Issue 14
June-July 2024
Welcome
Hello, fellow Illinoisans! I hope this message finds you in great health amid another beautiful Illinois summer! Throughout the last several months, there have been a lot of amazing things happening within our great state.
While behavioral health continues to expand, it is imperative to acknowledge that we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that everyone has access to the services and care they need. I deeply value your partnership to ensure Illinois continues to be considered among the best in the world when it comes to behavioral health.
Be well,
David T. Jones
Chief Behavioral Health Officer
Pritzker Administration Announces Federal Funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics: Program to provide sustainable funding for robust community outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services.
Illinois has been selected as one of ten states to participate in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program designed to expand and improve access to coordinated mental health care and substance use services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week.
"This announcement builds on the substantial progress my administration has made to ensure that mental and behavioral health services are available statewide," said Governor JB Pritzker. "And now, thanks to our partners at the federal level, 19 organizations will be able to treat people in crisis, regardless of their ability to pay."
The CCBHC Demonstration Program provides reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services that CCBHCs provide, and at higher rates than community mental health centers previously received for Medicaid customers. HFS anticipates that this program will bring an additional $150 million into Illinois' behavioral health system.
Illinois has been a leader in encouraging the development of CCBHCs, and this award will propel its efforts. CCBHCs were created to strengthen mental health and substance use treatment across the country through comprehensive community outpatient behavioral health treatment. Their services must meet federal standards, and they must serve anyone who requests care for their mental health or substance use condition, regardless of age, ability to pay, or location. This model has been proven to significantly increase access to behavioral health care, including crisis care, for individuals who may otherwise have a difficult time accessing the services they need.
CCBHCs provide access to a range of services, care coordination, and they incorporate evidence-based practices and other supports based on a community needs assessment. This includes crisis services that are available 24/7. CCBHCs are also required to provide routine outpatient care within 10 business days.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), which administers the Illinois Medicaid program, identified 19 mental health and substance use treatment providers across the state to participate in the demonstration program, which will build on the Department's ongoing work to expand access to behavioral health services statewide.
"We are thrilled that our federal partners have chosen Illinois to participate in the CCBHC Demonstration Program, which will have a significant impact on increasing behavioral health and substance use treatment access across the state," said HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn. "Behavioral health care faces major capacity challenges across the nation, and this program recognizes that we must find a way to serve individuals in crisis, regardless of where they live and whether they have the ability to pay. This program will expand access in critical ways for people who have struggled in the past to find the services they need."
"SAMHSA's award designating Illinois as an CCBHC demonstration State will make behavioral health treatment more accessible and change the behavioral health system landscape for decades to come," said Illinois Chief Behavioral Health Officer David T. Jones. "We are immensely thankful to the Biden Administration and other federal partners for providing Illinois with a phenomenal opportunity to expand comprehensive integrated behavioral and primary healthcare services."
The 19 Illinois-based awardee organizations are:
- Trilogy Inc., Chicago
- Lutheran Social Services of IL, Chicago
- Human Resources Development Institute, Chicago
- Thresholds, Chicago
- Thresholds, Woodstock
- Rosecrance Incorporated, Champaign
- Rosecrance Incorporated, Rockford
- Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Decatur
- Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., Quincy
- Transitions of Western IL, Inc., Quincy
- Centerstone of Illinois, Inc., Alton
- Chestnut Health Systems, Inc., Granite City
- Chestnut Health Systems, Inc., Belleville
- Ecker Center for Behavioral Health, Elgin
- Link & Option Center, Inc., South Holland
- Bridgeway, Inc., Galesburg
- Robert Young Center, Moline
- Robert Young Center, Rock Island
- Sinnissippi Centers, Inc., Dixon
Provider Spotlight: Heritage Behavioral Health Center
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 Heritage Behavioral Health Center and are excited to share an overview of their notable achievements, the challenges they've encountered, and their ambitious aspirations for the future. Within this article, we can only glimpse the depth of their impactful work.
About Heritage Behavioral Health Center
Founded in 1956 as the Mental Health Clinic, Heritage Behavioral Health Center has evolved significantly and serves Macon, DeWitt, and Piatt counties. It celebrates over 68 years of dedicated service to the behavioral health community. Heritage is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). It offers a holistic approach to health, seamlessly integrating mental health, substance use treatment, and primary care services. With a $30 million budget and 358 staff members, Heritage serves approximately 7,500 individuals annually, emphasizing a mission to enhance its clients' mental and physical well-being.
A Conversation with Mary Garrison, CEO
Garrison came on board in 2009, bringing her deep expertise as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to Heritage, where she started as a clinical consultant. Over her tenure, she has operated the center through significant expansions and innovations, particularly in response to community needs and healthcare trends. Her leadership fosters a culture of inclusion, resilience, and fiscal responsibility, which has been crucial in navigating the challenges of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. She praises her leadership team for their decades of experience and unwavering commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
Heritage is committed to providing accessible, high-quality care across a spectrum that includes person-centered treatment. The range of services offered is broad and impactful, extending from urgent behavioral health care to long-standing supportive programs for individuals with severe mental health conditions. Heritage ensures that help is not only timely but also versatile-available through traditional in-person visits, innovative mobile crisis teams, and cutting-edge telehealth options. This comprehensive approach highlights their mission: to serve anyone, anytime, anywhere, creating a nurturing environment that responds to the community's needs with immediacy and sensitivity.
Heritage Behavioral Health Center proudly engages in robust partnerships that amplify their community impact. Locally, they are a part of the Continuum of Care, working with 35 agencies to address homelessness through housing, support, and education. They collaborate with Dove, Inc. to provide essential services to domestic violence survivors and with the local Head Start program to ensure timely support for young children. Their partnerships also extend to Crossing Healthcare and the City of Decatur, where they utilize Opioid Settlement funds to aid those struggling with opioid addiction. At the state level, they collaborate with the Chief Behavioral Health Officer (CBHO), the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois (CBHA), the Illinois Health Practice Alliance (IHPA), and The National Alliance on Mental Illness-Illinois (NAMI).
Garrison shared that pride in their community impact is fundamental to Heritage's mission. Notably, their Behavioral Health Urgent Care Hub and the Living Room Program stand out as foundations of their crisis services, designed to provide immediate support and prevent hospitalization. Furthermore, their partnership with local law enforcement through the Heritage-DPD Community Partnership focuses on reducing unnecessary law enforcement interventions by ensuring that individuals experiencing severe mental illnesses receive proper care and support within their community settings.
Garrison highlighted the success of Heritage's Intensive Placement Services (IPS), which continues to excel, achieving an Exemplary Fidelity score of 122/125. IPS is actively engaged in a pilot contract from the Division of Rehabilitation Services, working with the Williams and Colbert class members. She also expressed pride in the significantly enhanced visibility of Heritage within the community. The community understands and values what Heritage offers as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), recognizing its crucial role and contribution.
Last year, Heritage faced some challenges with its inpatient behavioral health services due to the closure of a local hospital which was a pivotal resource for the community. To address this gap, Heritage swiftly opened the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Hub, effectively mitigating the impact of these closures. Garrison also highlighted workforce challenges, a common issue across the health sector, which Heritage has tackled with innovative solutions such as sign-on bonuses, employee referral programs, remote work options, and a Wellness Days Program, emphasizing a cultural shift towards enhanced employee well-being and engagement.
Looking ahead, Garrison emphasizes the goal of expanding Heritage's facilities and services through a capital campaign, continuing to advocate for accessible care, and reducing the stigma associated with behavioral health issues. Under Garrison's leadership, Heritage Behavioral Health Center is dedicated to providing innovative and responsive behavioral health services that meet the community's needs.
Celebrations throughout June and July
Throughout June and July, there are a plethora of celebrations that we would like to recognize.
LGBTQ+ PRIDE
Throughout June and July, there are a plethora of celebrations that we would like to recognize. PRIDE Month! Did you know that LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the 1969 stonewall riots? These riots marked the beginning of a movement to dismantle discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ people in the U.S.
To learn more about the importance of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, how to show your support and where to find resources, please visit the National Council for Mental Wellbeing!
Juneteenth
On June 19th, we celebrated Juneteenth! On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with Union troops to inform the community that the war was over and African Americans could no longer be legally enslaved. Because Galveston was the last place to learn the news, it is considered the true birthplace of Juneteenth.
It is important to celebrate the resiliency and achievements of African Americans on Juneteenth and every other day as they play a crucial role in our history. If you would like to learn more about the history of Juneteenth, I encourage you to visit Anti Racism Commitment Coalition (ARCC).
Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month
July is Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month! Each July, Mental Health America (MHA) honors author, advocate, and trailblazer Bebe Moore Campbell by recognizing National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month.
MHA has released their 2024 BIPOC Mental Health toolkit. This toolkit provides free, practical resources to help navigate mental health stigma, bridge generational differences, dismantle mental health myths and encourage meaningful conversations. To download the toolkit, please visit MHA 2024 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit.
Disability Pride Month
Since 1990, Disability Pride Month is celebrated annually in July! Signed on July 26, 1990, the law [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)] prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, transportation, housing and access to various government programs and services. Disability Pride Month is a time for people living with disabilities to honor their many unique talents and skills!
For more information on the important of Disability Pride Month, how to celebrate and find resources, please visit Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month - The Arc.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Light the Darkness Gala
In June, Chief Jones was honored to serve as a panelist during NAMI Chicago's annual gala- Light the Darkness! An evening dedicated to the incredible changemakers making a difference in mental health and a space devoted to building community, hope, and connection. Panelists, led by Alexa James, participated in an informative discussion about the vision of the behavioral health system in Illinois. Both research about disparities in mental health and inspirational first-hand accounts of recovery were shared with a grand audience.
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.
