View as Webpage

Monthly NEWSLETTER

January 2025

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

Membership Meetings in Springfield



Mark your calendars for our upcoming membership meetings on April 3-4 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, IL. This event will focus on legislative matters and advocacy, with training by ACMHAI lobbyist, Liz Brown Reeves. Additional details will be sent out following the next membership committee meeting later this month. To make a hotel reservation under the ACMHAI group block, please use the provided link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/acmhaiaprilmembership/

FYI -Reservations must be booked by March 13 to receive the group rate.

To participate in the membership committee meeting, please use the provided Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89090746956?pwd=eGhsMnZRNTh4U2FNeWFPcSs1d3VEdz09


Legislative Committee Meeting


As the 104th General Assembly begins its spring session, our Legislative Committee will convene for the first time next week. The meeting is scheduled for January 21 at 10 AM. To join the meeting, please use the provided link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87235665146?pwd=NnJWMnN3dVlac05UQUlDc2VsdzRzZz09


Children’s Behavioral Health Committee 


Following a member survey to explore alternative meeting schedules, the Children's Behavioral Health Committee has decided to maintain its current meeting time. The committee will continue to convene on the 4th Thursday of every other month. Mark your calendars for the next meeting, scheduled for January 23 at 10 AM. To participate in the committee meeting, please use the provided Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84450212843?pwd=dmpLR0psUEJDUUMyTHJvbW9zQmJaQT09


I/DD Committee Update


The I/DD Committee met yesterday and featured a presentation on the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Human Rights Authority. To access the archived recording, click here. The slide deck is available, here. The next meeting of the I/DD Committee is scheduled for March 11 at 10AM. To join the committee meeting, please use the provide link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84307178273?pwd=aytzdkpsOGJrOWNUeXdBRjR4TDJhQT09


Upcoming ACMHAI Webinars


We have an exciting lineup of webinars scheduled:


  • January 29: "Rethinking Fitness to Stand Trial" presented by Scott Block, former ACMHAI President and current State Court Behavioral Health Administrator for the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
  • February 11: "Strengthening Your Network Through Leadership Capacity Building for Mental Health Board Managers" by Daniel Riemenschneider with Goodworks.
  • February 27: “Winnebago County Jail Program” by Sana Siddiqui and Eileen Stewart


For more information on how to join these webinars, please refer to the flyers below.


Download Event Flyers:


January 21 - Rethinking Fitness to Stand Trial

February 11 - Strengthen Your Network Through Leadership Capacity Building

Feb 27 Winnebago Jail Program Webinar Flyer


Stay tuned for more updates and we look forward to your participation in these upcoming events!

 

Upcoming ACMHAI Standing Committee Meetings


  • Legislative Committee: January 21, 2025 at 9:00 am | Zoom Link | Click here to view the latest Legislative Report
  • Children's Behavioral Health: January 23, 2025

at 10:00 am | Zoom Link

  • Membership Committee: January 28 at 10:00 am | Zoom Link
  • I/DD Committee: March 11, 2025 at 10:00 am | Zoom Link

PARTNER NEWS


IDHS-DDD: STRATEGIC PLANNING PROJECT 

Over the next several months, Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (IDHS-DDD) will be inviting individuals receiving services, families, advocates, providers, front-line staff, trade associations, and other stakeholders to offer insights and feedback on the future of DDD services as we work to build our next 5-year strategic plan. This will include surveying, focus groups, and other opportunities to give voice to how individuals want to receive services that will support them to achieve their wants, needs, and dreams. Look for a schedule of opportunities to engage in the next few months.


DMH:

Upcoming Virtual Recovery and Wellbeing Series

  • Why Mattering Matters
  • 1/22/25 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Transitioning Back into the Community
  • 2/26/25 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Generational Gaps: Bridges to Others Across the Lifespan
  • 3/26/25 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Harm Reduction: Bridging from Stigma to Freedom
  • 9/24/25 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Bridges to Healthy Relationships
  • 10/22/25 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Spanning the Crisis Continuum: Bridging the Gap
  • 11/16/25 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

https://mcusercontent.com/15d101d41410cd92311f0d374/files/6db52f4b-f903-0749-4918-9c401769a954/2025_Flyer_for_Recovery_Well_Being_Series.pdf



Equip for Equality

Equip for Equality's Midpoint Assessment of Choate's 3-Year Transition Plan reveals slow progress in moving residents to community-based settings, with most transfers going to other state facilities. The report stresses the need for systemic reform and resources to meet commitments. State officials acknowledge the findings but concerns about reform pace persist.


Key links:

Midpoint Assessment of Choate’s 3-Year Transition Plan

Full Assessment (PDF)

Full Assessment (Word)

Response from IDHS (PDF)


Choate Developmental Center Repurposing Plan: Why No One Should be Left Behind, 2023

Executive Summary (PDF)

Full Report (PDF)

Plain Language Report (PDF)

Response from the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (PDF)


For more details, see the Chicago Sun Times: https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2025/01/09/choate-mental-health-facility-report


NACBHDD

A coalition of mental health organizations has written to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in support of implementing georouting for text messages to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The letter, dated December 20, 2024, emphasizes the importance of connecting individuals in crisis to local support services, regardless of whether they call or text 988. The letter is signed by over 30 organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Mental Health America, among others. Read letter, here.

Latest Published News











View Latest News

ACMHAI | acmhai.org

See what's happening on our social sites:

Twitter  YouTube  LinkedIn