PO26-002 Trauma Health Court Order.pdf

This is a court order document related to the establishment and operation of a Trauma Health Court within the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The order establishes the framework for a specialized court program designed to address the intersection of trauma and behavioral health issues among children and families involved in the child welfare system. The program involves collaboration between the judicial system and DCFS to provide coordinated treatment and services. The court order outlines the operational structure, jurisdiction, and procedural requirements for the Trauma Health Court, including provisions for case management, treatment planning, and judicial oversight. The order specifies that Northwestern University will provide research, evaluation, data collection and analysis, training, and technical assistance services in direct support of DCFS operations and the court program. A notice of intent to award this contract as a sole source to Northwestern University has been issued, with a public hearing period open for written comments or hearing requests until Friday, May 29, 2026 at 4 p.m.

The funding and implementation details indicate this is a specialized initiative requiring external expertise in trauma-informed care and behavioral health research. Northwestern University's role as the contracted service provider reflects the need for evidence-based evaluation and technical support to establish and sustain the Trauma Health Court operations. The sole source award justification appears grounded in the university's specialized expertise in trauma and behavioral health research relevant to child welfare populations. The contract structure emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making and continuous evaluation to support DCFS in delivering trauma-informed services to vulnerable children and families within the judicial system.