From: David T. Jones, Director
Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Welcome New SUPR Staff
Elias Palacios has joined the SUPR team as the Administrator of Tobacco Prevention Programs in the Bureau of Prevention Services.
Christina Miller has joined the SUPR team as a Contract Manager in the Bureau of Business and Fiscal Operations.
Logan McHenry has joined the SUPR team as a University of Illinois Springfield - Graduate Public Service Intern and will focus on data analysis capabilities and improvements.
We are excited to have them and continue to expand our SUPR team!
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)
Illinois Gambling Webinar
Please register for the upcoming webinar below by clicking on the title of the training.
February 9, 2021: Talk'in 'Bout My Generation: Generational Differences in Gambling Behavior and Attitudes with Don Feeney
March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)! IDHS/SUPR, in conjunction with the Illinois Gambling Disorder Treatment Provider Network, are preparing plans for participation in the 2021 PGAM in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling.
The goals of this national campaign are to increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery service.
The 2021 PGAM theme is "Awareness + Action" #AwarenessPlusAction.
Reaching Youth at Risk for Substance Use and Misuse
IDHS/SUPR encourages organizations targeting adolescents and transitional-aged youth to consider participating in this great opportunity.
NASADAD, with support from the Hilton Foundation, is releasing a resource guide and hosting a virtual training on early intervention resources and practices for adolescents and transitional-aged youth. Early intervention (EI) strategies seek to identify youth who are at risk for substance use and misuse and to stop, or reduce, use before it escalates. Research indicates that early intervention can reduce youth substance use, misuse and related problems before more severe conditions occur (National Academy of Sciences, 2015). Yet, early intervention has received less focus than other parts of the substance use continuum. Upon completing this training, participants will have a better understanding of:
- The need for more early intervention programs for adolescents and transitional-aged youth.
- The national landscape of early intervention programs and services.
- Detailed examples of early intervention programs in three states.
- How to use the "Reaching Youth at Risk for Substance Use and Misuse" Resource Guide to develop local EI programs and services.
Illinois Family Resource Center
The Illinois Family Resource Center (IFRC) offers technical assistance, in-service workshops and training for SUPR providers, human service workers and interested community organizations in regard to supporting families who are experiencing substance use disorder and/or mental health issues. The technical services will be delivered virtually or by phone until in-person is appropriate, and webinars will be offered in the spring. CEU's are provided for the majority of services. For more information on the IFRC, visit https://illinoisfamilyresources.org/.
To request services or for questions, contact coordinator Nancy Phillips, M.S.Ed.-PSY, CAADC, CFPP, at ceadnancyp@consolidated.net or call 217-649-8812 (cell).
Illinois Alliance to Reduce Underaged Drinking
IDHS/SUPR Bureau of Prevention Services has heard directly from youth attending the IDHS/SUPR Illinois Alliance to Reduce Underaged Drinking (managed by Prevention First's Alcohol Policy Resource Center) about the increase they see in anxiety and sadness in their peers and themselves. We have partnered to collect information for parents to support their young people through posted resources on Prevention First's website.
There are a variety of substance use prevention resources available through Prevention First, including the parent resources. To view the resources, please visit Prevention First.
New Grant Learning Management System
A new Grant Learning Management System workshop was developed in 2020 by IDHS with support from the University of Illinois Springfield and Luma Brighter Learning. The purpose of the workshop is to break down the grant process into simple steps in order to clearly articulate to participants what it means to be in compliance with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) of 2014, 30 ILCS 708/1 et seq.
By law, GATA requires the adoption of federal rules (the Uniform Guidance) in Illinois grant making. GATA was created to ensure a coordinated, transparent process for efficient oversight of grant recipient selection and monitoring. The process also promotes quality programs and limits fraud, waste and abuse. Participants will leave the experience seeing that GATA is a process that is approachable, doable and specifically, participants will see that anyone can complete the process.
An attachment has been included with this newsletter that provides detailed instructions and information you will need to access this essential training.
This training is free to anyone interested and has no limit to the number of people in your organization that may complete it.
HHS Buprenorphine Practice Guidance Update (on hold*)
In direct response to the opioid epidemic, and in an effort to increase access to opioid treatment, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder.
These Guidelines eliminate the requirement that physicians with a DEA registration number apply for a separate waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Methadone is not included in this update.
Major points include:
- Physicians limited to 30 patients from the states in which they practice.
- Patient charts to be maintained separately.
- Prescriptions to be marked with an X identifying them as being written for opioid use disorder.
For additional information, please contact Richard.Weisskopf@illinois.gov.
*new administration exploring implementation
COVID-19 Exceptions
A gentle reminder that COVID-19 exceptions are still in effect and have no expiration date at this time. Services delivered through Telehealth are still acceptable.
Please review the Provider Notice from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) dated March 20, 2020, "Telehealth Services Expansion Prompted by COVID-19". To review the notice, please visit Telehealth Services Expansion Prompted by COVID-19.
IDHS/SUPR has also sent several communications regarding this exception. To review, please visit https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123240.
Recovery Residences Registry
The IDHS/SUPR Recovery Residence Registry has been moved to the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at https://helplineil.org/ to streamline searches, rather than looking in a separate place for recovery residence information. Information in the registry helps IDHS/SUPR better understand recovery residences' capacity and support for Medication Assisted Recovery. If you partner with a residence that is not listed, please invite them to register and/or contact Kimberly.Sriner@illinois.gov to list the organization. Search the recovery residences registry at https://helplineil.org/app/account/opa_result.
Overdose Response Funding Updates
SUPR publishes a monthly report summarizing funded projects in response to the overdose crisis. We invite you to review the report 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
SUPR COVID-19 Communications: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123240
