RCCA Senior Director Update

Serving as the administrative services agency for the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (IDHS/DBHR), the Illinois Regional Care Coordination Agency (RCCA) works to administer approximately 55 percent of Illinois’ Opioid Settlement Funds, as described in the Allocation Agreement. One of our main goals is to ensure the public is informed about the use of these funds. Since January 2023, the RCCA successfully launched 15 notices of funding opportunity (NOFOs). To date, 13 of those NOFOs are in the implementation phase, delivering services to Illinois communities. In the next year, the RCCA will publish additional at-a-glance visuals and information about the funds, programs, their progress, and the work of the regional coalitions.

Subrecipient engagement is a core component of our work. RCCA program managers have developed and maintained productive working relationships with RCCA subrecipients. Their cross-functional collaboration enables the RCCA to serve more than 50 different organizations and has been a critical driver of our momentum. As expected, the first full year of implemented programs revealed a few challenges for our administrative team; we responded by applying mitigation strategies that we monitor regularly. We anticipate continued operational improvements that result in providers more quickly accessing funds to utilize for critical services.

Additionally, we have had the pleasure of coordinating and cofacilitating seven regional opioid advisory coalitions. Consisting of interested individuals and organizations, the coalitions meet quarterly to ensure funding meets the needs of communities disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis. The coalitions’ strategy for fiscal year (FY) 2026 centers on reducing opioid fatalities through a multipronged approach. This includes developing actional recommendations to address gaps in care and improve outcomes, while also strengthening sustainability and operational excellence to foster innovation. A key focus is building a scalable resource model that supports long-term coalition growth, enhances diversity, and ensures consistent reporting and accountability across all efforts.

Overall, the RCCA remains committed to effective management, collaboration, innovation, and equity in service of communities across the state. We are grateful for the ongoing partnership of the Office of Opioid Settlement Administration, IDHS/DBHR, and community organizations. We look forward to working with you in FY 2026.