In addition to the Emergency and Transitional Housing - E&TH (formerly known as Emergency Food and Shelter - EF&S) Program, Homeless Prevention Program, Supportive Housing Program, and the Homeless Tax Write-In Program, the IDHS Bureau of Homeless Services and Supportive Housing manages several special projects. The projects are described below.

A. Special Projects

  1. Monthly Provider Newsletter:  A not-for-profit organization contracted by IDHS will be responsible for researching funding sources or programs authorized under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act as well as other State, Federal or private funding sources. In addition, this organization will:
    1. collect and disseminate monthly, information of general interest to those who assist homeless persons; and
    2. monitor legislative, programmatic and funding developments pertaining to State, Federal and private provider's and also analyze developments and publicize pertinent information in a monthly newsletter and in bulletins; and
    3. track developments in Federal and State programs that may have consequences for homeless services provider funding sources or eligible activities; and
    4. record and report financial and program information in the form of a quarterly report to fully insure accountability to the State of Illinois; and
    5. participate in the associations and organizations that plan and deliver homeless programs and services including the Illinois Homeless Policy Academy, the Supportive Housing Provider Association, Continuum of Care meetings, the Statewide Housing Action Coalition and Rural Partnership; and

      The organization will submit quarterly reports on work activity performed. The total contract amount is paid upon execution of the contract each year.

  2. Indigent Pharmaceutical Program:  The program assists individuals by coordinating the efforts of the participant, their physician and pharmaceutical companies. The program processes all of the paperwork necessary for physicians to process qualified individuals into charitable programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. The participants are able to receive free prescription medication monthly directly from the drug manufacturer for as long as they remain qualified for the program. Most pharmaceutical companies have indigent programs that provide medication free of charge but they have made the process so complicated that most physician's staff cannot handle the excess paperwork.

    The non-profit agency contracted by IDHS provides quarterly fiscal reports to IDHS to assure accountability. The total amount of the contract is paid as negotiated by IDHS.

  3. SNAP Education and SNAP Outreach Program:  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is mandated to fight hunger and improve nutrition and health for low-income Americans. The FNS mission is to increase food security and reduce hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing low income persons with access to food, a healthful diet and nutrition education. The SNAP Education Program is intended to carry out this mission for the SNAP Program. Under current USDA SNAP regulations (7 CFR 272.2), states have the option of providing nutrition education to SNAP recipients and other low-income households eligible for SNAP as part of their SNAP program operations. Illinois' SNAP Education Project provides practical nutrition education for services for low-income households. Through a working partnership, the Illinois SNAP Program, University of Illinois (Champaign and Chicago) jointly facilitate SNAP-Ed delivery with support and guidance from USDA-FNS. USDA reimburses the State for 50% of the allowable administrative costs deemed reasonable and necessary to operate SNAP Education activities. The SNAP Outreach Program is conducted in partnership with public and non-profit agencies. USDA reimburses the State and its contracted agencies for 50% of the allowable costs approved by USDA's SNAP Outreach Program.

    The ultimate goal of the Illinois SNAP-Ed Program is to safeguard the health and well being of low income households by providing access to a healthy, nutritious diet. The University of Illinois (Chicago and Champaign campuses) are the predominant Illinois sponsoring agencies that are contracted to provide SNAP Education.