April Newsletter

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the overdose crisis, and the country's labor shortage, Illinois' behavioral health system has seen extraordinary challenges.

But as we reflect on the challenges, we must also recognize the incredible work our organizations are doing. With your partnership, the State has implemented harm reduction strategies that prioritized patient safety and well-being; expanded medication first models of care; increased access to medication-assisted recovery for people who use opioids; established a new pathway for Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors; expanded mobile services and deflecting programs to support people using substances encountering law enforcement- and so much more.

Many of you have shared your commitment to reinvesting in your staff and incorporating promising practices that align with emerging substance use challenges.

Thank you for everything you are doing to meet Illinois' behavioral health needs! The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery is committed to supporting your efforts and maximizing every opportunity to strengthen our partnership to improve the lives of the people we serve.

SUPR STAFFING UPDATE

Shawna Colwell has joined the SUPR team as a Human Resource Representative in the Office of Chief of Staff. Shawna has had various experiences that will be beneficial in her new role. She is a retired Licensed Massage Therapist and owned and managed a bowling center and restaurant for 8 years! Prior to joining SUPR, Shawna spent six and half years at the Division of Rehabilitation Services where she served as a Human Services Caseworker and Rehabilitation Case Coordinator

Patrick Price has joined the SUPR team as the Administrator of Prevention and Program Services within the Bureau of Prevention. Patrick has been involved in public health since 1993 and has in- depth experience with substance use, mental health, and STI/HIB programming, planning, and prevention activities! Prior to joining SUPR, he managed HIV/Opioid Overdose Prevention grants at the Illinois Department of Public Health

LaKeshia Sumrall-Carr, fellow SUPR team member, has accepted the position of Block Grant Manager within the Office of Chief of Staff! LaKeshia is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She has been in the field of substance use since 2006, where her passion for the support and recovery process was ignited during her internship at Haymarket Center! She held counseling roles in various areas including substance use, parenting, trauma, health education and clinical program supervisor. LaKeshia joined IDHS in 2011 as a rehabilitation counselor and SUPR in 2014 as a post- payment auditor/compliance monitor. Since joining SUPR, she has held various positions! DUI Training, Technical Support and Monitoring Program Liaison in 2019 and Manager of Grant Management Support in 2021!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING FISCAL DATES

The last billing date for FY24 in the DARTS system will be August 5th, 2024, and the last date for expenditure-based vouchers will be July 15th, 2024. Please reach out to your grant manager if you have any questions!

UPCOMING TRAININGS

The Use of AI in Problem Gambling Prevention and Ethics Concerns

April 9th, 2024 | 1 PM CDT Presenter: Kasra Ghaharian, Ph.D. Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

As gambling operations and associated technologies evolve, so too do the methods to mitigate the harms associated with at-risk and problem gambling. This webinar provides an accessible introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), tailored to how these technologies are being deployed to identify individuals at-risk of problem gambling. With the capability to analyze vast amounts of data for indicators of at-risk behavior, AI and ML presents a promising tool for player protection.

However, the use of AI extends beyond safeguarding players; it also serves gambling operators' commercial interests. This dual use raises significant ethical questions: How do we balance the benefits of AI in protecting vulnerable players with the risks associated with data privacy, consent, and potential exploitation for profit? This session will unravel these complexities, examining the ethical considerations of AI use within the gambling industry.

Illinois Certification Board - PCGC Credential Overview

April 23rd, 2024 | 10 AM CDT

Presenter: Dianne Williams, ICB Senior Operations

This session will have an overview of how to apply for the ICB Problem Compulsive Gambling Certification (PCGC) credential with a question-and-answer opportunity for all attendees as well. Pending CE Credit from the Illinois Certification Board.

2024 CRSS/CPRS Competency Training

The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health has announced that it will once again be offering annual CRSS/CPRS Competency Training series in 2024, and it will continue to be presented in six, half-day sessions.

  • Each session will be offered 3 different days and times during the week to allow participants to select the most convenience time to attend.
  • Participants are not required to attend all sessions. Each session's material is independent of the others, and there are no prerequisites.
  • Sessions 1-4 focus on the CRSS & CPRS Domains (Advocacy, Professional/Ethical Responsibility, Mentoring/Education, Recovery/Wellness Support), and Sessions 5-6 focus on CRSS/CPRS Ethics. Additional details available at this PDF link.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: Register NOW to secure your spot!

NEW SAMHSA FINAL REGULATION IMPACTS OTPS (42 CFR PART 8)

On February 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), published the final revisions to 42 CFR Part 8, Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. The regulation becomes effective on April 2, 2024 and requires compliance no later than October 2, 2024. There are nine major areas of changes, including removal of stigmatizing language and support of person-first care, and permanently allows flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency such as telehealth and take-home requirements. IDHS/ SUPR is reviewing the regulation and expects to provide guidance and training. Additional resources can be accessed on SAMHSA's website.

ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION FOR CANNABIS VAPING RECORDED WEBINAR

Our February 6 webinar with Dr. Bonnie-Halpern-Felsher, Stanford REACH Lab, has been posted to the Cannabis Policy Resource Center website for viewing.

Vaping has become a significant public health concern, and youth using on-campus challenges schools and communities to create effective policies and response strategies. When intervention is  warranted, the use of alternatives to suspension programs has been shown to have a greater effect than removing students from school. This webinar describes the frameworks of alternatives to suspension programs, demonstrates their effectiveness, and displays Stanford REACH's cannabis vaping alternatives to suspension program, Healthy Futures.

Click here to view the recording.

COMPLIANCE MATTERS

Thank you to organizations that participated in CapMan system use phone interviews!

Thank you to the following organizations that took time to meet with IDHS/SUPR staff about their Capacity Management system (CapMan) use. Your time and contribution are valuable as we design and prepare to deliver a CapMan training planned for April. Stay tuned for more information on dates and access to the training!

  • Family Guidance Centers, Inc.
  • Gateway Foundation, Inc., Springfield
  • Remedies Renewing Lives
  • Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc. (Adult)
  • Lake County Health Department - Women's Residential Services
  • Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. - Harriet Tubman Women's Residential Treatment
  • Rosecrance, Inc. - Women's Short-Term Program
  • Rincon Family Services
  • Pilsen Wellness Center, Inc. (Pilsen Little Village Community Mental Health Center, Inc.)

As a reminder…

All funded IDHS/SUPR organizations delivering Level of Care 3.5 services and opioid treatment programs (OTPs) must use CapMan to manage your capacity and waitlist(s). To update your organization's status, log into your Provider Portal account at IL Helpline Provider Portal and click PROVIDERS (top right side of Homepage).

Keep Personal Information Safe

SUPR has been informed that an out-of-state organization may be recruiting people and offering free flights to its 120-day substance-use rehabilitation center. When a person expresses interest in their services, they request sensitive personal information such as dates of birth, social security numbers, and tax filing details, stating they needed it to get insurance approved through their broker.

Concern exists that these recruiters may be preying upon the individuals we serve. We encourage our treatment organizations to inform the people they serve of the dangers of sharing personal information with anyone who is not required to keep it confidential.