Vantage Clinical Consulting LLC

02/17/2026

If you want to strengthen a relationship today, personally or professionally, start here:

Follow through.
Be responsive.

That’s it.

We overcomplicate relationship building. We talk about strategy, engagement, culture, alignment. But in real life, impact is built on two visible behaviors.

When you say you’ll do something, do it.
When someone reaches out, respond.

Those actions communicate respect. Reliability. Emotional intelligence. They signal, “You matter enough for me to act.”

In leadership, consulting, partnerships, even friendships, people are watching for consistency more than charisma. Grand gestures are rare. Daily follow-through is what builds trust capital.

If you want influence, credibility, or stronger connections, don’t start with a speech. Start with your word.

Relationships grow when your actions match your intentions.

02/16/2026

This week marks a real compliance shift for substance use and behavioral health providers...

As of TODAY, the updated 42 CFR Part 2 rule is officially enforceable under a HIPAA-style framework. That means new expectations around consent, privacy notices, documentation and breach reporting are no longer theoretical. They are active.

If your organization handles SUD records, this applies to you.

Here’s this week’s Vantage Policy Watch and what it means for providers on the ground.

https://www.vantageclinicalconsulting.com/post/vantage-policy-watch-week-of-february-16-2026

01/30/2026

Beginning January 2026, Illinois public libraries are officially recognized as naloxone entities under the Illinois Local Library Act (75 ILCS 5/1-8).

This change allows libraries to obtain and maintain naloxone to respond to overdoses on library grounds, in nearby areas, or during library-sponsored events.

This is a pragmatic move. Libraries are trusted, accessible spaces. They already serve as community anchors, cooling and warming centers, learning hubs, and safe places. Expanding emergency preparedness here is about meeting people where they are and responding to reality.

Preparedness saves lives.
This is what public health in action looks like.

Read the full announcement and learn what this means for libraries and communities:
https://dph.illinois.gov/resource-center/news/2025/december/release-20251209.html

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued an updated standing order which adds Illinois public libraries to the list of locations that are permitted to keep a supply of opioid overdose reversal agents on hand, and to allow trained staff to administer them in the even...

01/26/2026

Recovery-friendly workplaces can make a huge difference for employees managing substance use recovery. My blog explores ways to create supportive environments, reduce stigma, and implement policies that help employees thrive in both their recovery and their roles.

It’s also about employees creating their own environments (at work) that support wellness and resilience. Link to blog in comments…

It’s a partnership. Hoping to initiate and keep the conversation going about how we can do better for employees in recovery.

01/25/2026

Quick take: what’s happening with alcohol, THC drinks, and consumer behavior

January is no longer just a short-term reset. Dry January, Damp January, and Cali Sober trends point to a broader lifestyle shift away from alcohol, not a temporary post-holiday pause.

Key signals from the market:

• Alcohol sales continue to underperform in January and are rebounding more slowly year over year, suggesting sustained behavior change rather than seasonal abstinence.

• Nonalcoholic alternatives and THC-infused beverages are gaining ground fast, particularly mocktails, seltzers, and teas.

• Major retailers including Target, Sprouts, Circle K, and national liquor chains are expanding shelf space for cannabis-derived drinks.

• At Total Wine & More, THC beverages and nonalcoholic drinks are among the fastest-growing categories.

• THC beverage sales reached roughly $850 million last year and are projected to grow to about $4 billion by 2028.

Bottom line:
This is not just a January phenomenon. It’s a strategic inflection point for public health, retail, regulation, and prevention. Consumers are actively rethinking alcohol, and the market is responding with alternatives that still offer a “buzz,” raising important questions about access, regulation, and downstream health impact.

Read the full article here:

Sales of beverages containing hemp-derived THC are rising as consumers look for the buzz without the booze. But a new federal law could push them off shelves.

01/22/2026

Earlier this month, the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing Schedule II–V medications through December 31, 2026. This stability matters for access and continuity of care.

In my blog, I speak directly to the broader landscape telehealth sits within, including how it is shaping substance use disorder treatment and what technology developers need to understand about clinical realities, compliance expectations, and real-world implementation.

If you are building or scaling telehealth solutions in this space, let’s talk:
➡️ https://www.vantageclinicalconsulting.com/post/telehealth-in-substance-use-disorders-treatment-opportunities-advice-for-tech-developers

Jamelia Hand

By: Jamelia Hand MHS CADC CODPGina was one of the most exceptional counselors i’ve worked with. Her ability to connect with patients and guide them toward recovery was unmatched, and her dedication to their success made her indispensable at her organization. When I was brought in to help implement...

01/22/2026

Sharing on behalf of the Rush University Medical Center Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence

Faith leaders are on the front lines of community needs, and the opioid crisis is no exception.

This is an important opportunity for clergy, religious educators, lay leaders, and interfaith teams to deepen their impact and equip their congregations with lifesaving knowledge.

FAITH-BASED OPIOID USE DISORDER SYMPOSIUM
📅 February 20, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Southland Equity Initiative
646 Chicago Rd, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

This is a practical, grounded, community-centered experience covering:

• Understanding Opioid Use Disorder, Truth, Trauma, and Stigma
• Naloxone Training
• Becoming a Certified Recovery Church
• Break-out group conversations to build real capacity

They’ll provide a light breakfast, lunch, and a Certificate of Completion.

Faith communities can be a powerful force for recovery, resilience, and hope but only if we’re prepared. This event empowers you with the tools, confidence, and network to act.

👉 Register now: https://forms.fillout.com/t/gLCE7Vnua8us

Jamelia Hand

01/21/2026

For those of us whew grew up in the 80’s, we probably watched the TV show, Knight Rider.

Every little boy in my neighborhood wanted to be the main character, Michael Knight. Knight was not powerful because he had all the answers. He was powerful because he had his car “KITT”, a system that listened, analyzed risk, surfaced blind spots, and helped him make better decisions in real time.

KITT did not replace Michael.
It supported him.

Fast forward to today.

Addiction counselors are navigating complexity, burnout, ethical landmines, and rapidly emerging technology, including AI, often without a safe space to ask real questions. No hype. No fear. Just grounded conversation.

That is what my upcoming session is about.

I am honored to open the NAADAC Engagement in the Black Community Virtual Summit 2026 with a conversation that centers ethics, culture, and human connection, not technology for technology’s sake.

Friday, February 6, 2026
12:00 to 1:00 PM ET
Opening Session, 1 CE

Staying Grounded: Ethical Considerations for AI in Addiction Counseling

We will talk openly about bias, privacy, fear, real world risks, and how AI can be used as a supportive tool, not a replacement for the counselor client relationship at the heart of recovery.

If you have been curious, cautious, or quietly concerned about AI, this session is for you.

Register and view the full summit schedule here:
https://www.naadac.org/ebc2026-schedule

Jamelia Hand

01/19/2026

Today on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor a legacy of dignity, justice and opportunity for all. That’s why the new Illinois Clean Slate Act matters as it moves us closer to a society where a person’s past doesn’t permanently lock them out of their future.

By automatically sealing eligible nonviolent records, the law cuts through bureaucratic hurdles that have kept too many from decent jobs, stable housing and full participation in community life. This isn’t about erasing accountability; it’s about removing barriers long after justice has been served. This is a humane, practical approach that Dr. King would have advocated for.

🔗 Read the official announcement:
http://prez.ly/0U4d

Jamelia Hand

01/19/2026

Before you scroll, take a moment to listen…

Music is one of the most overlooked tools we have for regulation, connection, and healing. Especially during Dry January, it’s a powerful reminder that relief doesn’t have to come from a substance.

What are you listening to this month?

01/15/2026

Less than 24 hours later…

The Trump administration reversed proposed cuts to mental health and substance use disorder grants under SAMHSA less than 24 hours after issuing termination notices that would have eliminated roughly $2 billion in funding. The sudden reversal followed immediate bipartisan backlash and strong warnings from providers and public health leaders about the destabilizing impact on treatment access and frontline services. While funding was restored, the episode exposed how fragile our behavioral health safety net remains when policy decisions shift without notice.

Sweeping cuts to mental health and addiction programs worth more than $2 billion are being reversed. After a political backlash from Republicans and Democrats, the grant money will be restored.