eNews Flashes: The most up-to-date Prairie Center news
Register for the Walk for Recovery by August 12, 2011... read more.
Political analyst Bob Beckel to speak at September 27, 2011 stakeholders dinner hosted by The Prairie Center... read more.
A Summit of Hope: Public safety through reduced recidivism (repeating undesired behaviors)... read more.
The New Beginnings Program at The Prairie Center; decreasing substance and child abuse... read more.
Save the date! Second Annual Walk for Recovery will be August 20th, 2011 at Centennial Park... read more.
Twenty-eight clients served on May 12, 2011 at Smile Healthy Clinic hosted by The Prairie Center... read more.
Addition treatment saves dollars, treatment supports significant cost savings in other systems... read more.
Newsletters:
Read about the impact of the letters employees and stakeholders wrote to IL State Representatives and more. April Newsletter
Read about the great work of our staff and our Drug Court, New Beginnings and Summer Youth Programs. July Newsletter
Staff Highlights:
April 8, 2011: The Prairie Center's, Chris Ray, received the Harry J. Baker Community Service award from the Champaign County Health Care Consumers at their awards dinner. Congratulations on your work, Chris!
Industry Updates:
April 7, 2011: Illinois House Bill 1530: Parity Bill Passes. This bill will lead to critical implementation of Federal parity regulations in Illinois and establishes key provisions of the Federal law. Read the full article
Provisions including:
- Establishing the definition of "substance abuse disorder"
- Clarifying the medical necessity as it relates to substance use disorders
- Including other licensed or certified professionals at programs licensed under the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act.
- Clarifying the definition of inpatient treatment to include residential treatment services in centers licensed by the Department of Human Services/Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
- Preventing cost-shifting to the publicly funded system
Press Releases:
In light of the continuing financial problems in the State of Illinois, these press releases from the Illinois Alcohol and Drug Dependence Association and other news sources, highlight the importance of organizations like The Prairie Center and the possibilities of funding reductions.
March 7, 2011: IADDA News Weblog, "Illinois House Panel to Hold Vote on Resolution Calling on Governor Pat Quinn to Halt Drug Treatment Funding Elimination" Due to the outcry by prevention and treatment advocates, the Illinois House will vote on HR 106 on Wednesday March 9th to halt treatment and prevention funding elimination from the FY 2012 budget. Read the full article.
February 26, 2011: News-Gazette, "Addiction Programs Get Some Budget Relief" The Prairie Center's detoxification unit reopens after it closed in anticipation of state budget cuts, and suspended plans to layoff employees. However, the state of the budget for FY 2012 is still to be determined. Read the full article.
February 24, 2011: Op-Ed from Senator Hutchinson: "Wrong Way to Balance a Budget" Illinois State Senator Toi W. Hutchinson highlights that cuts today in drug treatment and prevention programs will lead to greatly increased expenditures related to health care, criminal justice, child welfare, public safety and unemployment. Read the full article.
February 24, 2011: Testimony submitted to the Senate Human Services Committee from Bruce A. Suardini, CEO, Prairie Center Health Systems. Read the testimony.
February 23, 2011: IADDA News Weblog, "Legislators Want Governor Pat Quinn To Halt Mid-Year Substance Abuse Treatment Budget Eliminations" State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and Jim Watson introduced bi-partisan Illinois House Resolution, HR 106, calling on the Governor to halt the elimination of non-Medicaid drug and alcohol treatment services. Read the full article.
February 21, 2011: Editorial Board, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Borrowing Trouble: Governor Quinn's dangerous plan to slash drug treatment programs" On February 18th 2011, Governor Quinn announced drug treatment and prevention programs would be cut for the remainder of FY 2011. Read the full article.
February 20, 2011: News-Gazette, "Quinn's Budget Proposal Dismays Agencies" The state of Illinois' Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse is slated for 26.2% funding cut- which could mean a $605,000 loss for The Prairie Center. Read the full article.
Clicking on any of the following stories featuring the Prairie Center will take you to local media sites.
Special Class to Graduate in Champaign: The Journey of one woman in and out of the system and how Drug Court saved her life.
Local Heroin Overdoses: The Prairie Center CEO, Bruce Suardini, speaks about some of the dangers of heroin use.
Day Treatment Program Resumes: The Day Treatment Program, cut in 2008, re-opened in December 2009 thanks to a federal grant.
The Science of Addiction: CEO, Bruce Suardini, speaks about addiction. (Once at the site, please forward the audio to the 5:54 mark to hear Mr. Suardini's interview with WILL/AM radio.)
