Cook County Behavioral Health Summit
Bringing People Together to Drive Action
Connecting Leaders.
Sharing Solutions.
Strengthening Behavioral Health Across Cook County.
The Cook County Behavioral Health Summit, hosted by the Cook County Health Office of Behavioral Health, brings together healthcare providers, community organizations, advocates, government partners, people with lived expertise, first responders, educators, employers, and other stakeholders committed to strengthening behavioral health across Cook County.
Each Summit provides an opportunity to share innovative ideas, strengthen partnerships, learn from one another, and advance collaborative solutions that improve behavioral health across our communities.
Why a Cook County Behavioral Health Summit Matters
Behavioral health challenges cannot be solved by any one organization alone. Improving behavioral health across Cook County requires collaboration among healthcare providers, community-based organizations, government agencies, first responders, educators, employers, advocates, people with lived expertise, and community members.
The Cook County Behavioral Health Summit brings these diverse partners together to:
Strengthen partnerships across sectors and communities
Share innovative programs, promising practices, and lessons learned
Advance implementation of the Cook County Regional Behavioral Health Strategic Plan
Identify collaborative solutions to today's behavioral health challenges
Inspire action that leads to stronger systems and better outcomes for Cook County residents
2026 Cook County Behavioral Health Summit
Stronger Together: Driving Action to Impact
On September 9, 2026, the Cook County Health Office of Behavioral Health brought together hundreds of stakeholders from over 400 organizations across Cook County for a day of collaboration, learning, and action.
Through breakout sessions, panel discussions, and shared learning, the Summit focused on strengthening partnerships, sharing promising practices, and advancing practical solutions to drive meaningful change across Cook County's behavioral health system.
2026 Summit Recordings & Presentations
Explore recordings and presentation materials from the 2026 Summit. These resources highlight discussions, promising practices, and collaborative approaches to addressing behavioral health needs across Cook County.
Opening Plenary
Lunch Plenary: Stronger Together: From Investment to Impact
AI In Behavioral Health: Best Practices and Guardrails
HR 1 - How to Prepare for the Medicaid Changes Ahead
Beyond Clinical Care: Addressing Social Isolation, Stigma, and the Need for Belonging Among Older Adults
Chicago Street Medicine: Supporting Individuals with Serious Mental Illness in Their Community
Stabilizing Earlier: Building Crisis Response Families Will Use
Strengthening Trust and Engagement in Behavioral Health
A Discussion on Circumambulating Substance Use Care
From Release to Recovery: Building Successful Reentry Pathways through Behavioral Health Support
Closing Plenary: Looking Ahead: Local Leadership. Lasting Commitment.
Helping the Helpers: Designing for Employee Retention and Success
The Cook County Behavioral Health Apprenticeship and Retention Hub: Building the Behavioral Health Workforce
Shared Power, Shared Care: A Collaborative Model to Enhance Pediatric Behavioral Health Care
Understanding Barriers and Exploring Innovative Solutions to Autism Evaluation and Behavioral Health Care
Lunch Plenary: Nikki Lynette
Major Developments in the Crisis System
K-12 Schools and Behavioral Health: Creating a Seamless Continuum of Care for Youth
Get Involved
Behavioral health challenges cannot be solved by any one organization alone.
Whether you are a provider, community organization, healthcare leader, advocate, employer, educator, researcher, public-sector partner, or community member, your voice and partnership are essential to building a stronger behavioral health system across Cook County.