From:
David T. Jones, Director
Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Welcome New SUPR Staff
Shamarie Asianaye Jones has joined the SUPR team as an intern from the University of Chicago, Institute of Politics' Urban Policy and Research Program (UPReP) and will assist in the Bureau of Prevention Services.
Bethany Judson has joined the SUPR team as an intern from the University of Chicago, Institute of Politics' Urban Policy and Research Program (UPReP) and will assist in the Bureau of Planning, Performance Assessment and Federal Programs.
We are excited to have them and continue to expand our SUPR team!
Problem Gambling Awareness Month
For the nineteenth year, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG), in collaboration with the National Council on Program Gambling (NCPG) dedicates the month of March to helping those in need who suffer from gambling problems. The campaign theme "Awareness + Action" is all about taking action and having conversations about problem gambling issues and directing people to the help they may need.
Approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) are estimated to meet criteria for gambling disorder. Another 4-6 million (2-3%) are considered to meet criteria for problem gambling. Yet, for many residents of the U.S., gambling remains a hidden addiction.
IDHS/SUPR is the state agency principally responsible for the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders in Illinois. IDHS/SUPR treatment organizations that provide gambling treatment and outreach services will be sponsoring educational opportunities and events for Illinois residents during the entire month of March. This year, National Screening Day will be held on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021. For more information on all PGAM events, please visit https://weknowthefeeling.org.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or text ILGAMB to 53342. You can also visit https://weknowthefeeling.org for more information about problem gambling and how to increase awareness and action on problem gambling.
Upcoming Gambling Webinars
The Illinois Council on Problem Gambling is hosting 4 FREE webinars during the month of March in honor of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. All webinars will be held from 1:00-2:30PM CST. To register, please click on the title you wish to attend.
March 5, 2021: My Personal Story of My Recovery from a Gambling Disorder
March 12, 2021: How I Gambled My Freedom Away!
March 19, 2021: LGBTQ & Gambling Disorder
March 26, 2021: True Story- How I Gambled my Career Away!
Cannabis Legalization and Expungement Training
In 2019, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act was signed into law. In addition to decriminalizing possession of marijuana, the Act has been heralded as the most equity-centric legislation in the country because it creates a process to expunge past cannabis convictions. On Thursday, April 1st at 9:00am CST, Equip for Equality will provide a free legal rights training on the new law via zoom.
Free Mutual Aid Group
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)
Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment & Recovery
As we celebrate Black History Month, let's not forget the wonderful resource that Illinois' beloved trainer Mark Sanders curates, Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery.
This online museum is a wealth of information about African American substance use disorders treatment and recovery. Please share and explore as what you learn may inform and improve the services that you provide.
Substance Use Prevention Program Map
Are you curious or seeking to find substance use prevention services in your community? If so, check out the Substance Use Prevention Programs map of IDHS/SUPR Prevention grantees at https://www.prevention.org/provider-directory/.
Illinois also has 30 Drug Free Communities grantees who are directly funded by the CDC. These grantees work with community coalitions to address substance use prevention needs in their communities. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/drug-free-communities/coalitions.html.
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
