|
PARTNER NEWS
Chief Behavioral Health Officer Update
New Chief Behavioral Health Officer Inger Burnett-Zeigler, hosted a Town Hall meeting this month to meet with the stakeholders and provide an update on her plans as the CBHO. The Town Hall provided an opportunity for updates on all areas of behavioral health by other key State leaders. The slide deck and a resource sheet from the Town Hall are linked below for your review.
Resource Sheet for Town Hall Meeting
Town Hall Slide Deck
Behavioral Health Crisis Hub
The Behavioral Health Crisis Hub at the University of Illinois Chicago is pleased to invite ACMHAI members to attend a series of three virtual Forum sessions this June. The title of the forum is Moving Forward: Building a Stronger Crisis System in a New Era. The theme is Collaboration, Resilience and Innovation. The series will run for three consecutive Wednesday mornings –June 11, June 18, and June 25 from 9:00 AM to noon. This year’s Forum will feature National and Illinois speakers focusing on the state-of-the-state in behavioral health crisis services, innovations in the delivery of crisis continuum services including alternative response crisis models, mobile crisis response team models, and the use of technology and AI in the delivery of crisis services. Presentations will also be provided on innovations in collaboration between law enforcement, 911 public safety answering points (PSAPs), 988 crisis contact centers, behavioral health providers and emergency medical services providers. This is a great opportunity to learn what is going on across the nation as well as to hear about innovations within Illinois!
Click here to register and learn more!
IDHS - Division of Developmental Disabilities
The Division of Developmental Disabilities, in collaboration with several state agencies and community partners, is seeking input from organizations in the aging and intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) networks through the “Bridging Aging and Disability” grant initiative. This effort aims to better understand and address gaps in services for aging individuals with I/DD and their caregivers. Providers, case managers, and others in the field are encouraged to complete a brief survey to share their experiences and resource needs. Take the Bridging Aging and Disabilities Survey here.
DIGNITY IN PAY ACT: ILLINOIS 14(C) PHASE OUT MULTI-YEAR PLAN
The Employment & Economic Opportunities for People with Disabilities (EEOPD) Taskforce is requesting feedback on a multi-year plan to phase out subminimum wage payments. The EEOPD Taskforce is engaging community partners, advocates, service providers, and individuals with disabilities to ensure the transition is thoughtful, sustainable, and beneficial for all affected workers. Please learn more and contribute feedback here: Illinois 14(c) Phase Out Multi-Year Plan.
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Federal Policy Update: Senate Considers Major Medicaid Changes
Congress continues to debate a major budget reconciliation package. The House recently passed a bill that would reclaim $9.4 billion from previous foreign aid and public broadcasting allocations and included procedural changes to ease Senate passage. Attention now turns to the Senate Finance Committee, which is expected to release proposed changes to Medicaid provisions—potentially in two parts. Key issues under discussion include the extent of Medicaid funding reductions and possible adjustments to provider tax rules. Meanwhile, earlier proposals to alter Medicare appear to be off the table for now.
Two major coalitions recently delivered letters to Senate leaders urging them to oppose proposed Medicaid cuts in the budget reconciliation bill:
The Modern Medicaid Alliance, representing over 190 health care organizations, warned that reducing Medicaid spending by up to $700 billion could destabilize providers, lead to significant coverage losses, and increase uncompensated care.
The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), with leadership from the National Council, sent a letter to the Senate Finance and Budget committees, emphasizing that the proposed changes would negatively impact individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges.
Both letters stress the importance of preserving Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.
May DMH Trade Associations Meeting
988 crisis update:
The 911 to 988 mobile crisis response pilot is currently active at 19 public safety answering points (PSAPs) across Illinois and is expected to conclude soon, having facilitated approximately 80 transfers to date. As budget season progresses, grants for mobile crisis response teams (590) and CCBHC overlap grants (591) have closed. The team is working closely with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to address Medicaid reimbursement and rate issues. Additionally, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are being utilized but will only be available through September.
CESSA:
The CESSA bill (SB 2500) has successfully passed both the Illinois Senate and House and is expected to be signed into law by the governor. This legislation grants additional time to ensure the pilot program can be expanded in a thoughtful and sustainable way. Recently, DMH Leadership held a retreat to plan for the next year of CESSA, and more detailed implementation plans are expected to be shared in the coming month as the team works to develop a comprehensive strategy.
590/591:
Grants for mobile crisis response teams (590) and CCBHC overlap grants (591) have now closed. In response to questions about the flexibility of the 591 grants—especially given possible Medicaid funding cuts—Brock confirmed that providers are able to make adjustments throughout the year within their existing funding levels. Providers entered the grant process with the understanding that their budgets were estimates, and exact funding amounts are still being finalized. The program’s goal is to remain flexible and responsive as circumstances evolve, and providers will receive ongoing updates about any potential changes as the year progresses.
Integration of DMH and SUPR:
The upcoming integration of behavioral health divisions is approaching, with July 1st marking the official creation of the new Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. Leadership emphasized that this transition will not be a dramatic "reveal" moment, but rather a gradual process of organizational alignment. On July 1st, the new division will have a new director, David Albert, an assistant director, Dr. Rivera, and Chief of Staff Ryan Rollinson, but most operational work will continue largely unchanged.
| 
