Chicago Launches Street Psychiatry Program to Directly Reach Those with Complex Behavioral Health Needs

New field-based model, established in only a few U.S. cities, expands care beyond traditional clinical settings

CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will host an event formally announcing the implementation of the City of Chicago's first Street Psychiatry model. The event will include welcome remarks from CDPH and City leadership, an overview of the Healthy Chicago Mental Health Collective and field-based care, and featured remarks from Dr. Jim Withers, Dr. Sam Jackson, and Goldie Rodriguez highlighting Street Psychiatry from national, clinical, and peer perspectives. The event will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 12-4 pm at the South Shore Cultural Center, with the formal program beginning at 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided before the program.

The City of Chicago's Street Psychiatry model brings psychiatric and medical services directly to people in community settings to help close gaps in treatment and support continuity of care. CDPH designed the model around the needs of the City's highest-acuity population, specifically people experiencing homelessness or housing instability who are living with complex behavioral health needs and may not consistently connect with traditional care. The innovative behavioral health approach remains relatively uncommon nationwide, with Pittsburgh and Los Angeles among the few cities that have established similar models.

The new service is part of the Healthy Chicago Mental Health Collective (HC-MHC), CDPH's network of seven City of Chicago mental health clinics and more than 50 community providers. The Collective's care continuum also includes shelter-based care, encampment outreach and mobile behavioral health teams.

Together, these approaches extend care beyond traditional clinical settings to shelters, encampments, CTA transit areas and other community locations. The different models are designed to reach people with a range of medical, mental health, substance use and social needs, while creating more pathways to ongoing care.

HC-MHC street psychiatry services are provided by UIC Mile Square, in partnership with UIC's Community Outreach Intervention Project (COIP), the City of Chicago's Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (CARE) Team, and RUSH, in partnership with Above and Beyond.

Speakers:

• Dr. Garth Walker, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health
• Dr. Jim Withers, Founder, Street Medicine Institute
• Dr. Sam Jackson, Street Psychiatrist, Rush University
• Goldie Rodriguez, Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, UIC Community Outreach Intervention Project
• CDPH, health care and community partners

Time:

• Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• 12-4 pm
• Program begins at 1 pm

Location:

• South Shore Cultural Center
• 7059 S. South Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60649

Media:

• Attendance is limited to invited guests and members of the media. This event is not open to the general public. All media are welcome, and photo and interview opportunities will be available.

###