan, which is a 6-year initiative that involves experts, service providers, community groups, young victims and their families, and other stakeholders in the implementation of strategies that promote the identification, connection, and service engagement of children, youth, and families impacted by violence in Illinois.
Abstract
The HEALS acronym stands for Helping Everyone Access Linked Systems. This effort involves a 15-month strategic planning process in developing a detailed action plan. The action plan involves the identification of and support for sustainable approaches and programs that build service capacity within Illinois communities. Demonstration project activities are intended to provide data and information on barriers, challenges, and successes to help inform program expansion to other Illinois communities. The effort thus far has developed a leadership network, the holding of stakeholder meetings, surveys of direct service providers, and victim interviews. Key components of the action plan developed involve recognition of the scope and characteristics of violence being experienced across the state, how to connect individual victims with resources that meet their needs, and engaging victim support providers in service characteristics and outreach that connect victims of violence with the resources and services they need. In assessing the current status of Illinois victim services the Action Plan has determined that both victims and their family members, as well as practitioners could not always locate or access services; there is a lack of information-sharing within and across victim service systems; and the lack of information-sharing and cross-agency accountability has resulted in unnecessary victim screening and assessment. Appendices contain materials used in the Action Plan.