Volume II, Issue IV - October 2020 Newsletter

From:

Danielle L. Kirby, Director

Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Dr. Seth Eisenberg

It is with great sadness that we share the news of Dr. Seth Eisenberg's untimely passing in September of this year.

Dr. Seth Eisenberg was a well-versed clinical psychiatrist, behavioral healthcare consultant, and most importantly, an amazing friend and colleague to all that had the pleasure of knowing him. He has been a pillar to this field spanning forty years. His areas of expertise included the provision of medical leadership in state-funded addiction treatment systems, private psychiatric hospitals, not-for-profit community behavioral health agencies and university medical settings. In addition, Dr. Eisenberg was experienced in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, mental health diagnosis, integration of behavioral health and primary health care, motivational interviewing, brief interventions, recovery-oriented care and problem gambling. Dr. Eisenberg was also the founder and CEO of Recovery Rebooted LLC, which he established in 2011. Recovery Rebooted is a self-help recovery program based on individualized recovery management. Dr. Eisenberg has accomplished so many amazing things throughout his life, there are not enough words to describe the impact that he has left.

Dr. Eisenberg served as the Medical Director and Consultant at IDHS/SUPR until June of this year. He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him. While we do not have any further details at this time, please keep Dr. Eisenberg, his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Free Mutual Aid Group for Illinois Frontline Staff

Frontline staff are facing unprecedented stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Advocates for Human Potential for a free mutual aid group to share experiences, feel supported and get resources.

When: Tuesdays at 12pm (CT)

How Right Now Initiative

The How Right Now initiative aims to address people's feelings of grief, loss and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers information and support to help people cope and be resilient during this time. This initiative is made possible with funding through the CDC Foundation. Visit www.howrightnow.org to explore the resources.

Listening Session & Strategic Discussion Series

The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network and the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network facilitated a national online discussion and resource sharing opportunity in April, May and July (2020) for the substance use prevention, treatment and recovery workforces focused on emerging issues around social determinants of health and COVID-19. Take a virtual tour of these resources.

SAMHSA COVID-19 Training & Technical Assistance

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is committed to providing regular training and technical assistance (TTA) on matters related to the mental and substance use disorder field as they deal with COVID-19. View the updated TTA resources.

Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC)

Celebrating a successful Recovery Month would not be complete without thanking the ROSC councils for their undying and positive work in communities around the state! This program established networked, geographically distributed ROSC Councils that assist communities with building local recovery-oriented systems of care. Learn more about our ROSC councils at www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=117096. This month we are celebrating the McClean County ROSC but watch for other shout outs in the future. The McLean Co ROSC celebrated the end of Recovery Month with a presentation on the Multiple Styles of Spiritual Recovery.

The panelists shared experiences from Christian, Jewish, Islamic, 12 step, non-religious and Native American Wellbriety pathways of recovery and shared the commonalities of their recovery experiences. They also used a sign language interpreter.

In the medical field, when a person has a chronic disease diagnosis, the doctor presents the multiple ways the disease can be treated and the research on the effectiveness of each path. The doctors let the patient choose their pathway. We are continually moving towards this model in SUD recovery. This panel discussion was one more step in the direction of proving, through testimony, that there are multiple ways to recover. #RecoveryBelongsinIllinois

Healing Illinois

Healing Illinois is a racial healing initiative led by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust, designed to distribute $4.5 million in grants to organizations across the state to activate the work of racial healing.

Healing Illinois grants will fund programs in four areas:

  • Promoting Dialogue: conversations to build understanding and empathy
  • Encouraging Collaboration: activities that bring people together in-person or virtually to connect, act together on a project or idea
  • Facilitating Learning: activities designed to build or enhance knowledge
  • Seeding Connection: racial healing circles, peace circles or restorative justice activities

To register for the Healing Illinois launch event on October 6th (10:30am-12:30pm), please visit https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=126286.

Recovery Residences Registry

A reminder to recovery residences to register in the Recovery Residences Registry at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RR2019. The registration process allows Recovery Homes, Oxford Houses and other non-licensed sober living environments to update their information and make sure they are listed correctly on the registry. Information in the registry helps IDHS/SUPR better understand recovery residences' capacity and support for Medication Assisted Treatment. If you partner with a residence that is not listed, please invite them to register and/or contact Jennifer.Jennings@illinois.gov to list the organization. Visit the recovery residences registry at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=115597.

Rural Community Toolbox

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recently launched a new resource to support rural communities impacted by drug addiction. The Rural Community Toolbox is an on-line, interactive clearinghouse that helps rural leaders connect to funding, technical assistance and information resources for addiction from 16 federal departments and agencies all in one place. Also housed on the site, and released at the same time, is an updated Community Assessment Tool new data points include: Persistent Poverty, Broadband access, Economic Development Districts, SAMHSA approved Substance Use and Mental Health Facilities and a Prosperity Index.

OCR Updates

As of September 30, 2020, 25,428 persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) have been served through these Opioid Crisis Response (OCR) Grants. Updated OCR accomplishments are summarized each month at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=105980.

Smart Alerts and Other Communications

DHS Coronavirus:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123118

SAMHSA COVID-19:  samhsa.gov/coronavirus

The health, safety and well-being of all those we serve are amongst our highest priorities. Please visit the State of Illinois Coronavirus page at https://coronavirus.illinois.gov.

Summary of SUPR Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27896/documents/IDHS-SUPR_Coronavirus_Summary_Index.pdf 

Smart Alerts:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=42567

  •  State Opioid Response Funding
  •  Required FFATA Reporting Notification
  •  SUPR Executive Staff Announcement

SUPR COVID-19 Communications:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123240