Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board
Access & Equity Working Group Meeting
October 10, 2023
Virtual Meeting Held Via Zoom
Meeting Minutes
Access and Equity Working Group Members
Joel K. Johnson, TASC, Inc. (Chair)
David Gomel, PhD, Rosecrance
Mike Tyson, Take Action Today
Shane Pettigrew, Illinois State Police
Jonnell Benson-Cobbs, DPN, Serenity Treatment and Counseling Center
Tim Devitt, PsyD, Private Practice
Gail Richardson, West Side Opioid Task Force
Debbie Holsapple, Jefferson County Comprehensive Services
Charles Stratton, Department of Human Resources, Sangamon County
James L. Grafton, Administrator, Rock Island County
Diana Bottari, MD, Advocate Aurora Health
Blanca Campos, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association
John Werning, Chicago Recovery Alliance
Mark Mulroe, A Safe Haven Foundation
Christopher Hoff, DuPage County Health Department
Michael Wahl, MD, Illinois Poison Center, Illinois Health and Hospital Association
Welcome and Roll Call
Joel Johnson welcomed the group and called the meeting to order. He announced that Michelle Saddler resigned from the Access & Equity Working Group but will participate in the Workforce Development & Infrastructure Working Group. Sue Pickett, PhD of Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP), facilitator, conducted roll call. Jonnell Benson-Cobbs, Blanca Campos, John Werning, Mark Mulroe, Christopher Hoff, and Michael Wahl were not present. All other members were present. Quorum was established.
Review and Approval of September 12, 2023, Meeting Minutes
The September 12, 2023, meeting minutes were reviewed. There were no edits to the minutes. Mr. Johnson called for a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Dr. Gomel made a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Ms. Richardson seconded the motion to approve the meeting minutes. All working group members in attendance voted in favor of the motion. The motion passed.
Priority Recommendations for the IORAB
Mr. Johnson stated that working group members will continue to develop the recommendations discussed at the last meeting related to harm reduction. He attended the October IORAB meeting and discussed the group's recommendations related to strengthening equity in access to funding opportunities. He asked working group members if there were priority recommendations or issues from the last meeting to discuss.
- Dr. Rafael Rivera, Chief of Staff, Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention & Recovery (IDHS/SUPR), noted that when making a recommendation pertaining to payment and granting requirements, the working group should understand the current state requirements. There are three types of approved payment schedules that can be implemented. Mr. Johnson stated that the working group's discussion related to equity in access to funding opportunities pertained in part to the rules not being equitable for all. If it is possible to change the rules, this would charge the working group with amending the rules.
- There was discussion about the meeting schedule. Dr. Pickett encouraged the group to continue with monthly meetings.
- Dr. Rivera stated that Mr. Johnson could designate a co-chair for occasions when he could not attend working group meetings. Mr. Johnson said he would seek guidance from Chief Behavioral Health Officer David T. Jones. If any working group members are interested in being considered for a co-chair role, they should contact Mr. Johnson (jkjohnson@tasc.org).
- There was discussion about making a case for continuing telehealth for MOUD, as regulations put forth during COVID-19 will be discontinued. A working group member stated that the regulations have been extended for one year. Dr. Pickett noted that recommendations requiring a change in legislation are not permitted.
Public Participation
A member of the public discussed the availability of a smartphone recovery app that provides 24/7 support by peers and peer recovery support specialists. He discussed the benefits of recovery supports in between appointments with treatment providers, and barriers to accessing to recovery supports. Mr. Johnson said that the working group has discussed similar access and equity issues and has put forward recommendations to address them. The member of the public may consider applying for funding through NOFOs when they become available.
Adjourn
Mr. Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Bottari made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Devitt seconded the motion. All working group members present voted in favor of the motion. The motion passed. The next Access & Equity Working Group meeting will be held via Zoom on November 14, 2023, from 10:30am-12:00pm.
