Volume II, Issue X - April 2021 Newsletter

From:

David T. Jones, Director

Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Welcome New SUPR Staff

Maria Herrera has joined the SUPR team as a Contract Manager in the Bureau of Business and Fiscal Operations.

Jim Wilkerson has joined the SUPR team as the Administrator of Gambling Programs in the Bureau of Planning, Performance Assessment and Federal Programs.

Tamika Oliver has joined the SUPR team as the Grant Specialist for the Post-Partum Women's Grant and Federal Projects in the Bureau of Planning, Performance Assessment and Federal Programs.

We are excited to have them and continue to expand our SUPR team!

Free Mutual Aid Group

Frontline staff are facing unprecedented stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Advocates for Human Potential for a free mutual aid group to share experiences, feel supported and get resources. When: Tuesdays at 12pm (CT)

Gambling Webinars

The next gambling webinar will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 12pm CST. Please register for the upcoming webinar by clicking on the training title below:

Psychosocial Treatments: Motivational Interviewing & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Dr. David Ledgerwood

Coming in April

The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR) will be offering a training, Applying ASAM Guidelines and Levels of Care to Gambling Disorder, for the first time ever. This virtual training will be offered three times prior to the end of SFY2021. This two-hour training will provide clinicians with a basic understanding of the application of ASAM for gambling disorder treatment service.

Recovery Home Learning Collaborative

A re-occurring learning collaborative is starting in April for staff that work in licensed Recovery Homes to discuss best practices and brainstorm solutions to challenges faced in our recovery residences.

Upcoming topics include linking with area resources, staff credentialing/utilizing Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) & Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), responding to client relapse, harm reduction/medication assisted recovery (MAR), mental health/co-occurring disorders, Rule 2060 requirements, building recovery capital, increasing client engagement, supporting families, and increasing referrals.

If you or your staff are interested in learning more about the learning collaborative or are interested in attending, please contact Kim Sriner at Kimberly.Sriner@illinois.gov.

After High School: Talking with Your Young Adult About Underage Drinking

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator (SAMHSA) has published a great resource for parents with emerging adults in order to continue the conversation around alcohol use.

It is important for parents to understand that emerging adults are still influenced by these conversations and reinforcing messages as well as adjusting messages regarding alcohol use.

To view the fact sheet, please visit After High School: Talking With Your Young Adult About Underage Drinking.

Mental Health Information in Spanish

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers basic information on mental disorders and related topics in Spanish for patients and their families, health professionals and the public. Printed materials can be ordered free of charge and are available in bulk quantities for distribution at clinics, schools, and community events.

For more information and to order free copies, please visit Mental Health Information in Spanish.

Important Information on Fentanyl

In February 2018, DEA exercised its authority under the Controlled Substances Act to emergency schedule the entire class of fentanyl and related substances. DEA's class scheduling was set to expire in February 2020, but Congress extended the DEA's class scheduling authority for an additional 15 months.

The class-wide scheduling has drastically reduced the encounters of new analogue substances being introduced to and encountered in the illicit market. Class-wide scheduling has been enacted into state law and shown to be effective in Wisconsin and New York. Without congressional action, DEA's fentanyl class scheduling authority will lapse on May 6, 2021, essentially legalizing fentanyl-related substances throughout the country.

SUPR will keep our organizations informed as more information is shared and learned.

COVID-19 Exceptions

A gentle reminder that COVID-19 exceptions are still in effect and have no expiration date at this time. 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". To review the notice, please visit Telehealth Services Expansion Prompted by COVID-19.

IDHS/SUPR has also sent several communications regarding this exception. To review, please visit https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123240.

Recovery Residences Registry

The IDHS/SUPR Recovery Residence Registry has been moved to the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at https://helplineil.org/ 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 https://helplineil.org/app/account/opa_result.

Overdose Response Funding Updates

SUPR publishes a monthly report summarizing funded projects in response to the overdose crisis. We invite you to review the report at: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=105980.

Smart Alerts and Other Communications

DHS Coronavirus:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123118

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

Summary of SUPR Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27896/documents/IDHS-SUPR_Coronavirus_Summary_Index.pdf

Smart Alerts:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=42567

SUPR COVID-19 Communications:  https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123240