The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR) Access to Medication Assisted Recovery (A-MAR) Project broadens services in MAR "deserts" in Illinois. MAR deserts are counties with no local access to evidence-based Medication Assisted Recovery- counties with no providers who are approved and actively dispensing or prescribing methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone
Despite evidence of the potential benefits of Medication Assisted Recovery, currently available resources are inadequate to meet the need for these treatment services. SUPR licenses outpatient methadone treatment (OMT) providers in Illinois. Methadone is one of three medications that have been approved to treat opioid-use disorders. Physicians who complete a SAMHSA-approved training program can become waivered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to treat patients with opioid use disorders (OUD) with the medication buprenorphine. The third medication approved for OUD treatment, naltrexone, may be prescribed by any licensed physician/prescriber.
Through IDHS/SUPR-funded pilot projects, MAR network models (Hub and Spoke) are being implemented in areas of Illinois that currently have relatively few treatment resources for persons with opioid use disorders (MAR "deserts"). This model is a nationally recognized, evidence-based approach to create networks of services to treat clients with an OUD.
- A Hub is a regional opioid treatment center responsible for coordinating the care and support services for patients who have complex substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. Patients who need methadone must be treated here. Patients who need buprenorphine or naltrexone may be treated here. Hubs are indicated with an X on the map below.
- A Spoke is a primary care practice, specialty practice or health center responsible for coordinating the care and support services for patients with opioid use disorders who have less complex medical needs. Only patients who are treated with buprenorphine or naltrexone receive treatment in the spokes.
- Depending on the patient's needs, Support Services may include mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment, pain management, family supports, life skills, job development, and recovery supports.
The following organizations are A-MAT Hubs. The counties included in each network are color-coded on the map below
Centerstone of Illinois will be targeting services to counties surrounding Marion, Illinois including Williamson, Johnson, Franklin, Saline, Jackson and Union.
Family Guidance Centers, Inc. will be targeting services to counties surrounding Springfield, Illinois including Sangamon, Christian, Morgan, Logan and Mason.
Robert Young Center will be targeting services to counties surrounding Rock Island, Illinois including Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Start, Putnam, Marshall, Warren, Henderson, and Hancock.
Chestnut Health Systems will be targeting services to counties surrounding Granite City, Illinois including Madison, Jersey, Montgomery, Bond, and Clinton.
Mathers Recovery will be targeting services to communities surrounding Oswego, Illinois in Kendall County
For further information regarding these grants or the Hub and Spoke Model, you may contact the Project Director, Barbara Cimaglio at Barbara.Cimaglio@illinois.gov.
Resources :
IDPH Opioid Data Dashboard
New Grantees Orientation Slides (Hub & Spoke Kickoff) (pdf)
