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A Discussion Regarding the Request from the Living Room for $150,000 a Year for Three (3) Years
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Introduction
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This is a discussion regarding the request from NAMI Metro Suburban and the Community Mental Health Board (CMHB) for $150,000 a year for three (3) years, totaling $450,000, to support a pilot for a "Living Room" in Oak Park.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Finance Committee identify funding to support this request. To minimize financial impacts and maximize goal alignment, staff recommends that:
* The funding level be up to $150,000 a year for three years, with the amounts provided in years two and three reduced for any additional funding obtained by CMHB and NAMI.
* The agreement include performance measures such as demographic information on those using the Living Room; geographic distribution of users; and information on the number, type, and severity of visits.
* That CMHB and NAMI provide annual updates to the Village Board on the pilot.
Prior Board Action
At the October 21st, 2025 Village Board Meeting, a motion was made by Trustee Enyia and seconded by Trustee Leving Jacobson to grant $150,000 to the Living Room Project (MOT 25-255). This motion was discussed and sent to the Finance Committee for deliberation.
Background
The aforementioned motion has been sent to the Finance Committee to discuss and identify a funding source for the Living Room Project (LRP). The LRP is a nationally recognized model to support someone experiencing an increase in mental health symptoms. The LRP is for individuals over the age of 18 who require a crisis respite program, with services and supports designed to de-escalate a mental health crisis. This Living Room would likely be in the Southtown business district near the Oak Park Blue Line station. It would be open seven days a week from 12pm to 8pm.
The project sponsor, NAMI Metro Suburban, is seeking $150,000 per year for three years. This ...
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