Volume III, Issue I - July 2021 Newsletter

From:  David T. Jones, Director
Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

SUPR Staffing Update

Laura Garcia, who has served as the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Licensure, Compliance and Monitoring since 2018, has accepted the role of Chief of Staff within SUPR.

Laura Garcia

Christina Smith has joined the SUPR team as a Grant Manager in the Bureau of Business and Fiscal Operations.

Christina Smith

We are excited to welcome both members into their new roles within the SUPR family!

FY 2021 Final Payment and Data Submission

A reminder that the FY 2021 final submission due date for billing all non-Medicaid Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) funded services is August 2, 2021 by 5:00 PM. It is critically important that DARTS or manual billing errors be resolved when they occur as delays in billing reconciliation from the vendor that result in non-accepted or late submissions will not be eligible for payment through the court of claims.

Please see the Smart Alert that was sent in February for additional important details.

National Conference on Gambling Addiction and Responsible Gambling

On behalf of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) is excited to announce this year's National Conference on Gambling Addiction and Responsible Gambling 2021.

The conference is being held virtually, July 14-15 and July 21-22, 2021 from 12:00pm-4:00pm EST.

We invite you to explore the NCPG National Conference site for updated information on registration, the schedule, speakers bios, workshop topics and descriptions.

DMH Certified Recovery Support Specialist/Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Trainings

Last month, we shared that the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health will be hosting six equivalent virtual training opportunities. Below you will find the registration information for Sessions 3 & 4. Please review our June Newsletter for other important information.

Please register for only one session in each section. To register, click on the training date and time below you wish to attend.

Session 3:  July 19 (AM), July 21 (PM), July 23 (AM)

Session 4:  July 26 (AM), July 28 (PM), July 30 (AM)

**Remaining session dates will be included in future Newsletters

AM Sessions will be held 9:00am-12:00pm

PM Sessions will be held 1:00pm-4:00pm

For more information about future CPRS/CRSS trainings or ways these credentials can be used in substance use, please contact Kim Sriner (Kimberly.Sriner@illinois.gov).

FY 2021 Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Full-Time Service Opportunities

The Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) will pay up to $250,000 to awardees in exchange for six years of full-time employment that involves direct treatment or recovery support of patients with or in recovery from a substance use disorder. Awardees will receive a lump sum payment totaling the principal of and interest on each eligible loan outstanding on the date the individual began service, up to $250,000.

Full details are available in the Application and Program Guidance document.

Applicants should be aware of the following key dates:

  • Application Submission Deadline:  July 22, 2021, 7:30pm EST
  • Employment Start Date:  July 22, 2021
  • Notification of Aware:  On or before September 30, 2021

COVID-19 Exceptions

A gentle reminder that COVID-19 exceptions are still in effect and have no expiration date currently. 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"

IDHS/SUPR has also sent several communications regarding the COVID-19 Exception that you can review.

Recovery Residences Registry

The IDHS/SUPR Recovery Residence Registry has been moved to the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances 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 any time.

Overdose Response Funding Updates

SUPR publishes a monthly report summarizing funded projects in response to the overdose crisis. We invite you to review the Overdose Response Funding Report at your convenience.

Smart Alerts and Other Communications

DHS Coronavirus

SAMHSA COVID-19:  The health, safety, and well-being of all those we serve are amongst our highest priorities. Please visit the State of Illinois Coronavirus page.

Summary of SUPR Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Smart Alerts

SUPR COVID-19 Communications