Illinois Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Councils

In 2018, IDHS/SUPR changed its name from the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) to the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR). In addition to removing stigmatizing language (substance abuse) from the Division's name, it supports the commitment of the Division for prevention of, and recovery from, substance use disorders. SUPR has made progress in reorienting the system from focusing solely on the traditional acute care approach to a chronic care approach. Shifting to a chronic care approach requires the entire system i.e., prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery management to embrace a recovery-oriented approach. Long term recovery from substance use disorders is dependent upon a continued connection to care and the delivery of services that are not only responsive to individuals' use of alcohol and other drugs, but their co-occurring trauma effects, mental health, physical health and ongoing recovery related concerns as well.

ROSC

ROSC is a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that is person-centered and builds on the strengths and resiliencies of individuals, families, and communities to achieve recovery and improved health, wellness, and quality of life for those with or at risk of substance use disorders. The central focus of a ROSC is to create an infrastructure, or "system of care", with the resources to effectively address the full range of substance use problems within communities. The goals of the Illinois ROSC include:

  • Building a culture that builds and nurtures recovery
  • Building capacity and infrastructure to support a recovery-oriented system of care
  • Developing commitment to implement and sustain a recovery-oriented system of care

ROSC Councils

In addition to developing a statewide ROSC, SUPR has implemented local ROSC Councils in eight communities through its Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care-Illinois Statewide Network (ROSC-ISN) program. This program established networked, geographically distributed ROSC Councils that will assist communities with building local recovery-oriented systems of care and that can network with the statewide ROSC. ROSC Councils build collaborations in their communities that connect everyone who can support recovery. This may include local hospitals, primary care, mental health, law enforcement, local business owners, local government representatives and policy makers, persons with lived experience and SUD intervention, treatment, prevention and recovery support service providers.

The ROSC-ISN project was designed to support each ROSC Council to set goals and objectives to develop and grow a ROSC in their community, specific to the needs of the community as defined in a needs assessment and a readiness assessment. Each ROSC Council has a "lead agency", an organization that is providing leadership for the Council and is supported by IDHS/SUPR. These funds support lead agency staff to organize the logistics of ROSC Council meetings, stipends to ensure the participation of persons with lived experience, and training costs. The size of each community is defined by the local ROSC Council.

The Lead Agencies of the ROSC Councils currently participate in a Monthly Learning Collaborative call to develop linkages with ROSC Councils throughout the state in order to develop a consistent and collaborative approach to a statewide ROSC. The Lead Agency will also participate in quarterly in-person statewide ROSC meetings in the Chicago area.

ROSC Councils

(Map: ROSC Map Nov 2019 (pdf)

For more information about joining a ROSC council, contact Johanna Gonzalez at Johanna.Gonzalez@Illinois.gov

Definitions

Lived Experience - Lived experience means personal knowledge about substance use disorder (SUD), including co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (COD), treatment, and recovery gained through direct involvement, which may include that individual's involvement as a patient, family member or loved one of a person receiving SUD/COD treatment services.

Recovery - A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. (SAMHSA Working Definition, https://store.samhsa.gov/product/SAMHSA-s-Working-Definition-of-Recovery/PEP12-RECDEF)

Recovery Community Cafés and Recovery Community Centers (RCCs) - These are physical locations where people in or seeking recovery can go to receive recovery support, meals, classes and/or referrals to other community resources focused on recovery. This is a safe space or "sanctuary" for people to "hang out" with other people in recovery, and RCC's may have structured activities as well. People do not live at these facilities, but rather RCC's can help individuals build recovery capital at the community level by providing advocacy, training, recovery information and resource mobilization. RCCs (Café's) and RCCs (Centers) are very similar, it is largely a choice of what they decide to call themselves and what network they affiliate with - Recovery Café Network (https://recoverycafe.org/about/share-our-model/) or Recovery Community Centers (https://ccar.us/services/recovery-community-centers/)

Recovery Community Organization (RCO) - RCOs are independent, non-profit organizations led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. (More information at https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/resources/recovery-community-organizations.html, particularly the "RCO Toolkit.")

ROSC Council - Local ROSC Councils are defined by IDHS/SUPR as local membership organizations that seek to improve the local ROSC and participate in the statewide ROSC Council. Membership includes individuals that live in the community as well as local hospitals, primary care, mental health, law enforcement, local business owners, local government representatives and policy makers, persons with lived experience and SUD intervention, treatment, prevention and recovery support service providers. The size and scope of the community is defined by the ROSC Council. ROSC Council leadership and organization styles may vary, but usually include one or more leaders with LIVED EXPERIENCE or "champions" that provide influence and direction.