Issue 10
October-November 2023
WELCOME
Hello, fellow Illinoisans! It is hard to believe that another holiday season is upon us. As we begin celebrating the holidays, we are both aware of the blessings they present and at the same time recognize that some people throughout the world are experiencing immensely trying or difficult times. This season provides us the perfect time to reflect on opportunities to be kind and seek out ways to make life better for those around us. I continue to be grateful for the wonderful people in Illinois that selflessly work day in and day out to care for our most vulnerable populations. Your continued passions inspire people to find and live their best lives. Don't forget, a little progress each day adds to big results!
In this newsletter, you will hear about the wonderful work that has been taking place in Illinois over the last few months. I wish you all peace, health, prosperity, and joy throughout this holiday season and remind you to take time to stop and smell the fresh cut pine trees.
Be well,
David T. Jones
Chief Behavioral Health Officer
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In October, we celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer.
When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Awareness of the facts and statistics surrounding breast cancer in the United States is key in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
War and Conflict: How to Talk to your Children
When conflict and war make headlines, it can cause a range of emotions no matter where you live. Children always look to their parents and/or caregivers for a sense of safety and comfort, especially in times of crisis.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) created a fact sheet to help parents navigate talking to their children about war. It is okay to not know what to say or how to say it. We encourage you to utilize and share this resource with anyone who may need it.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
In our June + July newsletter, we shared that Illinois applied for a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) CCBHC state planning grant but unfortunately did not receive an award. Despite the minor setback, Illinois is eligible to apply to become a SAMHSA demonstration grant state, which will be made available in 2024.
Since then, led by Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), partnering closely with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), much progress has been made, both on developing Illinois specific certification criteria along with prospective payment rates. In addition, we have established a CCBHC Advisory Committee where members are provided the opportunity to offer valuable feedback on the design and implementation of the CCBHC model. To date, Illinois has twenty (20) CCBHC providers operating or soon to be operating twenty-six (26) clinics. Illinois continues to work towards development of the CCBHC model with the goal of coordinating the model within the broader community-based healthcare continuum.
Stay tuned for additional updates on the implementation of CCBHCs.
Improving Illinois' Behavioral Health Crisis System with the National Academy for State Health Policy
In calendar year 2023, state officials from the Illinois Departments of Human Services (IDHS), Insurance (IDOI), Public Health (IDPH), Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), and Child and Family Services (DCFS), led by Illinois' Chief Behavioral Health Officer, David T. Jones, participated in the National Academy for State Health Policy's (NASHP) Behavioral Health Modernization State Learning Collaborative. Illinois' proposal for participation in NASHP's learning collaborative focused on the State's desire to establish a unified Behavioral Health Crisis Continuum for all individuals in Illinois, regardless of payer. In the months of July, August, and October, Chief Jones hosted a series of discussions between the Department of Human Services - Department of Mental Health (DHS-DMH) and Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to examine the process of aligning key elements of Illinois' behavioral health crisis programs: 1) call centers (988 and CARES); 2) crisis response (Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) and Program 590) - in order to increase coordination among the various components of the crisis behavioral health system for Illinoisians.
The discussion kicked off in July when the group met to begin the conversation in Joliet, Illinois. The first meeting included presentations from Lee Ann Reinert from DHS-DMH, who detailed the process of 988, including Illinois' call center providers, how call routing works, coverage, funding, and different technologies used by each call center and in data collection. Following Lee Ann's presentation, Kati Hinshaw with HFS spoke about the CARES line, including its formation and background, the role of Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in it, services provided, funding, technologies used, and its relationship with MCR.
August's discussion in Joliet, Illinois, included a presentation on MCR from Kati Hinshaw, including an overview of how MCR works today, the history and eligibility of Screening, Assessment, and Support Services (SASS) program, managed care involvement, and rates and reimbursements history. Lee Ann Reinert from DHS-DMH returned with another presentation on the 590 Program, including its history, services, funding and payment, coverage, and areas of need.
The third and final in-person retreat, held in Champaign, Illinois at the beginning of October, saw the group discuss the alignment of the Illinois behavioral health crisis system. CBHO staff led the group in discussion on proposed updated workflows created from the previous two retreats. State leaders left the retreat focused on strengthening the collaboration between the Departments with a renewed understanding of how each Department can contribute to a better behavioral health crisis system. Staff in attendance stressed the need to focus the experience on the needs of the customer, simplifying the program processes for providers, and using braided funding and Medicaid maximization strategies to improve Illinois' systems. The team has since taken the targeted efforts of the retreat and began expanding the commitments from the retreat with the rest of the Illinois officials participating in the NASHP Learning Collaborative. And while the NASHP Learning Collaborative technical assistance is scheduled to conclude in December of 2023, the state department collaborative team members are committed to continuing the work on the development of a unified Behavioral Health Crisis Continuum in Illinois.
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, feeling 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
Self-Care Cheat Sheet
Unhappy holidays: It's not the most wonderful time of the year for everyone
Party Planning Tips for an Alcohol Safe and Drug Free Holiday Season
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)
