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Will County health officials highlight Narcan distribution, new peer recovery hires and kits for pregnant/postpartum women
Summary
Dr. Kathleen Burke reported widespread naloxone distribution, a two-person peer recovery program funded by opioid settlement dollars, and rollout of 300 pregnant/postpartum harm-reduction kits; officials invited the committee to local recovery events.
Dr. Kathleen Burke told the committee Will County—s substance-use initiative distributed 608 boxes of naloxone last month, launched a peer recovery support program funded by opioid-settlement dollars and has started distributing harm-reduction kits for pregnant and postpartum women.
The substance-use initiative chief said the county is expanding outreach and direct services and that community partners and the new peer positions are helping clients secure housing and follow-up care after release from treatment or detention.
"We distributed 6 0 8 boxes of Narcan last month," Dr. Kathleen Burke told the committee, citing the health department—s recent outreach. She encouraged awareness of National Naloxone Awareness Day and said the county—s outreach team attends many community summer events.
Burke described a peer recovery support program launched this year with "2, peer support, individuals" hired using opioid-settlement funding. She gave an example of peer support helping a woman who had been living in a motel secure public housing after her mother died: "When you do that, you facilitate their success, their recovery success," Burke said, adding that peer staff free therapists to focus on clinical work while peers handle wraparound needs.
The health department is distributing 300 harm-reduction kits for pregnant and postpartum women that include resources for safe care and connections to doulas and community programs. "We have 300 of these to give out, so we're, distributing them now," Burke said, and noted Catholic Charities and local doulas are among collaborative partners.
Burke also highlighted the Recovery Center of Joliet—s public opening and invited members to the ribbon-cutting and open house. "It's their grand opening. We're gonna cut the ribbon," she said, noting the event schedule and resource tables. She urged committee members to wear purple and recognize Naloxone Awareness Day.
Committee members praised the outreach and asked for follow-up on program impacts and funding sustainability. Burke—s office said the rapid-response and peer programs will continue to provide community-based naloxone distribution and referrals; she also thanked community partners including NAMI and the rapid-response volunteers who assemble kits.
No formal committee vote was taken; members requested continued updates and suggested coordination with other county committees for budget and program support where appropriate.
