Issue 12
February-March 2024
Welcome
Hello, fellow Illinoisans! I hope this message finds you all in great health and uplifting spirits.
Before we leap into this issue of What's Happening in the World of Behavioral Health, I would like to share a quote by the inspiring and brave Harriet Tubman: Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
I challenge you to be the dreamer. Be the change that you wish to see in the world. Never forget, there is nothing about us without us!
Be well,
David T. Jones
Chief Behavioral Health Officer
Mission of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration Application
Illinois is preparing to apply to participate in SAMHSA's 2024 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration Implementation program. If selected to participate, the Demonstration will establish a new community-based behavioral health provider type (CCBHCs) within Illinois' Medicaid service array. The demonstration serves as a way states can introduce, at a minimum, two CCBHC sites (one rural and one urban) to learn how CCBHCs could impact the participating state's service delivery system.
CCBHCs are critical because they:
- Provide integrated mental health, substance use disorder, and primary care screening services from a single provider;
- Provide support in connecting people with social determinant of health services (e.g. supportive housing and supportive employment);
- Serve a dedicated geographic area, expanding access and available services to all individuals that present for care, regardless of payer;
- Utilize an encounter-based Prospective Payment System (PPS) methodology, based on the true cost of delivering care that is reviewed and updated, at a minimum, every three years.
Illinois will submit its application to SAMHSA by March 20, 2024. States anticipate SAMHSA will report out the awards to the 2024 CCBHC Demonstration Implementation program in early summer.
Provider Spotlight
The CBHO team is delighted to present a featured provider in this issue, aiming to showcase the remarkable strides in behavioral health within our State, foster meaningful connections, and commemorate achievements. We had the opportunity to speak with Egyptian Health Department (EHD) and are excited to share an overview of their organization, outlining their accomplishments, hurdles, and future aspirations. Within this brief article, we can only scratch the surface of the profound impact of their work.
About Egyptian Healthcare Department
In 2023, EHD proudly celebrated its 71st year of service, expanding from a public health department established in 1952 to an integrated behavioral health agency serving Southern Illinois by 1972. Providing a whole-person approach to health and human services for individuals, families, and groups, EHD emphasizes the importance and necessity of making healthcare accessible by delivering and providing connections to services in underserved areas. EHD remains dedicated to enhancing the overall well-being of individuals across their lifespans.
A Conversation with Angie Hampton, CEO
We spoke with Angie Hampton, the CEO of EHD, who has devoted 30 years to the organization. Starting out as a youth counselor with a deep passion for helping others, Hampton has been in the role of CEO for the past 18 years. With the support of a dedicated leadership team who have nearly 250 years of collective experience, Angie has achieved significant growth and expansion with her time here. The team ensures a collaborative approach, aligning their energy and expertise to support the successes of EHD.
When discussing EHD's strengths in the last year, Angie highlighted the necessity of robust partnerships with healthcare providers, school districts, and community organizations, but also local businesses, people with lived experiences, faith-based communities, chambers of commerce, and housing authorities.
Hampton proudly called attention to their 2021 Healthcare Transformation Collaborative award from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the Integrated Hub (also known as the iHub), which focuses on providing integrated care for Medicaid beneficiaries. The iHub has become a pivotal center for delivering social determinants of health screenings and supports. Through these screenings, EHD took action to secure a Rapid Re-Housing Program grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), addressing a critical need for affordable housing.
In the past year, EHD achieved a significant milestone by becoming a Recovery Community Organization with IDHS' Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR), making a positive impact on individuals struggling with substance use disorders through peer supports. Another noteworthy accomplishment is EHD's expansive drug overdose prevention providing, which provides harm reduction programming across 30 counties, including Narcan distribution and vital health education. This proactive approach has saved numerous lives, showcasing their commitment to addressing urgent community health concerns.
Finally, Hampton highlighted their crisis work with the State of Illinois Program 590-Crisis Services System utilizing a team-based approach for Mobile Crisis Response, as well as being the local Care Coordination and Support Organization (CCSO) and a Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS) provider.
Hampton acknowledges the challenges they and others face in navigating the behavioral health workforce shortage and aims to continue exploring ways to recruit and retain employees. They strive to be a workplace of choice and to create an environment where staff feel supported and valued. In doing so, they aim to carry on the legacy of providing high-quality, compassionate care while adapting to the community's ever-evolving needs.
Looking ahead, EHD is eager to sustain its current initiatives and embrace new opportunities. Hampton reiterated their commitment to social determinants of health services throughout the agency, particularly through the advancement of iHub. With these goals and more in mind, EHD will continue to open more doors for the communities they serve and enhance the health and human service system they are integral to.
Celebrations throughout February and March
Black History Month
We honored Black History Month in February and celebrated both the accomplishments and contributions of Black people, while recognizing the history of racism and continued disparities faced by the community today. Looking at the Black experience from a behavioral health perspective, SAMHSA's 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health provides data exhibiting how black adults received mental health treatment at a 18.2% lower rate, 56.1% (white) compared to 37.9% (black), despite a less than 5% difference in reported mental illness 24.6% (white) and 19.7% (black). There are many factors contributing to the lack of access to behavioral health treatment including, the lack of a diverse mental health workforce and absence of culturally competent options, as well as insurance coverage, stigma, and social determinants of health. There are incredible advocates and practitioners serving the Black community today; check out this resource list from NAMI for assistance in obtaining behavioral health support for yourself or a loved one.
Women's History Month
March is National Women's History Month, recognizing women's significant contributions and ongoing fight for sex and gender equality. Every year, a new theme for Women's History Month is chosen, and 2024's is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion." This theme highlights women who are committed to fighting for justice, pairing well with March also being Social Work Month. Illinois is proud to be home to historic changemakers of the social welfare movements such as Jane Addams, who established the first settlement houses, and Ida B. Wells, a race and gender equality advocate involved in founding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). While incredible progress has been made, the fight for equality continues as women still take on the majority of caregiving roles and are met with gender-based violence, sexual harassment, the gender pay gap, reproductive rights challenges, and more. This March, we remain diligent in promoting self-care, accessing behavioral health resources, and continuing the fight for justice.
LGBTQIA+ Health Awareness Week
The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health leads an awareness campaign for LGBTQIA+ Health in March during the week of the 18th - 22nd. Health access, specifically behavioral health access, is particularly important to highlight for populations that experience disparities such as the LGBTQIA+ community. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, among LGBTQIA+ individuals, 67% reported needing a mental health service compared to 39% of non- LGBTQIA+ individuals. The Trevor Project produced a 2020 study on the significantly higher risk of suicide by LGBTQIA+ youth. They explain that LGBTQIA+ young people are at a higher risk not because of an inherit predisposition, but because of how they are mistreated in society. The commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community from providers and State agencies holds hope for change. For resources, check out Mental Health America or Human Rights Campaign.
Self-Injury Awareness Day
March 1st marks Self-Injury Awareness Day, shedding light on purposeful, non-lethal self-harm which affects about 5% of U.S. adults and 17% of adolescents. Self-injury often stems from feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and a need for control, and serves as a temporary coping mechanism for hard-to-express emotions. Approaches for addressing self-injury typically involve a blend of medication and therapy, supplemented by additional treatment services when necessary. Here are some resources including tools and coping skills. Help is available and you are encouraged to reach out on behalf of yourself or a loved one to get assistance.
World Bipolar Day
As an initiative of International Society for Bipolar Disorders, March 30th is World Bipolar Day. Bipolar disorder affects more than 3.3 million American adults annually and it involves intense mood fluctuations with extreme manic highs and depressive lows, which can have a profound impact on an individual's life if left untreated. Recommended treatment includes the combination of medication, therapies, and psychoeducation. The goal of World Bipolar Day is to provide education about bipolar disorder to eliminate stigma and promote acceptance. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health for more information.
State Medicaid Updates
Pathways to Success Status Update
Status of Pathways to Success service utilization, challenges, and opportunities for new providers.
- Approximately 3,500 youths have been referred to the Pathways to Success program since referrals began in December 2022. Care Coordination and Support Organizations (CCSO) are providing Care Coordination to Pathways enrolled youth in 29 of the 32 Designated Service Areas (DSAs). HFS is posting quarterly updates on implementation to the Pathways to Success Quarterly Implementation Updates webpage.
- HFS is continuing to pursue CCSO providers for the two uncovered DSAs (DSA 14 and 19), with promising leads identified.
- HFS is continuing to work to identify providers for Intensive Home-Based (IHB), Family Peer Support, Therapeutic Mentoring, and Respite. In August 2023, HFS released a survey to identify potentially interested providers for outreach. HFS, through their partners at the Office of Medicaid Innovation, are working with providers who indicated interest on possibly moving forward with enrollment. Additionally, on February 1, 2024, HFS released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to grow behavioral health capacity, including providing Pathways to Success services. HFS has also included Pathways to Success services as an included service option in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) initiative.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Home and Community Based Services NOFO to Grow Behavioral Health Capacity
On February 1, 2024, HFS released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Behavioral Health providers for two initiatives to increase access to intensive and team-based services in underserved areas of the state.
- Initiative 1 provides up to $15 million in awards to new providers or new locations enrolling as a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) or Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC), with emphasis on opening locations in areas of the state identified as underserved by HRSA.
- Initiative 2 provides $10 million in awards to existing CMHC or BHC providers who add intensive or team-based services to their existing services array.
Applications are due by March 31, 2024, and awards will be announced on May 1, 2024. For more information including how to apply, see the provider notice here.
Illinois Medicaid - Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths (IM+CANS) Tool
HFS has been convening a workgroup of community behavioral health providers on the IM+CANS since November 2021. In 2023, the group voted on recommendations to revise the IM+CANS tool. HFS has begun implementation of those recommendations, with an effective date of April 1, 2024. HFS especially wants to highlight the partnership and collaboration of the IM+CANS Workgroup, and that the updates to the tool are a direct result of the time and effort the Workgroup members have dedicated. Over the 2.5 years the Workgroup has been meeting, several policy changes and clarifications have been provided by the Department, and the Workgroup has voted on several recommendations that have been implemented.
Illinois House & Senate Hearing
On Friday, February 23, 2024, the second of two Illinois House & Senate Hearing was held on behavioral health workforce development.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
If you or someone you know is in need of additional support as it relates to the pandemic and/or the painful current events both in Illinois and across our country, please check out the DHS resources. If you or someone you know is in crisis, text HOME to 741741 or call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8. There are also mental health resources and substance use and recovery resources available. For additional wellness resources, please check out Be Well Illinois.
