Community meeting with attendees listening attentively

Kates ROSC Council

A Community-DrivenRecovery-Oriented System of Care

Kates ROSC Observes · August 31

International Overdose Awareness Day

Remember. Support. Prevent.

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed each year globally on August 31 and serves as the world's largest annual campaign dedicated to ending overdose. The day provides an opportunity to honor and remember those who have lost their lives to overdose while acknowledging the grief experienced by families, friends, and communities. It also promotes evidence-based prevention strategies and harm-reduction education while working to eliminate the stigma often associated with substance use disorders.

Kates Community Initiatives proudly supports International Overdose Awareness Day and remains committed to raising awareness about the dangers of overdose, including the growing impact of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, Kates Community Initiatives promotes life-saving interventions, including increased access to naloxone and other harm-reduction resources, while fostering compassionate, nonjudgmental support for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorders.

International Overdose Awareness Day – purple ribbon, stethoscope, and brain model

Kates ROSC Celebrates · September

National Recovery Month

Recovery. Hope. Healing.

Recovery is transforming lives in every community across America. Through the Great American Recovery, SAMHSA is working alongside states, tribes, territories, local governments, faith organizations, employers, families, recovery community organizations, treatment providers, and people with lived experience to strengthen the systems that make recovery possible for everyone. National Recovery Month is an opportunity to celebrate that progress, recognize those who make recovery possible, and invite every American to be part of building recovery-ready communities.

Learn More

You Are Not Alone

Important Resources to Know

Recovery happens together.

Help is always within reach. If you or someone you love is struggling, free and confidential support is available 24/7. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, reach the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (Press 1) or text 838255, or connect with SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can also find care near you at FindTreatment.gov and FindSupport.gov. Save these numbers and share them — a single resource can be life-saving.

About ROSC

Recovery Oriented Systems of Care ROSC is a network of organizations and services within the community that provides resources and solutions to those in or seeking recovery, family, friends, and the community.

ROSC Councils build collaborations in their communities that connect everyone who can support recovery. This may include local hospitals, primary care, mental health, law enforcement, local business owners, local government representatives and policy makers, persons with lived experience and SUD intervention, treatment, prevention, and recovery support service providers.

Illinois Department of Human Services' Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) has implemented local ROSC Councils in numerous communities through its Recovery Oriented Systems of Care - Illinois Statewide Network (ROSC-ISN) program.

Community-Driven

Local councils led by the people they serve

Person-Centered

Tailored support for every individual's journey

Holistic Recovery

Addressing mind, body, and social well-being

Peer Leadership

Guided by those with lived experience

Focus Communities

Since 2007

Monthly Recovery Meetings

50+

Community Partners

100%

Free Services

Small community discussion group seated in a circle

Woman listening attentively during a meeting

Community Voices

"The ROSC council gave me a place to belong when I had nowhere else to turn. The peer support and community connections changed the trajectory of my recovery."
-- Community Member, Burbank

"Being able to connect with local hospitals, law enforcement, and recovery providers all through one council has been transformative for our neighborhood."
-- Recovery Advocate, Ashburn

"The monthly meetings and Naloxone trainings have equipped our family with the knowledge and resources we needed to support our loved one's journey."
-- Family Member, Auburn Gresham

Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community?

Whether you are in recovery, supporting a loved one, or a provider looking to connect -- there is a place for you at the ROSC table. Join us at our next event or reach out to get involved.

View Upcoming Events Contact Us

News

Featured

National Prevention Week Kicks Off

National Prevention Week is all about celebrating all facets of prevention, highlighting innovation, and telling our story. Substance use prevention is so important — when prevention occurs, everything falls into place to keep our communities and the youth who live in them healthy and safe.

Clarifying Misperceptions, Creating Positive Norms

Part of sharing our story begins with clarifying misperceptions and creating positive norms. Did you know alcohol causes seven different types of cancer, including breast cancer in women? Yet, it's often raffled or given as a prize at cancer charities. This year, we're working to help parents and guardians understand that providing alcohol to their children is not in their best interest.

Prevention & Law Enforcement Partnerships

In celebration of National Prevention Week and in the spirit of working together, we thank prevention coalitions, law enforcement, and alcohol enforcement special agents for all they do for the health and well-being of our communities. Partnerships are a cornerstone for achieving positive outcomes.

Observance

National Recovery Month

2026 Recovery Month Proclamation Signed by Governor JB Pritzker

We are honored to share the 2026 Recovery Month Proclamation, signed by Governor JB Pritzker, in recognition of Recovery Month. This proclamation recognizes the importance of recovery, celebrates the individuals and families whose lives have been transformed through recovery, and acknowledges the continued work of communities across our state to expand hope, support, and opportunities for recovery.

State of Illinois Proclamation signed by Governor JB Pritzker declaring September 2026 as National Recovery Month — State of Illinois · Executive Department — Tap the proclamation to view it full size.

From Our Social Feed

You Are Not Alone - recovery happens together. Crisis resources including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Veterans Crisis Line, Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990, SAMHSA's National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357), FindTreatment.gov, and FindSupport.gov — Recovery Month · Week 1 — You are not alone. Save these numbers and share them with someone who may need support.

Recovery Month · Week 1 — Recovery. Hope. Healing. Share this message to help build recovery-ready communities.

Community member speaking into a microphone to an audience at a recovery forum — Recovery Month · Community Voices — People with lived experience help lead the conversation at Kates ROSC community forums.

Be Part of the Recovery Movement

Recovery-ready communities are built by many hands. Employers, faith organizations, families, treatment providers, and recovery community organizations all play a role. Join a Kates ROSC Council meeting or a naloxone training listed in our Upcoming Events to get involved this September and beyond.

Series

About the Recovery & Well-being Series

These educational meetings have been held monthly since 2007 and were formerly known as “Recovery and Empowerment Statewide Calls.” These meetings are for all people living with mental health or substance use challenges, uniquely designed to provide education and support for individuals in publicly funded treatment and recovery services in Illinois.

About Staff Participation

Staff are welcome to listen in as well. However, the primary purpose of the meeting is to ensure that individuals participating in services have an opportunity to receive information, ask questions, and provide input.

Resource

Download & share SAMHSA's 2025 Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month Toolkit

Download Toolkit

Grant Opportunity

FY27 Competitive Grant: Gambling Disorder Prevention Services

The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery has announced a new FY27 grant opportunity for Gambling Disorder Prevention Services, with approximately $3,500,000 in funding available (between $50,000 and $300,000 per award) and 15–25 awards anticipated.

Apply Now

Toolkit

BHWC: Retention in Action — A Toolkit for Behavioral Health Workforce Success

Effective staff retention is essential for delivering quality care and reducing the challenges of turnover. The need is pressing, yet the time and energy it takes to recruit, train, and support staff can be overwhelming. This toolkit is here to help.

In-Person Retention Events: BHWC will host events in Chicago on February 10, 2026, and in Springfield on April 7, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in both locations.

Kates Community Initiative ROSC Council

Kates Community Initiative (KCI) is committed to transforming lives and strengthening neighborhoods through comprehensive, community-rooted recovery support. We empower individuals impacted by substance use, incarceration, and mental health challenges by providing direct pathways to healing, workforce development, and long-term self-sufficiency. Our mission is to break cycles of recidivism and relapse by addressing the social determinants of recovery—employment, housing stability, peer support, and mental wellness. As part of our Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC), KCI will concentrate its efforts in Burbank, Ashburn, and Auburn Gresham East—communities disproportionately affected by addiction, overdose, untreated mental illness, and systemic barriers to reentry. Through holistic services and strategic partnerships, we aim to restore dignity, opportunity, and purpose to every life we touch.

Community-Driven
Person-Centered
Holistic Recovery Support
Peer Leadership Model

Kates Community Initiatives ROSC Council - Reclaiming Lives and Restoring Hope

Events

We invite all ROSC councils, community members, and recovery support providers to join us for our monthly events and gatherings. Our goals are to: network, fellowship, spread awareness, and increase access to community resources for everyone that supports the ROSC mission. See below for a list of events.