View as Webpage

Monthly NEWSLETTER

October 2024

Legislative Committee Update

We're pleased to announce that the Legislative Committee recently welcomed our new ACMHAI lobbyist, Liz Brown Reeves. Her expertise will be invaluable as we move forward. The Legislative Committee has also adopted the 2025 legislative priorities, which will guide our efforts as the 104th General Assembly begins its regular session in January 2025.

Member Information Update

To ensure our records are up-to-date, we're reaching out to each member individually for the latest levy information and current staff/board contact details for our listservs. Your prompt response to these requests will help us maintain effective communication within our organization.

We look forward to your participation in the upcoming membership meetings and appreciate your continued support of ACMHAI's mission.

Upcoming ACMHAI Standing Committee Meetings

I/DD Committee: November 12 at 10:00 am | Zoom Link
Legislative Committee: November 19 at 9:00 am | Zoom Link
Membership Committee: November 26 at 10:00 am | Zoom Link
Children's Behavioral Health: November 28 at 10:00am | Zoom Link

Download Event Flyers:

Oct 30 - Breathing and Blinking

Oct 23 - AHEC

Nov 14 - SRN

Jan 14 - Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

Opioid Settlement

The Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board (IORAB) met on October 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM to consider three funding proposals. The proposals focused on treatment and recovery services for tribal communities, youth and family services, and a contingency management pilot program. The board also announced two new Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) - one for an Opioid Training and Technical Assistance Center with a $12 million award over 3 years, and another for Medication Assisted Recovery Mobile Health Units to be awarded to at least four organizations over 3 years. Click here to Apply for NOFOs

Webinar: Loan Repayment Program

Co-Hosted by IABH, CBHA, IARF, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)

The webinar will provide information about the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program, which offers loan repayment assistance to mental health and substance use professionals working in underserved or rural areas in Illinois. It aims to address the shortage of community-based behavioral workers by providing financial incentives for recruitment and retention, with annual awards based on position and available for up to four years. Register for Webinar

BHECON Educational Event

IABH, CBHA, and IARF, with BHECON sponsorship, will host an online event on December 10 from 9:30 a.m. to Noon to discuss key changes in Illinois' behavioral health system. The event will cover the new Illinois Healthcare Transformation 1115 waiver, the CCBHC Demonstration Program, the Unified Crisis System, and the upcoming merger of the Divisions of Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention and Recovery in mid-2025.

Stay tuned for registration info.

Webinar: Bridging the Gap Webinar: Ensuring Continuity of Care After Release from the Criminal Justice System.

NACBHDD, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, and the National Association of Rural Mental Health (NARMH) will highlight transitions of care for patients involved in the criminal justice system, state’s impending re-entry waiver application, and rural communities.

Speakers:

Jonah C Cunningham, President and CEO, NACBHDD
Hannah Yterdal, Community Medical Liaison, Johnson & Johnson
Shauna Reitmeier, MSW, LICSW, Chief Executive Officer, Alluma; Board President, NARMH

Date: Monday, October 21st, 2024

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET

FCC Adopts Georouting as Part of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unanimously approved new rules requiring all wireless carriers to implement georouting for calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This change will allow calls to be routed based on the caller's location rather than their phone's area code, enabling a more localized response and potentially improving access to critical local resources1 3. The new georouting mandate aims to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the 988 Lifeline in providing support to individuals in crisis.

National Council for Mental Wellbeing Statement

FCC press release

Help Us Update Our Records – Share Your Preferences!

We’re updating our records to ensure that our communication with ACMHAI members is as effective as possible! To do this, we need your help! We invite ACMHAI members to participate in our short questionnaire designed to gather the email addresses and listserv preferences of ACMHAI member staff and board members.

Our goal is to ensure that every ACMHAI member (board and staff) receives timely updates and important information tailored to their interests.

Please take a moment to share this link with your board and staff members: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FVHGJWG

Your participation is vital in helping us strengthen our communication, and we appreciate your assistance in this effort. Thank you for your support in keeping our network connected!