Even though the Division of Mental Health is modeling the Illinois 9-8-8 system on principles shared by the CESSA advocates, CESSA still articulates the goals for how that system should work. They are:
- Divert from hospitalization of incarceration whenever possible.
- Provide on-site care as appropriate.
- Recommend appropriate referrals for additional support.
- Provide transportation to appropriate care settings, as directed by the individual receiving care.
- Provide guidance for prioritizing calls for emergency assistance.
- Provide appropriate response times based on the type of care required.
- Set appropriate training requirements for mobile mental health responders, including training in de-escalation, in available local community services and supports, and in respectful interaction with people experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis.
- Set minimum mobile response team staffing levels.
- Require training from individuals with lived experience.
- Adopt guidelines directing when referral to a restrictive care setting is appropriate.
- Specify regional best practices.
- Adopting a system to allow voluntary advanced care directives.
- Establish training for 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 staff in how to coordinate with 9-8-8.
- Establish protocols for emergency responder coordination.
- Establish protocols for police request of 9-8-8 resources.