SPRINGFIELD 鈥� Illinois stands to lose billions in federal funds for Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential safety-net programs as implementation of HR1, the federal reconciliation package, takes shape. These cuts pose a serious, long-term threat to behavioral health services for both rural and urban communities alike, deepening Illinois鈥� existing structural deficit. The stakes for families, workers, and providers could not be higher.听听

As a community mental health provider, we see every day how critical it is that Illinois continues to invest robustly in the health and human services that keep people safe, stable, and connected. We appreciate the difficult position thrust upon state governments and were encouraged that Governor Pritzker focused on love, courage, and compassion in yesterday鈥檚 address. We are grateful for investments in behavioral health that his Administration has continued to prioritize throughout his tenure.听

We听were also听pleased that the Governor prioritized housing. Housing is foundational听to听recovery听and a critical piece of 91国产自拍鈥櫶齛pproach.听Sadly, it听remains听out of reach for many, including those struggling with mental illnesses听and substance use听conditions.听Unfortunately, it appears that funding for some supported housing programs would be reduced in the proposed budget. This runs counter to what we know is needed.听听

The reality is听that听the cost of delivering high鈥憅uality mental health and substance use treatment rises each year鈥攄riven by workforce shortages, increasing health insurance costs, and inflation鈥攜et reimbursement rates under Medicaid and state grants have not kept pace.听The gap between what it costs to provide听quality听care and what providers are reimbursed听continues to widen, undermining the sustainability of the very services our communities depend on.听

We urge the General Assembly to听allocate听$10 million for Housing Is Recovery to not only sustain shelter for those currently housed through the program, but to grow capacity to better meet the听needs听across the state.听We look forward to continuing to partner with the Administration and the General Assembly to make this possible.听听

91国产自拍 championed听the passage of听Public Act 102-0066听in 2021,听creating the Housing Is Recovery听program.听Under the leadership of the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery,听it听has since听enabled听162 Illinoisans to gain housing stability.听By reducing hospitalization, institutionalization, and incarceration, initiatives like Housing Is Recovery听and other supportive housing programs听generate a significant return on investment for taxpayers while improving the quality of life for program participants.听Illinois cannot navigate the challenges ahead by cuts alone.听听

Instead,听Governor Pritzker and members of the Illinois General Assembly听must work to听adopt meaningful, progressive revenue solutions that allow our state to stabilize its budget and invest in essential services鈥攊ncluding mental health听care, substance use听treatment, and supportive housing. With the right approach, Illinois can ensure that community-based providers are equipped to meet rising demand, build a strong behavioral health workforce, and deliver care that keeps individuals and families healthy and housed.听

A budget is a statement of values. During this period of fiscal uncertainty, we听call on听state leaders to听continue to听choose investments that protect听our most听vulnerable听neighbors听and strengthen the foundation of our communities. Our state鈥檚 health and future depend on it.听

For media inquiries, contact Chief of Communications, Emily Moen

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On October 15, immigration agents detained Omar Huerta Cisneros, a permanent U.S. resident living with schizophrenia, near his home in Chicago. His family had no information about his whereabouts for nearly two weeks, and reports indicate he was released far from home without support.听

This case is an especially troubling example of the kind of trauma we have seen communities experience from federal enforcement activity. Omar鈥檚 extreme vulnerability due to his serious mental illness meant that being detained without communication put him at significant risk and caused profound distress to his family. This situation demonstrates the failure to protect one of our most vulnerable community members and highlights the urgent need for systems that prioritize care and compassion.

At 91国产自拍, we remain committed to protecting individuals living with serious mental illness and ensuring they are treated with dignity, safety, and respect. We will continue fighting for a community where no one is ever left at risk or alone, and we will work to make sure incidents like this never happen again.

– Mark Ishaug, 91国产自拍 President and CEO

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. 鈥� Last night, in the final hours of the fall veto session, the Illinois General Assembly approved HB1085, landmark legislation spearheaded by 91国产自拍 to strengthen mental health parity and improve access to care for people with private insurance coverage. The bill, which passed with strong bipartisan support, marks a historic sea change by addressing a root cause of providers leaving insurance networks 鈥� insufficient reimbursement rates. Sponsored by Representative Lindsey LaPointe and Senators Don Harmon and Karina Villa, the bill passed with strong bipartisan support in both chambers.

鈥淔ar too many Illinoisans cannot find a therapist or mental health provider covered by their insurance as a result of chronically low reimbursement rates and frustrating red tape that drives behavioral health professionals out-of-network,鈥� said bill sponsor Representative LaPointe. 鈥淪o many need mental health support across our life span 鈥� youth, first responders, and parents just to name a few. It is unacceptable that so many of us cannot use our insurance for both regular and specialty mental health care. HB1085 finally addresses this, getting us closer to treating mental health care on par with physical healthcare.鈥�

By requiring that insurance companies mirror their processes for determining reimbursement rates for medical services when developing behavioral health reimbursement rates, the legislation doubles down on parity and lays the groundwork for improving access to care. The bill will ensure that providers are compensated more fairly and equitably, incentivizing them to come in-network. As a result, individuals with state-regulated health plans will no longer be forced to choose between paying high out-of-pocket costs for vital services or foregoing care.

鈥�91国产自拍 is deeply committed to dismantling barriers to behavioral health care access. We are proud to have led the charge on this critical legislation in partnership with a broad coalition of providers and advocates to ensure that Illinoisans can get the care they need,鈥� said Mark Ishaug, 91国产自拍 President and CEO.

If signed by the Governor, requirements outlined in the bill will apply to plans beginning January 1, 2027.

Contact:

Emily Moen, Chief Communications Officer

emily.moen@thresholds.org

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For the 11^th听year in a row,听91国产自拍 has been named a听. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous third-party survey. Tying our highest ranking ever, 91国产自拍 is #6 among 26 large company winners, and the only nonprofit in that category.

“Being on this list speaks to the compassionate, caring culture that our staff create here at 91国产自拍, said 91国产自拍 President and CEO Mark Ishaug. “And it is a testament to the commitment to our clients and our mission.”

91国产自拍 employs more than 1,300 staff in Chicago and the surrounding counties in a diverse set of roles ranging from finance and administration to front line clinical social workers who provide case management and other services for people living with serious mental illnesses and substance use conditions.

鈥淓arning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,鈥� said Eric Rubino, CEO. 鈥淭hat’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they鈥檙e allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.鈥�

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October 2024 is now Recovery Support Celebration Month in Illinois.

Officially proclaimed by Governor JB Pritzker, Recovery Support Celebration Month honors the unique contributions individuals with lived experience bring to the mental health field by empowering others on their journey to recovery and wellness.听听

His proclamation recognizes the 鈥渦nparalleled positive impact made by Recovery Support Specialists,鈥� and further notes:听

• • • • • • • • • • Recovery support has profound benefits for individuals who have experienced trauma听

• • • • • • • • • • The unprecedented expansion of the recovery support field positively contributes not only to the individual health outcomes, but also to overall community wellness听

• • • • • • • • • • Peers share their recovery experience to provide hope, encouragement, and resources, and to advocate for health and wellness.听

鈥�91国产自拍 proudly employs 35 staff who are either Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) or are in the process of obtaining certification,鈥� says Chief Clinical Officer, Debbie Pavick. 鈥淲e are equally proud of all our staff in recovery across our organization, who bring valuable lived experience to their work with our clients. These dedicated individuals serve in a variety of roles, including our Peer Success Centers, Homeless Outreach Program, Crisis Response teams, Research and Evaluation department, and more. They are truly everywhere, and we are better because of them.鈥�听

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We write you today with deep sorrow, anger, and heartbreak over the tragic death of Sonya Massey. Sonya was a Black woman in clear mental health distress who called law enforcement for help, only to be fatally shot by one of the officers听entrusted to assist her. Our hearts break for Ms. Massey, her family, and for every person experiencing the entrenched scourge of racial discrimination in our society.听 Our hearts break for those experiencing mental health crises who fear how they will be treated in times of need.听听

It is an undeniable injustice that Black people in crisis are killed by police at a disproportionate rate when they call 911, compared to their white counterparts. We cannot allow this to continue.听

As an organization that understands clinical intervention, we know what investments are needed because we advocate for it every day: Preventive care; equity between mental health care and other healthcare; street outreach to those experiencing homelessness or substance use conditions to enable a pathway into supportive services; safe, affordable housing; harm reduction services; integrated behavioral health and medical care; readily available crisis care by mental health professionals; and a strong 988 mental health crisis response system for people calling for help, like Sonya Massey.听听听

Our determination, hope, and fierce commitment are the driving force in our life-long fight for racial equity, and for building the right societal investments to support the mental health needs of everyone in crisis and long before a crisis happens, particularly in Black communities where divestment has been the norm for generations.听听

We also know that effective crisis response requires collaboration. Our Crisis Intervention Team training prepares law enforcement officers to de-escalate situations and connect individuals in crisis with the support they need. Law enforcement plays a crucial role to aid our members and 91国产自拍 is a proud partner with that agency. However, we must 鈥� we absolutely must 鈥� continue to address the deep, corrosive discrimination within a small fraction of the law enforcement personnel that are harmful to our communities.听

We will not rest, and we will not stop fighting for what is right, fair, and humane.听 Together, we can make a difference.听听

听

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This is why 91国产自拍 and the Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives Coalition successfully led in 2020 establishing the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program and secured $10 million in state funding to support it.听The legislation passed with the full approval of the Pritzker Administration and the General Assembly. 听

The program provides a permanent rental subsidy and supportive services to people who are unhoused and at risk of unnecessary psychiatric institutionalization, overdose death, or re-incarceration due to a serious mental health condition or severe substance use disorder.听This provides a new, and much-need pathway into safe, affordable housing and wrap around services to meet the person where they are in their recovery, while also taking a harm reduction approach by not requiring treatment or abstinence to be eligible for the rental subsidy.听

91国产自拍 is honored to be awarded a $1 million grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services for this work. 91国产自拍鈥� Housing is Recovery (HIR) pilot program will serve 30 individuals at considerable risk of unnecessary institutionalization and overdose who reside in Cook County, Illinois. Over the 12-month grant period, 91国产自拍 will use multiple outreach and referral sources to identify people who qualify for this听program. These include internal programs and external partnerships. 91国产自拍鈥� internal programs, which have specialized expertise reaching this population, include the Homeless Outreach Program (HOP), the Living Room crisis center, the Substance Use Treatment Program, the Mobile Crisis Response Team, and the psychiatric crisis response teams embedded at Stroger ED (Emergency Department) and, via telehealth, at Provident Hospital ED. 91国产自拍鈥� Access and Intake department, which evaluates community referrals for 91国产自拍鈥� clinical services, will also be trained on the program eligibility criteria and add it to their screening process.听

, an affiliated primary health clinic in the Austin, Chicago neighborhood, will also be trained on program eligibility and encouraged to make referrals.听

We could not be prouder to take a public policy solution from concept, to legislation, to implementation, alongside our advocacy and provider partners. We also want to thank the Governor and the General Assembly for their commitment to addressing the unhoused population living with a serious mental health or substance use condition.听

听

Media Contact: Emily Moen, 773-572-5172

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This Act puts mental health on par with other medical conditions by allowing insurance coverage of prevention visits. 鈥淚t can take 10 years on average for someone with a serious mental health need to find the right treatment. The Mental Health and Wellness Act will enable earlier identification and treatment for a mental health issue rather than waiting for debilitating symptoms to occur before therapy or other treatment is covered,鈥� says Heather O鈥橠onnell, Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Advocacy at 91国产自拍.听听

Illinois is one of a handful of states that have passed similar laws. 91国产自拍 applauds the General Assembly and the Governor for advancing this important legislation to improve mental health parity and access to prompt treatment. We are proud to be a part of a vocal, passionate community of advocates pressing for improvements to mental health and substance use treatments throughout state.听

Media Contact: Emily Moen, VP of PR & Marketing, 773-572-5172

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Federal grant awarded to 91国产自拍 will enable them to adopt the innovative Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model

Media Contact: Emily Moen, 773-572-5172

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, September 23rd, 2022鈥擳he federal (SAMHSA) awarded two grants to 91国产自拍 this week totaling $2 million per year for up to 4 years, allowing 91国产自拍 to implement the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model for care delivery on Chicago鈥檚 North Side and in McHenry County.

With this new funding, 91国产自拍 is among the first CCBHCs in Chicago. It now has the opportunity to expand services to serve as a 鈥渙ne-stop shop鈥� for mental health, substance use treatment and other health care services in their communities. The CCBHC model ensures access to 24/7/365 crisis care, care coordination with hospitals, law enforcement and schools and access to high-quality services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help stop the overdose crisis, among other capabilities.

鈥�91国产自拍 is thrilled to launch two CCBHCs in Illinois to provide a wide range of mental health and substance use treatment services to even more people that otherwise would not be able to access them. We consistently see that the need for high-quality, wide-ranging mental health services outstrips our capacity,鈥� says Mark Ishaug, 91国产自拍 CEO. 鈥淲e applaud all the lawmakers that have supported expanding services through the CCBHC model.鈥�

鈥淲e know that mental health and substance use treatment encompass far more than psychiatry or therapy, and the increased care coordination in the CCBHC model will further strengthen Illinois鈥� network of services,鈥� says Debbie Pavick, 91国产自拍 Chief Clinical Officer. 鈥淐CBHCs are another step towards strengthening our state鈥檚 mental health safety net.鈥�

91国产自拍 will also partner with and in McHenry County and in Chicago to provide primary care and substance use treatment to youth and adults through the CCBHC model.

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With the need for treatment at an all-time high, 91国产自拍 applauds Governor Pritzker for committing to an additional $140 million to meet the behavioral health needs of communities across Illinois in his proposed budget today, as well as $40 million for innovation. We stand with Governor Pritzker, as we do with House Majority Leader Greg Harris and Senator Elgie Sims, who are championing increased investment in mental health and substance use treatment in the General Assembly.

We are also extremely encouraged that the Governor committed to appointing a Chief Behavioral Health Officer to work with the multiple state agencies and stakeholders to develop a vision for growing access to treatment in every corner of our state and working to implement that vision. It is more important now than ever to get ahead of the state鈥檚 growing mental health and overdose crises. Thank you to Rep. Deb Conroy and Senators Laura Fine and Sara Feigenholtz for your determination to establish this position.

Mental health and substance use treatment has been out of reach for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with just 23% of the state鈥檚 residents who need services able to access care.

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the mental health of every age group and community in Illinois, with the rates听of psychological distress and drug overdose skyrocketing since 2020. The number of adults experiencing anxiety or depression has more than doubled during the pandemic, and overdose deaths spiked 33% during 2020, killing 2,944 Illinoisans.

Yet treatment remains out of reach for most because providers are not able to hire and retain staff to meet community needs with existing state funding, exacerbating the crisis. In fact, over 4.8 million people in Illinois live in a community that does NOT have sufficient mental health professionals.

We are grateful for the leadership of the Governor, Leader Harris, and Sen. Sims for their commitment to tackle this crisis head on and invest in the people of Illinois who need mental health and substance use services. 91国产自拍 is and will remain a strong partner with the Pritzker Administration, the General Assembly, and advocates across the state through the Rebuild Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Coalition to ensure these investments are solidified in the final state budget.

鈥淎s one of oldest and largest providers of mental health and substance use treatment services in Illinois, we know that recovery for our clients is possible with the right public sector investment,鈥� said Mark Ishaug, 91国产自拍 CEO. 鈥淚n turn, investing in these services is also an investment in better health in our communities.鈥�

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