About
The Chicago Strategic Action Council (CSAC) is a community-driven initiative to advance equitable prevention strategies across Chicago. Grounded in our theory of change, the CSAC outlines a clear path from shared goals to measurable impact by identifying key drivers of change, addressing root causes, and aligning community efforts toward long-term outcomes.
The CSAC operates under the collective impact model, bringing together diverse stakeholders—including service providers, funders, and community leaders—to collaborate through structured, cross-sector partnerships. By fostering coordination, innovation, and shared learning, the CSAC empowers communities to create lasting systemic change that improves the health and well-being of historically underserved communities.
We Amplify Prevention
Established in 2020 through a partnership between the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and Prevention First, the CSAC strengthens youth- and family-centered prevention services across Chicago. CSAC prioritizes Chicago’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, which comprise 80% of the city’s population. These neighborhoods are especially concentrated on the South and West Sides, where residents face systemic barriers, economic hardship, and limited access to health and prevention resources. Our robust theory of change outlines the strategies we use to improve long-term community well-being.
As the backbone organization, Prevention First coordinates the CSAC’s 20+ partner organizations. Our work is guided by our four priority areas, identified through a collaborative planning process:
Improving service quality through professional development and shared quality standards.
Advocating for equitable, sustainable funding aligned with evolving community needs.
Building a connected prevention network across funders, providers, and grassroots partners.
Ensuring prevention services are culturally responsive and aligned with community needs.
Our Workgroups
Launched in 2025, the CSAC operates through four targeted workgroups, each focused on addressing a specific challenge within Chicago’s prevention ecosystem.
Improved Service Quality
The Improved Service Quality workgroup aims to strengthen prevention workforce capacity, enhance leadership development, and raise service delivery standards.
Workgroup Members
Funding and Strategic Alignment
The Funding and Strategic Alignment workgroup aims to change how funding is allocated in prevention efforts. It advocates for more equitable and flexible funding models that accurately reflect the true cost of prevention.
Workgroup Members
Coordinated Response
The Coordinated Response workgroup aims to eliminate silos and create a seamless, integrated ecosystem for prevention services across Chicago.
Workgroup Members
Culturally Responsive Prevention Methodology
The Culturally Responsive Prevention Methodology workgroup aims to ensure all prevention services and strategies are trauma-informed and grounded in the lived experiences of Chicago’s diverse communities.
Workgroup Members
CSAC Developed Tools
Prevention Makes Cents
Prevention Makes Cents makes the economic case for upstream substance use prevention in Illinois. By translating the long-term public costs of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and substance use disorder (SUD) into financial terms, this report illustrates why investing in prevention is both a moral imperative and a sound fiscal strategy.
Shared Quality Standards
Developed by the Improved Service Quality workgroup, the Shared Quality Standards offer a reflective framework for assessing and strengthening prevention service delivery. Spanning key domains, including transportation, school engagement, community expansion, and youth and family involvement, this document supports prevention providers in identifying what is working well and where there is room to grow.
Prevention Ecosystem Map
Developed by the Coordinated Response workgroup, the Chicago Prevention Ecosystem Map illustrates the network of organizations, agencies, and sectors working together to support Chicago youth. This visual resource captures how prevention service providers, funders, public systems, and community organizations interconnect, and how the CSAC serves as a convener and feedback loop across the ecosystem.
Get Involved
Join the CSAC as a co-creator of lasting change. Your knowledge, expertise, and voice are vital to shaping the future of Chicago’s prevention ecosystem.