KENDALL COUNTY became an ARI site in July 2016 to start a new drug court, the first problem-solving court in Kendall County, in response to a lack of available criminal justice system responses to substance use disorder. In November 2019, Kendall County stakeholders involved in Drug Court began planning for a Mental Health Court, after recognizing a similar need to support individuals with mental health diagnoses. The Kendall County Mental Health Court and its Veteran's Treatment Court track began operation in March 2021 and are supported by ARI funding.

The Kendall County Problem-Solving Courts (both Drug Court and Mental Health Court) use evidence-based practices to create an individualized case management plan built around each participant's risks, needs and assets and provide community-based treatment and services in-lieu of a sentence to prison. The Kendall County ARI services include substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment (including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Moral Reconation Therapy, Medication Assisted Recovery, support from a case manager who links participants to outside treatment and housing resources, and community service opportunities.

Kendall County ARI is a partnership between the Kendall County Judiciary and the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office, the Kendall County Sheriff's Office, the Kendall County Health Department, and local treatment providers.

Program contact:

Problem-Solving Courts Coordinator, Kendall County

630-553-4926