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Building safe and supportive neighborhoods through a community-based approach

Unnatural Causes Public Hearings

The ILAACP strengthens early intervention and prevention in African-American communities through culturally relevant research, training, and advocacy. A key strategy for achieving this involves increasing public awareness and consciousness about the social and health disparities negatively impacting our communities.

In May and June of this year, the ILAACP will partner with Aetna and the Health & Healthcare Disparities Committee of the Illinois General Assembly to host 3 public hearings in Cook, DuPage, and Peoria counties to

Raise awareness of the extent of health inequities from a national and county wide perspective.

Educate elected officials, local government health officials, and the general public about the "connection" between health disparities and the socio-economic conditions in which we are born, live, and work.

Identify common sense actions, policies, or initiatives that promote health equity.

The public hearings are being held in conjunction with PBS broadcast of Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?, a 4-hour documentary series exploring America's racial and socioeconomic inequalities in health.

To learn more about this initiative, please contact Malik Nevels, ILAACP Executive Director, at 312.850.4444 ext. 222.

For more information on Unnatural Causes, please visit www.unnaturalcauses.org.

Illinois After School Funding Taskforce

The ILAACP is a member of the Illinois After School Funding Taskforce. Established through the successful passage of HR 384, and coordinated by the Illinois After School Partnership, this taskforce is responsible for developing recommendations for the administration and coordination of after-school, mentoring, and student support line items currently housed in Illinois State Board of Education's budget.

Statewide Collaborative for Prevention Advocacy

The Statewide Collaborative for Prevention Advocacy is comprised of a variety of organizations interested in educating the general public, policymakers and funders about the value added by prevention and early intervention programs, practices and policies that increase the odds for Illinois children and youth. As an SCPA member, the ILAACP works diligently to ensure that culturally relevant strategies are employed during the design, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives that the group pursues.

Investing in Prevention: Sound Public Policy

A white paper that establishes a case for redirecting our Illinois' resources into effective programs to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, juvenile delinquency and related issues. To download a copy of this report, please click here.

Ready By 21

Ready By 21 seeks to realign Illinois' youth service delivery system. The first phase of the project involved gathering data on public perceptions about how well youth are doing with respect to 5 developmental areas. For a copy of the statewide survey results please click here.

The second phase of this project involved a series of policy briefings to discuss the results of o statewide surveys of youth and communities serving youth. For a copy of the RB21 Power Point presentation please click here.

Teen REACH Coalition to Restore Funding

Established in 2005, the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP) is committed to the development of culturally competent programs, policies and plans for African Americans by ensuring prevention, intervention and educational resources are available throughout the state of Illinois.

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For general information about the ILAACP, please contact 312.850.4444 or ilaacpinfo@ilaacp.org

Last year, after learning that 37 community-based agencies across Illinois would have to shut their doors due to the termination of Teen REACH funds, the ILAACP spearheaded a campaign along with the Teen REACH Coalition to Restore Funding to change that.

To raise public awareness about the funding crisis, more than 60 youth marched in Chicago's 2007 Columbus Day parade to show their support for after-school programming.

Additionally, in November, more than 120 youth and parents traveled to Springfield to meet with legislators during the Illinois General Assembly's veto session. After meeting with Senate leadership and Governor Blagojevich's Office of Management and Budget, the Senate passed SB 1537, which included a $1.9 million supplemental appropriation allowing the Teen REACH organizations to continue their programs through June 30, 2007. Though the bill was unsuccessful, the Governor's Office and Illinois Department of Human Services worked diligently and identified funds so that the agencies can continue providing vital after school programming for 3,000 at-risk youth.