Oct-Nov 2022- What's Happening in the World of Behavioral Health?

Issue 4

Oct-Nov 2022

Welcome

Hello, fellow Illinoisans!

It is hard to believe that November is upon us. As we look ahead to the new year, I would be remiss if we did not acknowledge and celebrate the good work that happened in October and November.

During October, we celebrated The World Mental Health Day, a day acknowledged around the world to shatter stigma and mobilize mental health awareness campaigns internationally. I also had the opportunity to speak at the2022 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Statewide Conference, held in person for the first time in two years. NAMI's Executive Director Andy Wade and his staff convened an excellent conference. NAMI Illinois is a tremendous partner, with resources available to all Illinoisans, and I encourage you to look at their website and utilize their resources as appropriate.

November recognizes National Stress Awareness Day. Founded by the International Stress Management Association, this is a day that calls on all of us to be mindful of the impact stress can have on our behavioral health and well-being. As you all work to serve others each day, I remind you to take a pause, establish work-life balance, and do what you must to manage your stress.

Be well,

David T. Jones

Chief Behavioral Health Officer

NOFO: Cooperative Agreements for CCBHC Planning Grants

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic(CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Planning Grant was released on October 18, 2022. The State's collaborative team, comprised of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) along with the Department of Human Services', Divisions of Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, will submit a planning grant to facilitate expanding the CCBHC model throughout Illinois.

The purpose of CCBHC Planning Grants is to support states to develop and implement certification systems for CCBHCs, establish Prospective Payment Systems (PPS) for Medicaid reimbursable services, and prepare an application to participate in a four-year CCBHC Demonstration program.

Survey of Illinois Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Providers Regarding Service Capacity to Participate in the Upcoming SAMHSA CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration

In accordance with the Illinois Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) Act (Public Act 102-0043 (PDF)), HFS will be utilizing the CCBHC Demonstration Planning Grant application to support the development of the required CCBHC program in response to the NOFO released on October 18, 2022.

The planning grant application process will be informed by gathering feedback from providers who treat or have the potential to treat customers with mental health and/or substance use disorders (SUD). To streamline this process, HFS is utilizing a survey that covers seven topic areas:

Demographics
Populations Served and Practice Challenges
Provider Services and Capacity
Care Coordination
Staffing
Reimbursement
Health Information Technology and Data Sharing Capabilities

Questions regarding this notice can be submitted to HFS.BBH@illinois.gov.

The Illinois Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Veterans, Military Members, and their Families

The Illinois Governor's Challenge (GC) to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) is developing and implementing state-wide suicide prevention best practices to reduce the number of deaths by suicide among SMVF in Illinois.

The GC webpage is now live on the IDHS website and the GC launched its official campaign on November 3rd, 2022, at the Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) Summit being held in Springfield, IL. Dr. Glaze, Director of the Illinois GC, presented at the IJF summit about the goals and strategic action plan of the Illinois Governor's Challenge team.

The Illinois Governor's Challenge is a partnership between the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Mental Health (IDHS-DMH) and the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA). It is part of the national Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among SMVF, a SAMHSA and Veterans Affairs initiative that champions mental health support and preventative services for SMVF.

Sustaining Medicaid Coverage

Since the start of the pandemic, Illinois has continued to cover Medicaid customers without requiring them to renew each year. While this has helped millions of residents, it also means many people on Medicaid have not updated their address with the state in years. Once the federal government ends the Public Health Emergency, HFS will begin to mail renewal forms each month based on the customer's renewal date.

HFS is asking for your help to make sure Medicaid customers have updated their address with the state. If HFS does not have the right address, customers will not get their mail - and their coverage could lapse.

Please encourage customers on Medicaid to update their address as soon as possible - or, even better, help them update it when you are with them. Medicaid customers can update their address in two ways:

Submitting a simple form found at: medicaid.illinois.gov
Calling toll-free 877-805-5312 between 7:45 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

HFS has also prepared a Change of Address Campaign Toolkit which contains flyers to print, sample language for emails, texts, social media posts, and more. The Toolkit is available in more than 10 languages (right-hand column of the web page). Thank you in advance for your help in ensuring all Medicaid customers stay covered. For additional questions and/or assistance, please email HFS.Communications@illinois.gov.

Upcoming Investments in Children's Behavioral Health: Pathways to Success

In the previous newsletter, we highlighted a landmark report from Satcher Health Leadership Institute that clearly showed that investing in behavioral health improves health equity and the economy. To that end, HFS is in the development phase of a new program called Pathways to Success. This program will offer expanded and enhanced behavioral health services to Illinois' Medicaid-eligible youth who have severe and complex behavioral health needs. Pathways to Success services include enhanced care coordination, additional behavioral health interventions provided in youths' homes and communities, respite, and support for caregivers.

The development phase of the program includes recruiting and training providers to offer the new Pathways to Success services, gathering feedback from stakeholders regarding the program design and establishing lines of communication to ensure that families are aware of the new program. The development phase will continue through December 2022. It is anticipated that eligible youth will begin receiving services in January 2023, as providers complete their preparations to offer these new services. For providers who are interested in offering Pathways to Success services, more information is available at Pathways to Success.

Behavioral Health and the School System

It's important to remember that schools in Illinois have many behavioral and mental health resources available for students, families, and communities. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) website is an excellent resource for learning more about these resources and supports. Here are a few highlights:

Illinois has seven Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Hubs, which provide professional development, training, and support to districts in their region to establish and expand SEL programs in Illinois schools. This includes implementation and continuation of the Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing (REACH) initiative through ISBE's partnership with the Center for Childhood Resilience at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among America's youth and young adults. ISBE has several resources on its website related to suicide prevention for schools, including model suicide prevention policy and language that can be printed on the back of student ID cards about how to get help related to suicide or crisis. This reminds students that they can dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for support.
Visit ISBE's main mental health webpage to learn more about legislation impacting schools, including mental health in-service requirements for staff and student mental health days.

Anyone with questions is welcome to contact ISBE's Wellness Department with questions about mental and behavioral health supports in schools by calling 217-782-5270.

Holiday Support

As we move into colder weather, earlier sunsets, and the holiday season, please be mindful of your well-being and of those around you. Seasonal Affective Disorder is common, affecting millions of people each year. Whether you are missing someone this holiday season, feel lonely amidst all the hallmark commercials and Lifetime movies, or simply do not like the shorter and darker days, please know that you are not alone, and resources are available.

Below, you will find a few resources that you can utilize this holiday season:

Help is Here: Talk to Someone

COVID Holiday Survival Guide (PDF)

Self-Care Cheat Sheet (PDF)

Unhappy holidays: It's not the most wonderful time of the year for everyone (PDF)

Party Planning Tips for an Alcohol Safe and Drug Free Holiday Season (PDF)

Mental Health America: Hope for the Holidays

Hope Starts With Us: You are NOT Alone

NAMI Illinois

Resources to Support Youth, Families & Providers During the Holiday Season - Institute for Innovation (umaryland.edu)

Mental health and the holidays: Holiday stress - Mayo Clinic News Network

It's OK to Not Be OK During the Holidays | Psychology Today