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New Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery Launches
Illinois Department of Human Services integrates divisions to improve outcomes and access, promoting recovery and wellness for all Illinoisans
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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the newly formed Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) has officially begun operations. Housed in the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the new division integrates the former IDHS Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) and Division of Mental Health (DMH).
Governor Pritzker signed an Executive Order February 2025 instituting the change to improve outcomes and access to behavioral health care and to streamline and reduce administrative burdens for providers. The executive action went through the legislative process and became law.
“The new Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery will promote a stronger, more unified approach to serving people in Illinois seeking treatment for substance use disorders and mental illnesses,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This move will allow providers to focus on the important work of administering care. Integrating these divisions will unite the expertise of staff and move us forward in providing access to high-quality treatment for those who need it.”
One primary goal of the integrated DBHR is to streamline care for patients who have complex and co-occurring needs. According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in four people who experience a severe mental illness and 32% of people receiving inpatient psychiatric care also have a substance use disorder. Additionally, half of people receiving inpatient care for substance use disorder also have a psychiatric disorder.
“IDHS is committed to equitable access to behavioral health care in Illinois. This integration will improve outcomes for residents of Illinois, especially those with complex needs. It will improve access to treatment and provide improved quality of care,” said Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary. “There have been previous attempts to join this work formally, and we are so proud to take this important positive step. I want to thank Governor Pritzker for his commitment to quality behavioral health care in Illinois and for his support for those in recovery.”
Dr. David Albert will serve as the Director of the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. Dr. Albert served as Director of DMH starting on January 1, 2020. Dr. Rafael Rivera, previously the Interim Director of SUPR, will serve as the Assistant Director of DBHR. All previous SUPR and DMH employees are now a part of the new, integrated DBHR.
“I am honored to serve as the Director the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery,” said Dr. David Albert. “We are working closely with staff, providers, and community partners to ensure an effective transition and deliver the highest standard of care. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has offered their unwavering commitment to this important work. Together, we are proud to lead the charge in advancing behavioral health care in Illinois.”
The new DBHR will continue to deliver inpatient, outpatient, and community-based substance use disorder and mental health services across Illinois through a broad network of state-operated facilities and community partners.
“Ensuring Illinois has the best behavioral health system in the country is our priority and this is another substantial step towards that goal,” said Illinois Chief Behavioral Health Officer Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler. “The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery will help support more integrated systems and quality outcomes benefitting individuals needing care, their families, and providers.”
The new DBHR supports the state’s commitment to address the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic and to ensure that individuals have access to life-saving behavioral health resources when they need them. Over time, the integration is designed to streamline processes to reduce administrative burdens on providers and promote recovery from mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
“We are thrilled that the state is creating the IDHS Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. Our clients will greatly benefit from this new division’s combined talents and their focus on supporting recovery with well-integrated mental health and substance use treatment,” said Mark Ishaug, President and CEO, Thresholds.
“We at Rosecrance are excited for the launch of the new IDHS Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. This is a key step to coordinating care and improving access to behavioral health care,” said Dave Gomel, Ph.D., CEO, Rosecrance Behavioral Health. “We look forward to streamlined processes and to improving the experience for those who seek lifesaving care.”
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