ACMHAI members came together virtually on August 7–8, 2025, for two days of learning, discussion, and organizational updates. The Best Practice Training featured expert-led sessions on Rural Behavioral Health: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations and Promoting Culturally and Linguistically Relevant Services to Meet the Needs of Diverse Populations.

The August 8 Business Meeting included committee reports, upcoming training previews, and the introduction of the new Board Governance Community of Practice.

Archived recordings and materials are available:

• Best Practice Training Part 1
• Best Practice Training Part 2
• Farm Family Resource Initiative PowerPoint

Our next Membership Meeting will be held in person December 4–5, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg. See below for information on our Call for Facilitators for the December roundtable discussions.

✨ Call for Roundtable Facilitators ✨

December Membership Meeting

Our December Membership Meeting will be held December 4–5, 2025 in Schaumburg, with Roundtable Discussions on Thursday, December 4 from 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Building on last year’s positive feedback, we’re inviting members to lead and guide a group discussion—sharing real-world experiences, best practices, innovations, and insights.

Potential topics include:

• Grant application processes / Grant management software
• Trust-based vs. compliance-based funding models
• Contract negotiations
• Diversified funding streams

💬 Interested in facilitating? Please email jdart@acmhai.org with your preferred topic.

**Special I/DD Committee Presentation**

ACMHAI members are invited to attend the upcoming I/DD Committee meeting on September 9th, featuring a special presentation from Engage IL. This is a unique opportunity to learn about Engage IL’s background, their mission to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the potential for partnership with ACMHAI. The presentation will also highlight upcoming legislation relevant to our members’ interests. All members are welcome!

ACMHAI Board Governance Community of Practice

– Open to All Members –

ACMHAI is excited to announce the formation of a Board Governance Community of Practice (CoP) — a new, open forum for members to share ideas, challenges, and solutions related to board leadership.

Designed especially to support new, transitioning, and rural boards – including those without staff — this CoP will provide a peer-to-peer space to discuss real-world governance questions, explore resources, and exchange best practices.

Led by Donna Augustyn-Sloan and operating under the Membership Committee to ensure a direct feedback loop to ACMHAI leadership, the Board Governance CoP welcomes all members interested in strengthening board effectiveness and community impact.

If you are interested in participating, please email Jodi at jdart@acmhai.org. Once we have a group, we will determine the meeting frequency and schedule. If you can’t sign up right now, you can still join later — we’re just gathering feedback to help get started.

Stay tuned for details on our first meeting.

Illinois General Assembly Website Update

The Illinois General Assembly has launched its redesigned website at the same address, www.ilga.gov, featuring improved search tools, streamlined committee schedules, and quick links to legislative resources. ACMHAI Members who posted witness slips on the old site will need to create a new account to continue using features like filing and storing witness slips and personalizing the GA Dashboard.

How to set up your new account:

1. Go to ilga.gov.
2. Click “Login” in the upper right corner.
3. Scroll down and click “Register.”
4. Enter your email address, password, and confirm password.
5. Agree to terms and complete the captcha, then click “Register.”
6. Check your email, follow the link to confirm, and enter your confirmation code.
7. Click “Confirm Registration.” You’re now set to participate and track legislative action.

We strongly encourage AMCHAI members to create your new ILGA account before Spring session so you’re ready to file witness slips and stay active in real time.

Once registered, you’ll be able to file and manage electronic witness slips, store views of past slips, track bills and committee schedules, and receive legislative alerts.

Find a full tutorial video here: https://www.ilga.gov/Learn?Name=New Account

Executive Order on Crime and Disorder

President Trump's July 24, 2025 Executive Order shifts federal policy on homelessness, mental health, and harm reduction, expanding civil commitment and restricting “housing first” and many harm reduction programs.

SAMHSA’s Dear Colleague Letter clarifies that funding will no longer support broadly defined harm reduction focusing instead on evidence-based treatment, overdose reversal, and recovery services.

Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) has issued a Provider Notice outlining impacts for service providers.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to remember those lost to suicide, support individuals and families affected, and share hope throughout our communities. The newly released 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit is now available and packed with resources to help you educate, engage, and spread messages of support.

Highlights from the toolkit include:

• Key messages and weekly themes for impactful communication
• Social media shareables (graphics, posts, animations) to amplify your voice online
• Digital stickers, email signatures, and virtual backgrounds to show your commitment
• Hashtags like #SuicidePrevention, #SPM25, and #YouAreNotAlone to connect your efforts on social media

Download the Toolkit today and spread the word this September!

2025 Suicide Prevention Summit

ACMHAI member, the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, is co‑hosting the 2025 Suicide Prevention Summit on Friday, September 19 at the Hyatt Lodge Conference Center in Oak Brook.

This statewide event—Healing Together: Mental Health, Community, and Connection—will bring together professionals, advocates, and community members to explore strategies for suicide prevention and fostering holistic well‑being.

Click here to learn more and register.

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