IL RCCA Regional Coalitions Quarterly Update
November 2025
Lisa Cook, Ph.D., Senior Program Manager
Rachel King-Johnson, Staff Consultant
Summary
The seven Illinois Regional Care Coordination Agency (RCCA) coalitions conducted their quarterly meetings in November 2025. Coalition co-chairs assisted with facilitation and quarterly meeting planning and met with the Office of Opioid Settlement Administration regarding their respective regions’ coalition recommendations. Meetings focused on current recommendations and the RCCA’s Fiscal Year 2026 Workplan.
Regional Priorities and Building Community Capacity
During the second quarter, the coalitions addressed region–specific needs by identifying underserved populations, assessing accessibility challenges, and developing strategies to enhance substance use disorder/opioid use disorder education in schools and communities. Members prioritized reducing program duplication and aligned recommendations with Illinois’ opioid core abatement strategies to maximize their impact on reducing opioid use and fatalities. Additionally, the coalitions expanded community resources by sharing information about upcoming programs and events and strengthened local networks through the relationship building fostered during coalition meetings.
Looking Ahead
The coalitions maintain an open invitation for community members to join, enhancing representation and ensuring diverse voices inform their efforts.
Regional Priorities
- Region 1 prioritized residents in the area who need treatment services and have to travel long distances for treatment.
- Region 2 continues to address the needs of the unhoused population in the area.
- Region 3 focused on the need for substance use prevention education continuity in schools and other youth-serving organizations and coalitions.
- Region 4 spoke to their regional needs for housing support and infrastructure for housing services in rural areas.
- Region 5 identified a need for transportation for individuals seeking treatment and emphasized that peers are a valuable resource during that time to offer support.
- Region 6 has a need for syringe service provision and expansion in the area.
- Region 7 noticed a regional need for a small-organization collaborative to support minimally funded harm reduction organizations.