June 2023 Newsletter
SUPR Staffing Update:
James Kowalsky has joined the SUPR team as the Integrated Recovery Support Services Administrator in the Bureau of Planning, Performance Assessment, and Federal Programs. James worked for the Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) for the past two years; he managed an HIV Prevention grant that funds risk-based HIV testing, HCV and STI testing, behavioral interventions, linkage to care, and harm reduction services like counseling and syringe distribution. James worked at SUPR before joining DPH, supporting the development of overdose prevention services.
Before joining the state government, he delivered homeless outreach services and provided training and technical assistance on topics like Harm Reduction, Housing First, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Informed Care. James has a Master's in Social Work from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in African American Studies at Northwestern University. Please join us in welcoming James back to SUPR!
On June 1, 2023, Dr. Donell Barnett joined the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) as the Behavioral Health Advisor. Before joining SUPR, Dr. Barnett was the Deputy Director for Mental Health Clinical Operations in the Division of Mental Health. He served as the District Director of Specialized Student Services at City Colleges of Chicago and as an Active-Duty Army Psychologist for nine years.
He received his BA in psychology from Langston University, an MS in counseling from the University of North Texas, and his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Oklahoma State University. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in strategic management from the Harvard University School of Extension Studies.
Dr. Barnett is the President of The Association of Black Psychologists and holds the rank of Major in the US Army and US Army Reserves. He is a combat Veteran (Iraq and Afghanistan) who served nine years of active duty and continues to serve our country as an active member of the US Army Reserves (11 years); he was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal twice (2020 and 2014), the Meritorious Service Medal (2018), the US Army Achievement Medal (2015), and the Bronze Star (2012). Please join us in thanking Dr. Barnett for his service to our country!
Upcoming Behavioral Health Webinar:
Hoops, Hurdles and Holdups: Overcoming Private Insurance Barriers for Behavioral Health Providers- A free, live webinar presented by the Kennedy Forum and U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration.
FY23 Final Payment & Data Submission:
IDHS/SUPR is issuing this gentle reminder that final FY2023 submissions for all non-Medicaid SUPR funded services are due by 5:00pm on August 7, 2023. All manual vouchers for Expense Based Grants must be submitted by 5:00pm on July 15, 2023.
Please share this notification with each applicable staff in your organization. Questions concerning this requirement can be directed to DoIT.SUPRHELP@illinois.gov.
DEA Extension:
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has extended its broader public health emergency telehealth prescribing rules. The pandemic rules which allow prescribers to start treatment with controlled substances via telemedicine are extended through November 11, 2023. The DEA's new rule took effect on May 12, 2023. Critical to know, patients who have an established telemedicine relationship on or before Nov. 11, 2023, will be extended for an additional year, through Nov. 11, 2024.
This is a temporary win for equitable medical treatment since many people were able to receive treatments, including treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) who are homebound or live in areas that are SUD treatment deserts. To read DEA Administrator Milgram's full statement, please visit COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities.
ASAM Feedback Requested:
ASAM is interested in gathering feedback from SUPR's licensed SUD treatment organizations! The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) developed and periodically updates The ASAM Criteria, including the ASAM CONTINUUM, which is a standardized, computer guided ASAM Criteria multidimensional assessment software for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring conditions.
ASAM is seeking feedback to guide the development of CONTINUUM's next iteration and meet the clinical and technological needs of organization providing services to address SUDs and CODs. With the upcoming release of the ASAM Criteria 4th edition, IDHS/SUPR is sharing information about ASAM's survey that will help them gain a better understanding of the clinical needs and technological priorities of organizations treating individuals with SUDs and CODs. The survey is 13 questions and should take less than 15 minutes to complete.
To complete the survey, please visit ASAM Continuum.
SUPR encourages you to complete the survey as this feedback will help ASAM improve the field of addiction medicine.
SAMHSA & FDA Issue Medication First Model Letter:
SAMHSA and the FDA have issued a Dear Colleague Letter promoting the Medication First model! To read the full letter, please visit Dear Colleague Letter.
CRSS-YA Endorsement:
The Certified Recovery Support Specialist Young Adult (CRSS-YA) Endorsement Model and Endorsement Application are now live!
Recovery Trainings:
IDHS/SUPR has partnered with Faces and Voices of Recovery to assist in the expansion of recovery community organizations (RCO) across the state.
Part of this expansion involves providing free trainings to providers and community stakeholders on recovery topics. For more information about Faces and Voices Illinois project, training calendars, and registration information, please visit Illinois Recovery Project.
Please share these trainings widely within your agencies and communities. If you have questions or would like to discuss starting a recovery community organization in your community, please contact Kim Sriner at Kimberly.Sriner@illinois.gov .
COVID-19 Exceptions:
The state's public health emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, 2023, aligning the state with the federal government's decision to end the PHE.
Visit SUPR's Governor Pritzker Ends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Proclamation Smart Alert for the status of COVID-19 exceptions.
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
