About the Office of Behavioral Health
Leading the Transformation of Behavioral Health in Cook County
About Us
Established in 2023 by Cook County Health, the Cook County Health Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) was created with a bold purpose: to transform how behavioral health services are coordinated, delivered, and experienced across Cook County.
Behavioral health challenges cannot be solved by any one organization alone. They require collaboration across healthcare, government, community-based organizations, education, employers, philanthropy, and people with lived expertise.
OBH brings these partners together to strengthen systems, expand access to care, and improve behavioral health outcomes for all Cook County residents.
Why We Exist
For too long, behavioral health services have been fragmented, making it difficult for individuals and families to access the care and support they need.
OBH was established to help address these challenges by strengthening collaboration, aligning systems, investing in innovative solutions, and supporting a coordinated behavioral health continuum that promotes prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery, and long-term well-being.
Together with partners across Cook County, we are building a behavioral health system that is more connected, equitable, responsive, and community driven.
Our Strategic Foundation
The Cook County Regional Behavioral Health Strategic Plan serves as the roadmap for our work.
Developed through extensive community engagement and cross-sector collaboration, the Strategic Plan establishes a shared vision for strengthening behavioral health across Cook County. It guides our efforts to improve coordination, expand access to care, strengthen the workforce, enhance crisis response, and address the behavioral health needs of residents across the County.
The Plan is more than a document—it is a shared commitment to collective action and lasting systems change.
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Our Vision
To foster a healthier and more resilient Cook County where all residents have equitable access to timely, comprehensive, compassionate, and high-quality behavioral health services.
We envision a county where behavioral health is recognized as an essential part of overall well-being and where support is integrated, accessible, and available to everyone—regardless of background, circumstances, or zip code.
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Our Mission
Our mission is to build a coordinated, equitable, and community-driven behavioral health system that promotes prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery, and overall well-being while addressing the health-related social needs that influence behavioral health outcomes.
Cook County Health Mission
Establish universal access to the world’s best care and health services for all Cook County residents, regardless of the ability to pay, so all may live their healthiest life. We seek to create partnerships with other health providers and communities to enhance the health of the public. We also advocate for policies that promote the physical, mental and social well-being of the people of Cook County.
Guiding Principles
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Collective Advocacy & Community Engagement
We believe meaningful systems change happens through collaboration. We engage communities and partners across Cook County to identify priorities, build consensus, and advance shared solutions through the Regional Behavioral Health Collaboratives.
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Health Equity
We believe every resident deserves equitable access to high-quality behavioral health services across the full continuum of care—from prevention and early intervention to crisis response, treatment, recovery, and ongoing support.
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Evidence-Based & Evidence-Informed Care
We promote the use of proven and promising practices that improve quality, strengthen outcomes, and respond to the evolving needs of communities.
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Innovation
We support innovative, community-driven approaches that strengthen behavioral health systems and improve the health and well-being of Cook County residents.
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Diversity & Inclusion
We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and lived expertise. We believe behavioral health solutions are strongest when they reflect and engage the communities they serve.
Meet Our Team
Our team is committed to strengthening behavioral health across Cook County through collaboration, innovation, strategic investment, and community partnership. Together, we work alongside providers, community organizations, public agencies, and residents to build a stronger behavioral health system for everyone.
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Tom Nutter, MD
Chief Behavioral Health Officer
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Jennifer Brothers, DrPH, MPH
Executive Director, Impact Fund and Community Services
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Greg Lee, LCSW
Executive Director, Behavioral Health System Redesign
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Carlos Quezada-Gomez, PsyD, MBA, MSCP
Senior Behavioral Health Officer
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Juleigh Nowinski-Konchak, MD, MPH, FASAM
System Director, Substance Use Disorder Services
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Sophia Koslowski, MPH
Grant Administration Manager
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Nora Benomar, MPH
Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
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JonQuese Williams, MBA, LSSGB
Business Operations Manager
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Candace Harrison, LCSW, CCM
Manager of Clinical Excellence & Performance Improvement, Behavioral Health
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Minarva Klapman, MPH
Community Mobilization Coordinator
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Jasmine Vergara, MPH
Community Mobilization Coordinator
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Swati Goyal, MPH
Community Mobilization Coordinator
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Kristy Johnson
Grant Proposal Writer
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Nicole Caridine
Administrative Assistant