Lisle expands police social-work services to full time, citing increased referrals

The Lisle Village Board voted May 4 to authorize a professional services agreement with Northeast DuPage Family & Youth Services to provide a full-time police social worker.

Chief Rodriguez reported that the police-social-work partnership has handled 141 referrals since September (with 55 accepted services and 56 mental-health intervention referrals) and that converting the role to a 40-hour model will expand counseling, resource navigation and crisis intervention capacity.

"This increased capacity strengthens our focus on prevention. We're going to be engaging individuals earlier," Chief Rodriguez said. He added staff expects to offset part of the contract cost through a grant application to the Lisle Township Mental Health Board.

Trustees expressed support for the expansion, noting positive outcomes and the value of outreach to youth and other residents. The board approved the resolution to execute the agreement.

What happens next: If grant funding is awarded as anticipated, the village will use the grant to offset the contract cost; staff said they view the change as an investment in prevention and linkage to services.