For Immediate Release: Nov. 5, 2026
For More Information: Yolanda Y. Harris, [email protected]
Cook County Awards $92K for Restorative Justice and Community Power Building Initiatives
Suburban Cook County, IL – Cook County Department of Public Health recently awarded $92,270 in Building Healthier Communities grants to three organizations to implement restorative practices in schools and community power building within suburban Cook County communities. Restorative practices, such as talking circles or peer mediation, offer alternatives to exclusionary discipline in schools.
The grant awardees are Hazel Crest School District 152 ½, SGA Youth and Family Services and United Palatine Coalition.
In June 2026, Cook County Department of Public Health issued open calls for restorative practices and community power building proposals to help improve mental health in suburban Cook County.
“Mental health is an urgent public health crisis not only in Cook County, but throughout the nation. We are grateful for the organizations that are developing initiatives to tackle this crisis, and we’re delighted to support them,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health.
Awardees in the Restorative Practices Category:
Cook County Department of Public Health’s recent report on restorative practices in schools found that suburban Cook County school districts rank among the highest in Illinois for racial and ethnic disparities in suspensions and expulsions. Restorative practice offers an evidence-based alternative to exclusionary discipline in schools and can improve mental health, socio-emotional skills, and overall school climate. Out of 15 applicants in the restorative practices open call, Hazel Crest School District 152 ½ and SGA Youth and Family Services were selected as the awardees.
- Hazel Crest School District 152 ½ was awarded $55,000.
Hazel Crest School District aims to strengthen school climate, reduce exclusionary discipline, and build a culture of belonging, accountability, and positive relationships across its schools, which serve 853 students in grades pre‑K through eighth grade. The funding will support expanding daily community‑building circles, training staff in restorative conversations, implementing structured re‑entry processes after incidents of harm, and offering restorative alternatives to suspension. It will also allow the district to provide targeted social‑emotional support for students with recurring behavioral needs and to deepen collaboration among administrators, social workers, and restorative practice facilitators.
- SGA Youth and Family Services received $21,287.
SGA will us the funding to implement restorative practices at Unity Junior High School in Cicero, Ill. SGA will offer professional learning, coaching, technical assistance and student-centered programming to strengthen restorative practices in the school community. The organization will also provide professional development for administrators, teachers, counselors and support staff and teach students about resilience, conflict resolution, emotional regulation and healthy releationships.
Awardee in the Power Building Category:
Traditional behavioral health services do not address all of the factors that contribute to mental health inequities—including housing instability, economic insecurity, and discrimination. Civic engagement and community organizing can complement clinical services by identifying shared concerns and advocating for changes to the policies and systems that influence their mental health. Out of 8 applications for the power building category, United Palatine Coalition, was selected for its proposed resident empowerment and civic engagement activities.
United Palatine Coalition was awarded $15,983.
United Palatine Coalition will use the funding to research and address economic insecurity and social isolation in northwest Cook County communities. Community-driven recommendations will be shared with statewide advocacy coalitions and local legislators. The coalition will simultaneously launch a series of advocacy trainings to equip residents with the knowledge, skills and confidence to advocate for community solutions. The United Palatine Coalition serves communities across Palatine, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Wheeling, Inverness, Barrington, Prospect Heights and Elk Grove Village.
For more information about Cook County Department of Public Health programs and services, visit www.cookcountypublichealth.org.
###
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH):
Cook County Department of Public Health is the nationally accredited, state-certified local health department serving suburban Cook County. We build healthier, more equitable communities by protecting health, preventing disease, engaging communities, and analyzing and sharing data for action.