Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™
People. Resources. Stronger Communities.
We look upstream to identify risk, connect resources, and create opportunities for healthier, safer, and more resilient communities across Illinois.
OUR MISSION
Improving Lives
Through a Connected
Approach.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ is committed to improving health, safety, resilience, and quality of life by identifying risk earlier, reducing barriers, connecting people with resources, and developing practical solutions.
Our approach is simple:
Look upstream. Identify risk. Connect resources. Create solutions.
We don't believe communities should have to wait for a crisis before action begins.
Stronger
People.
Safer Communities. Brighter Futures.
From Prevention
to Prediction.
From Reaction
to Readiness.
From Crisis Response
to Proactive Wellness.
OUR STORY
From Research to
Community Action.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ grew from research examining the patterns
and circumstances that often exist before an adverse outcome occurs.
That research revealed an important question:
“What happens before the crisis?”
Too often, we focus on the event itself — the suicide, the overdose,
the illness, the violence, the family crisis, or another poor outcome — without fully examining the conditions that came before it.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ takes a different approach.
We look at the patterns, risks, barriers, protective factors, and available resources surrounding individuals and communities. The goal isn't simply to respond when something goes wrong; it's to recognize opportunities for action earlier.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ brings together research, education, community partnerships, and resource connections to help communities move from identifying problems to creating meaningful solutions.
Our work begins before the crisis.
FOUNDER & BOARD
The People Behind
the Mission.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ was founded by Dr. Olivia Johnson, a researcher, educator, investigator, and advocate whose work has focused on behavioral risk, suicide, first responder health, organizational wellness, and proactive risk mitigation.
Her work is grounded in a simple bellef:
“Understanding what happened requires understanding what came before it.”
— Dr. Olivia Johnson
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ extends that philosophy beyond individual cases and organizations to the broader community.
Our Board of Directors brings together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, expertise, and community connections.
Together, they help guide the organization and ensure our work
remains focused on the needs of the communities we serve.
Stronger Communities.
Brighter Futures.
— Dr. Olivia Johnson
Founder
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™
THE PREDICTIVE WELLNESS MODEL
A Different Way of Thinking
About Prevention.
The Predictive Wellness Model looks upstream.
Instead of waiting for a crisis or focusing only on the final outcome, we examine the conditions that may contribute to that outcome.
The goal is not to predict an individual's future
with certainty.
It is to recognize patterns of risk and opportunity early enough to take meaningful action.
The model considers:
Risk Factors
What vulnerabilities or challenges are emerging?
Protective Factors
What strengths and supports already exist?
Barriers
What is preventing people from getting the help they need?
Resources
What services
and supports are already available?
Gaps
What is missing?
Patterns
What are we beginning to see?
Opportunities
What can we change before the situation becomes a crisis?
ST. CLAIR COUNTY. ILLINOIS PILOT
Starting Local.
Thinking Statewide.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ is beginning its work in
St. Clair County, Illinois, through a community-based pilot of the Predictive Wellness Model.
The pilot provides an opportunity to better understand community identify resource gaps, strengthen connections among organizations, and develop practical strategies for earlier intervention.
St. Clair County, Illinois
We will look at:
Community needs
Risk factors
Protective factors
Barriers to services
Existing resources
Resource gaps
Opportunities for collaboration
Potential solutions
Start Local.
Learn What Works.
Measure
the Impact.
Build the Model.
Take It Statewide.
Why Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™
Because Communities
Cannot Solve What They Cannot See.
Every community has challenges. But every community also has people,
organizations, programs, resources, and strengths.
Sometimes the answer isn't creating another program.
Sometimes it's helping people find the program that already exists.
Sometimes it's identifying a gap.
Sometimes bringing two organizations together that didn't know they could help one another.
And sometimes it's recognizing a risk early enough that the outcome can be different.
That's where Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ comes in.
We identify. We connect. We educate. We collaborate. We act.
Our vision is a future where communities better equipped to recognize risk, access resources, strengthen protective factors, and act before a crisis becomes the only option.
Together. Communities. Brighter Communities.
THE C.A.R.E.S.™ APPROACH
Five Elements. One Purpose.
Community
Stronger communities through collaboration.
Advocacy
Elevate voices and advocate for change.
Resources
Connect people with services and programs.
Education
Practical, evidence-informed education.
Solutions
Turn insight into actionable solutions.