June Newsletter

Director's Message

In June there is so much to recognize and celebrate. On June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also called Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and notified the people still enslaved there that the Civil War was over, and that they were free. Let's celebrate Black resiliency and significant achievements while promoting racial and personal advancement since Freedom Day on June 19 and every day of the year. Happy Juneteenth!

In addition, June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month! The first pride parade in Illinois occurred in 1970-a year after the Stonewall riots. Some quick Illinois highlights:

  • Illinois has provided benefits to same-sex partners of State employees since 2006.
  • A bill was signed into law in July 2021 that gave people the option of a gender-neutral marriage certificate.
  • In January 2023, a bill was passed to "legally protect and defend gender-affirming care" in Illinois and for anyone coming from outside Illinois to seek gender-affirming services in the State.
  • Same-sex marriage was legalized by statute in November 2013 and went into effect on June 1, 2014.

We thank the people and activists from the LGBTQ+ community, whose activism has led to the achievements we celebrate today. However, there is still so much to be accomplished; the stigma and biases that perpetuate violence against the community still exist. We stand with the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month and throughout the year!

SUPR Staffing Update

Douglas Washington has joined the SUPR team as Manager of Contract Development & Analysis within the Office of Opioid Settlement Administration. Douglas comes to SUPR as a committed public servant to the diverse communities in Illinois for over 33 years! He has served in various roles within the private and public child welfare sectors and among community- based stakeholders. Douglas holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling.

Ivor Bajalo has joined the SUPR team as Administrative Assistant within the Bureau of Business and Fiscal Operations. Ivor attended Northeastern Illinois University where he received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in History in 2014 and 2024, respectively. He was introduced to social work while residing in Albany, New York, where he served as an Eligibility Examiner in the Medicaid Division!

2024 Art of Recovery Project

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced the launch of the 2024 Art of Recovery project. The initiative highlights the impact of art on mental health and substance use recovery, showcasing how creative expression can serve as a pathway to solace, healing, and empowerment. The project solicits submissions, including artwork and a brief description of the artist's inspiration, from artists with lived or living recovery experience. Submissions are open until June 28, with categories for youth 13-17 and adults 18+. Artists may submit in two categories: painting/drawing/mixed media, and photography.

Important Upcoming Fiscal Dates

Fiscal Billing Deadlines

The last billing date for FY24 in the DARTS system will be August 5th, 2024, and the last date forexpenditure-based vouchers will be July 15th, 2024.

FY-25 Award Execution Update

In addition, there is a new EMAIL FOR RETURNING SIGNATURE PAGES DHS.OCA.SignaturePages@illinois.gov.

How to locate Signature Page to Print and Sign

  1. Log into CSA
  2. Click the Contracts tab making sure to select fiscal Year 2025
  3. The select your contract amendment and print page 1 and 2.
  4. Sign those pages and return to DHS.OCA.SignaturePages@illinois.gov and CC' your Grant Manager

Upcoming Trainings

Connections in Prevention Conference

Prevention First invites you to attend their Connections in Prevention conference, September 26-27, 2024, in Naperville. You'll learn from experts and each other about issues, current trends, and innovative practices that promote healthy environments, resiliency, and equity among youth, adults, and communities. They will have programming for all professionals who work across the continuum of care, including prevention, treatment, recovery, mental health, school-based personnel, and community-based organizations.

Early bird registration is open NOW through July 26, 2024.

If you have any questions, please email conference@prevention.org.

Compliance Matters

Capacity Management (CapMan) System Reminder for SUPTRS BG-Funding Organizations

This is a very important time of year for our Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS BG) funded organizations. As you are initiating your FY25 award, please make sure you read through your contract exhibits.

Please note:

  • All SUPR-funded organizations that provide residential treatment (level 3.5) and opioid treatment programs (OTPs) are required to report in CapMan daily.
  • You will find language about Awardee requirements and compliance in Exhibit A - Project Description.

Helpline Provider Portal - Capacity Management/Waiting List: The organization shall update their program/ site information within the Illinois Helpline provider portal at least once per fiscal year or more often if there is a change to a program's description/intake hours/etc. The organization shall report capacity information for residential and/or outpatient methadone treatment to the Capacity Management System ("CAPMAN") daily. Reporting shall occur in a manner specified by the Department. The organization agrees to make every reasonable effort to locate and effect referrals to appropriate services for any patient who is specified as a priority service population as described herein, before placing such patient on a waiting list. Organizations shall maintain a documented record system, which includes patient locating information for patients it has placed on a waiting list.

If you or your organization were unable to attend the CapMan Training held April 30, 2024, click and review this Webex link.

For questions or a copy of the PowerPoint slides or registration material for the Illinois Helpline Provider Portal, please contact LaKeshia.Sumrall-Carr@illinois.gov.

Tuberculosis (TB) Facts

To help ensure TB remains a priority for SUPR-licensed organizations, educational and compliance related information about it will be provided periodically. The following information is from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

What is TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

How is TB spread?

TB bacteria is spread through the air from one person to another. When a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings, TB bacteria can get into the air. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

It is important for all SUPR-licensed organizations to educate individuals who are receiving substance use disorder treatment services.

All patients receiving services from a licensed IDHS/SUPR organization are required to receive TB education, per Administrative Rule Part 2060. SUPTRS Block Grant funded organizations must report these services in DARTS.

Please contact the IDHS/SUPR Help Desk at DoIT.SUPRHelp@illinois.gov or fax at 217-558-4656 if you have questions regarding DARTS reporting.