Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx Announces Members of Mental Health Advisory Board

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx recently announced the members of the first ever Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Mental Health Advisory Board.

Formed in January of 2019, the advisory board is working to help the State’s Attorney’s Office develop strategies around the intersections and relationships between mental health, substance abuse, and the criminal justice system.

“I am proud of the group of mental health experts and criminal justice officials we have brought together who will work to deconstruct some of the long-standing narratives that are currently perpetuating cycles of incarceration.” State’s Attorney Foxx said. “We will also continue to strive to improve the way our Office prioritizes prosecution and diversion strategies when it comes to issues of mental health and addiction.”

The Board is chaired by Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia, former Executive Director of the Cook County Department of Corrections, Clinical Psychologist, and current Leader in Residence at Chicago Beyond.

Members of the Mental Health Advisory Board include:

Nneka Tapia*

*Board Chair, Leader in Residence-Chicago Beyond, Clinical Psychologist

Laura Brookes

Public Policy & Research- Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC)

Chris Carroll

Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4)-President & CEO, Mental Health Services and Justice Leader

Dennis Deer

Cook County Commissioner, Vice President Organizational Health & Management-Lawndale Christian Legal Center, Behavioral Health Clinician and Administrator

Matthew Davison

Attorney, Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission

Alexander Heaton

UChicago Urban Labs, Crime Lab-Research Manager

Mark Ishaug

Thresholds-CEO, Behavioral Health Care Advocacy, Delivery, & Policy Leader

Alexa James

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Chicago-Executive Director, Clinical Social Worker

Anna LauBach

Special Initiatives Program Director-McCormick Foundation

Pam Rodriguez

President-Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC)