SUPR Staffing Update:
Rafael Rivera, PhD, MBA, CADC, CODP II, has accepted the role of SUPRs Chief of Staff. Dr. Rivera has served as SUPRs Deputy Director of the Bureau of Prevention Services for almost five years. In this role, he oversaw a team that manages three areas within the bureau: Substance Use Prevention Programs, Tobacco Prevention Programs, and Opioid Response and Prevention Services. He has a long history in the field, beginning in 1990 in direct mental health services and then as an administrator for substance use disorder prevention and treatment since 1996. Dr. Rivera is a Community Psychologist by training.
Kellie Gage has accepted the role as SUPRs Gambling Initiative Program Manager in the Bureau of Planning, Performance Assessment and Federal Programs.
Yu Shen has joined the SUPR team as a Grant Development and Implementation Specialist within the Bureau of Business and Fiscal Operations.
National Prevention Network (NPN) Alumni Award:
Kimberly "Kim" Fornero, IDH/SUPR's Administrator of Compliance and Monitoring, has received the annual National Prevention Network (NPN) Alumni Award, join us in congratulating her! Kim previously received the 2015 Ketty Award and now was awarded the 2022 Alumni Award for her years of stellar work in substance use disorder prevention, previously serving as NPN President.
The NPN Alumni Award has been presented annually since 2001 to a former member of the NPN who has continued his/her leadership in the field of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention, via other aspects of ATOD prevention such as research, program development, or prevention policy. This award acknowledges:
- Commitment and dedication to the NPN prevention philosophy
- Exceptional involvement in ATOD prevention after NPN
- Leadership within their related prevention field
Please join us in welcoming each member of the SUPR family into their new roles and congratulating Kim!
SIREN Notification- Colored Fentanyl:
A colorful version of Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been introduced to the illicit drug market and is being referred to as "colored" or "rainbow" fentanyl. Colored fentanyl is showing up in the form of pills closely resembling candy and colorful chalk.
Please see the attached SIREN (Rainbow Colored Fentanyl) and Recognizing Opioid Overdose Infographic from IDPH for more information.
National Recovery Month:
September is National Recovery Month! Recovery Month is a time to recognize the gains made by people in recovery and the real possibility of recovery for those seeking it.
Since 2020, Faces & Voices of Recovery has hosted the Recovery Month website, managed social media outreach, developed, and disseminated promotional materials and maintained the central location for all Recovery Month events. Visit Faces and Voices of Recovery to add your events!
Also, join IDHS and send us a picture of your team wearing PURPLE to Vanesa Villa at Vanesa.Villa@illinois.gov Let's proudly celebrate recovery in Illinois; #ILRecoveryBelongs
International Overdose Awareness Day & National Recovery Month 2022:
Governor JB Pritzker signed a 2022 International Overdose Awareness Day & National Recovery Month (2022) proclamation! See the attached International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month 2022 for detailed information!
Upcoming Trainings:
30-hour Basic Training for Problem Gambling In-Person Training:
When: October 11-14, 2022: 8:30am-4:30pm CST
(Doubletree by Hilton Libertyville-Mundelein, IL)
Please visit Illinois Council on Problem Gambling for registration information!
MAR NOW Chicago:
IDHS/SUPR and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched the MAR NOW pilot program. MAR NOW is no available statewide.
MAR NOW connects callers to immediate treatment for opioid use disorder, including telephonic prescription and home induction on buprenorphine or same-day clinic appointments for methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. MAR NOW can also connect patients to withdrawal management and behavioral health treatment.
For more information, visit the Medication Assisted Recovery (MAR) Expansion Smart Alert.
I Got Love/Siento Amor:
This summer Governor J.B. Pritzker launched the Statewide Early Childhood Enrollment campaign "I Got Love / ¡Siento Amor!" to help increase early childhood and care enrollment statewide.
This campaign is investing $12.7 million in amplifying information about Illinois' one-stop-shop for all things early childhood, the Illinois Cares for Kids website, which has a search engine for local programs, information on childcare subsidy programs, and many other resources on the importance of early learning. Illinois Cares for Kids is a place parents, grandparents, caretakers, teachers, and childcare providers can access all things related to early childhood in Illinois!
Public Awareness Campaigns:
The Bureau of Prevention Services supports the development of public awareness campaigns to inform the residents of Illinois of several issues. We work closely with Prevention First and their subcontractor on the development and dissemination of the following campaign to raise public awareness of these issues impacting IL residents.
The Rethink Recovery IL campaign is our public awareness campaign focused on encouraging people who use opioids to seek recovery through Medication Assisted Recovery (MAR). The campaign provides accurate information for people who use drugs and their families regarding the use of medications to treat Opioid Use Disorder. As with other campaigns, new themes are developed every three to six months and promoted through channels strategically chose to reach the targeted population.
Additionally, Rethink Recovery IL materials have been developed and made available to healthcare providers. Campaign videos can be found on YouTube. Check out our video, A New Gameplan!
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 simplify public inquiries for Recovery Residence. 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 quarterly 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
