Community Behavioral Healthcare Association

A new report examines how federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—including work/community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations—could affect Medicaid expansion coverage for young adults ages 19–24 beginning in 2028.

Up to 2.3 Million Young Adults Ages 19 to 24 Could Lose Medicaid Under OBBBA’s Work Requirements and More-Frequent Redeterminations The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes several provisions that will make it harder for adults to enroll in and maintain coverage through the Afforda…

📢 New Rural Health Transformation Funding Opportunities

CBHA is pleased to announce two competitive funding opportunities through the Illinois Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program to expand access to behavioral health services in rural Illinois.

The Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) are available now for prospective applicants to review. Applications will open through the Euna Solutions grants portal on September 23, 2026.

Funding opportunities include:
• Community Care Infrastructure/Integrated Care
• Mobile Healthcare Innovation, Including Mobile Crisis Response

📅 Applications open: September 23, 2026
⏰ Applications due: October 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT
💻 Informational webinar: September 23, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT

Learn more, review the NOFOs, and register for the webinar: https://cbha.net/page/rhtprogram

Attention behavioral health providers who take commercial/private insurance! Join our team alongside State Senator Karina Villa, and clinical and policy experts on what to expect when HB1085 goes into effect in 2027. You will learn about implementation, what to expect, and what to do if a plan does not comply with the new law. The learning sessions will be recorded for those who are unable to join us. **IMPORTANT: As a refresher, this new law applies to most commercial/private insurance plans regulated by the state (i.e. fully insured plans). The new law raises insurance reimbursement rates for behavioral health and cuts the red tape (i.e., speeds up credentialing time, ensures multiple appointments in one day get reimbursed).**
This session is great for licensed behavioral health providers.
We hope to see you virtually at one of the learning sessions!

When: Friday, September 25th, 11am-12:15pm
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/C1jARWMyR5eNmS5OpEUecg #/registration

Second Session: Friday, October 2nd, 1pm-2:15pm
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AWkHCJSHTg69YjPyLeYCVg #/registration

Virginia Tech researchers are testing a small wearable patch that can detect fentanyl in the body and automatically release naloxone without a bystander.

Virginia Tech researchers develop smart patch that automatically delivers naloxone during a fentanyl overdose Researchers at Virginia Tech are testing a small wearable patch that can detect fentanyl in a person’s system and automatically release naloxone — no bystander required.

Read Destiny’s story: Voices of Recovery: https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?u=9eb740a8b10326c803e464201&id=6def207120

For Destiny Merritt, recovery has meant surviving some of the most difficult moments of her life, rebuilding what she thought she had lost and ultimately finding purpose in helping others.

“I took my pain and turned it into purpose. I took my survival and turned it into service.”

As part of our Voices of Recovery series, Destiny shares her story of addiction, trauma and survival — and how recovery gave her the opportunity to build a new chapter and help others find their own path forward.

Read Destiny’s story: Voices of Recovery: http://eepurl.com/tGAY1f9e7F

💜 Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in Illinois.

Today, we remember those whose lives have been lost to overdose, support individuals and families impacted by loss, and reaffirm that overdose deaths are preventable.

Carrying naloxone can save a life. Illinois' Good Samaritan Law allows anyone to be trained to carry and administer naloxone without liability, and most insurance plans cover the cost. Naloxone is available at pharmacies and Illinois Drug Overdose Prevention Programs (DOPPs).

To learn more or find naloxone near you, contact the Illinois Helpline at 833-234-6343, text HELP to 833234, or visit https://helplineil.org/. See less

💜 Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in Illinois.

Today, we remember those whose lives have been lost to overdose, support individuals and families impacted by loss, and reaffirm that overdose deaths are preventable.

Carrying naloxone can save a life. Illinois' Good Samaritan Law allows anyone to be trained to carry and administer naloxone without liability, and most insurance plans cover the cost. Naloxone is available at pharmacies and Illinois Drug Overdose Prevention Programs (DOPPs).

To learn more or find naloxone near you, contact the Illinois Helpline at 833-234-6343, text HELP to 833234, or visit https://helplineil.org/.

Today, we recognize International Overdose Awareness Day.

In 2026, International Overdose Awareness Day marks 25 years of remembrance, awareness, and action. This year’s theme, “25 Years On. Still Needed.”, is a powerful reminder that overdose continues to affect individuals, families, and communities across Illinois and around the world.

Behind every statistic is a person. Today, we honor those who have lost their lives to overdose, recognize the grief of their families and loved ones, and stand with people affected by substance use and those in recovery.

We also recommit to expanding access to prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery supports—and to building a behavioral health system where everyone can get the care they need.

Overdose deaths are down nationwide, but advocates say there's still work to do. Heritage Behavioral Health is marking Overdose Awareness Day with its fourth annual event from 3-6 p.m. Monday at the Fairview Park pavilion in Decatur.

It will be free and open to the public.

Heritage Behavioral Health to mark Overdose Awareness Day with 4th annual event Heritage Behavioral Health is marking Overdose Awareness Day with its fourth annual event from 3-6 p.m. Monday at the Fairview Park pavilion in Decatur.