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Authorizing the Use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and Agreement with Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications for the Kane County Health Department ARPA Behavioral Health System Improvement Initiative
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WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has enacted the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) to provide economic relief to State, Local, and Tribal governments responding to economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the County of Kane has received a total of $103,413,041 (One Hundred Three Million, Four Hundred Thirteen Thousand, Forty-One Dollars) from the United States Department of the Treasury, in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) pursuant to ARPA; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to ARPA and the administrative regulations adopted by the United States Department of the Treasury (“Final Rule”), the County of Kane shall use SLFRF to defray costs associated with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic within the County, to address the economic fallout from the pandemic, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-313, the Kane County Board has established the American Rescue Plan Committee (“ARPC”) as a resource for research, education, planning, and recommendations for the best allocation and uses of the County’s SLFRF; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 21-156, the Kane County Board approved the recommended Spending Plan as proposed by the ARPC, which designates $42,000,000 (Forty-Two Million Dollars) to be used for Kane County Department and Elected Office project requests; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 23-497, the Kane County Board authorized the use of $9,975,000 in SLFRF to fund the Addressing Behavioral Health Needs of Kane County Residents project (“Project”) for the Kane County Health Department; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Health Department desires to use a part of the ARPA funds allocated for the Project for a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Communication Campaign; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Project, RFP #24-044-TS was issued to procure a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Communications Campaign, and after that process, the Kane County Health Department recommending awarding a contract to Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications for this procurement; and
WHEREAS, this communications campaign will help the community recover from the negative impacts that COVID-19 had/has on mental health and wellbeing by communicating effectively with the public about positive behavioral health strategies, raising awareness about and linking residents to local services, reducing stigma of seeking support, and promoting healthy habits to help residents overcome challenges and meet their goals; and
WHEREAS, the mental health impact of the pandemic has been well documented. The National Institutes of Health point to a 2021 study which showed almost half of all Americans reported recent symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder with 10% reporting that their mental health needs were not being met. Rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, overdose, suicidal ideation, community violence and suicide all increased during the pandemic. The growing burden from behavioral health conditions is causing significant strain on American lives and communities. Even before COVID-19, approximately one in four Americans had a mental illness or substance use disorder. Then the traumatic nature of COVID-19 and prolonged social isolation, the ensuing economic constriction, and social and political issues continue to increase the prevalence of behavioral health conditions. Many organizations and public health departments have spent substantial funds to support integrative and innovative approaches to addressing this public health crisis, including positive communication campaigns. One of the most important parts of rebuilding our behavioral health system and improving the behavioral health of our community is a comprehensive communications plan that will raise broad awareness and connect residents with the resources they need; and
WHEREAS, the ARPC recommends that the Kane County Board authorizes the use SLFRF in the amount of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) as part of the Project to fund the Behavioral Health System Improvement Initiative (Comprehensive Behavioral Health Communications Campaign) for the Kane County Health Department, to be spent during the ARPA period of performance and in accordance with the ARPA, the Final Rule and related guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, and any other Federal, State or local laws and regulations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Kane County Board that an award to Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications for a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Communications Campaign is approved (RFP #24-044-TS) and that the Kane County Board Chairperson is authorized to execute a 2 (two) year contract with Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications and other documentation associated with this procurement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kane County Board hereby authorizes the Kane County Health Department’s use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, as allocated by Resolution 23-497, for the Behavioral Health System Improvement Initiative (Comprehensive Behavioral Health Communications Campaign), in the amount of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars), in accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Final Rule, and related guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, and any other Federal, State or local laws and regulations.
Passed by the Kane County Board on September 10, 2024.
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John A. Cunningham, MBA, JD, JD Corinne M. Pierog MA, MBA
Clerk, County Board Chairman, County Board
Kane County, Illinois Kane County, Illinois
Vote: