Des Plaines, Ill. (May 28, 2024) – The City of Evanston has partnered with Oakton College to provide comprehensive training and certification for the recently announced Crisis Alternative Response Evanston (C.A.R.E.) responder program. The C.A.R.E. program is an initiative designed to provide a non-police response to certain calls for service deemed lower-risk. The C.A.R.E team will consist of dedicated professionals whose lived experience and training will allow them to respond to a range of community concerns.
Starting in June 2024, Oakton College will commence training for C.A.R.E. responders. The program will consist of a 28-hour Emergency Crisis Responder training spread over three weeks. Training sessions, facilitated by Oakton College educators, will take place three days a week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Following this time-frame, the City will conduct field trainings. Additionally, the City will provide training two days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Oakton College Emergency Crisis Responder program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to community crises. This comprehensive program covers various aspects of crisis intervention, mental health, restorative justice, and community resources. Participants will engage in both theoretical and practical training, including ride-alongs with the municipality's crisis response teams, to ensure they are prepared to handle real-world situations.
Furthermore, the City will offer one year of supplementary field training facilitated by the Evanston Police Department and the Evanston Fire Department. This inclusive training will encompass Narcan administration and C.P.R., among other essential skill sets. Responders will receive an Emergency Crisis Responder Program certificate from the Workforce Development at Oakton College.
“When the City of Evanston approached us with this specific need, we knew we wanted to leverage our resources to respond quickly,” said Jesse Ivory, Ed.D., Assistant Vice President of Workforce Innovation and College Partnership. “Our Emergency Crisis Responder program was developed to equip participants with the necessary skills for emergency situations. We are proud to be part of this important initiative.”
Workforce Development at Oakton College is a reliable and responsive partner, committed to addressing the needs of communities, businesses and industries. Aligned with Oakton’s Vision 2030: Building Just and Thriving Communities strategic plan, the College excels in swiftly developing and implementing customized programs, such as the Emergency Crisis Responder Certificate.