Domestic Violence Health Services (24-444-80-3302-01)

Summary Information

Awarding Agency Name Illinois Department of Human Services
Awarding Division Name Family and Community Services
Agency Contact Teresa Tudor
Announcement Type Competitive
Funding Opportunity Title Domestic Violence Health Services
Funding Opportunity Number 24-444-80-3302-01
Application Posting Date November 7, 2023
Application Closing Date December 10, 2023
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number 444-80-3302
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Popular Name Domestic Violence Health Services
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) 93.671
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) n/a
Award Funding Source Federal
Estimated Total Program Funding $9,000,0000
Anticipated Number of Awards Unknown
Award Range $150,000 - $1,000,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement No
Indirect Costs Allowed Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs No
Technical Assistance Session Session Offered: Yes
Session Mandatory: No
Date/Time:  11/16/23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Registration

A. Program Description

  1. Program Summary

    • The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) was awarded funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services Family Violence Prevention Services Act American Rescue Plan Act to focus on ensuring the safety, sustainability, and capacity building of domestic violence advocacy workforce during and after the COVID 19 pandemic. Expanding access to health and behavioral health services for survivors and their dependents is the primary focus of awards made under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Funds may be used to establish, expand, or maintain relationships with health and behavioral health service providers for service provision and/or be used to support personnel and related expenses to provide services within the domestic violence service provider agency.

  2. Funding Priorities or Focus Areas

    • IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.
    • Desired outcomes of Domestic Violence Health Services funded projects include one or more of the following:
      1. Increase access to health and behavior health supports for survivors and children
      2. Establish, strengthen and expand meaningful partnerships between domestic violence programs and health and/or behavioral health care providers
      3. Increase health advocacy services through the delivery of health and/or behavioral health services onsite for survivors
      4. Enhance supportive services for survivors that are safe and accessible where they need them most
      5. Offer well child visits for dependents receiving domestic violence services
      6. Facilitate counseling groups or provide one on one counseling which address behavioral health issues
      7. Conduct birth control education
      8. Establish routine health visits to shelter to expand access to information and services related to health and/or behavioral health for survivors seeking domestic violence services
      9. Provide health education to individuals and families impacted by intimate partner violence and community education and outreach related to prevention and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Applicant agencies must have a primary goal of improving health and wellbeing outcomes for survivors and reduce health disparities exacerbated by intimate partner violence.
    • Examples of desired successes that may be demonstrated include but are not limited to:
      1. Increased health and wellbeing services for survivors and children
      2. Increased collaboration with health and/or behavioral health systems
      3. Establish routine health visits and education for survivors by offering availability of licensed health and/or behavioral health professionals to survivors
      4. Increased accessibility to vaccinations and other health resources for preventative care through public and/or private health resources
    • Other strategies may be included in the application which demonstrate how the funded activities increase access to resources improving overall health and safety of survivors and their vulnerable dependents. Funded applications are anticipated to support activities implemented beginning January 1, 2024, with continuation of services in SFY25 (SFY24 and SFY25 performance periods). Note these are two separate grant award periods.

    • Service Delivery and Eligible Activities

    • The purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen the safety net available and increase the health and behavioral resources available to survivors of domestic violence and their vulnerable family members.

    • Eligible Activities

    • This funding supports IDHS's goals of health and safety with the specific focus on expanding access for health and behavioral health services to survivors of domestic violence and their dependent children. This goal may be achieved through hiring staff for the domestic violence programs and/or contracting out for allowable services. Contracting out for such services may be conducted with for profit entities, not for profit provider organizations and/or individual licensed health or behavioral health professionals. Applicants may use one or more of the following strategies to implement eligible activities for domestic violence survivors and their dependent family members.
      1. Maintain support for ongoing COVID 19 testing.
      2. Contracting to obtain the services of licensed nurses, doctors, and other health professionals and/or organizations to:
        1. co-facilitate group counseling sessions which address the intersection of domestic violence and survivor wellbeing.
        2. offer preventive health screenings and referrals for necessary care.
        3. offer child well visits and physicals necessary for school enrollment
        4. Offer rotations for licensed health professionals to provide assessments and consultations at the domestic violence program.
      1. Contracting with licensed mental health and substance use disorder professionals and/or organizations to:
        1. provide one on one counseling and support to address mental health diagnosis or challenges experienced by domestic violence survivors and/or their dependent family members.
        2. provide one on one counseling and support to address substance use disorders experienced by domestic violence survivors and/or their dependent family members
        3. co-facilitate group counseling sessions addressing mental health and/or substance disorders which address the interaction of domestic violence and survivor wellbeing.
      1. Contracting with licensed mental health or substance use professionals to provide training to domestic violence staff to help them increase their capacity to better respond to complex needs of DV survivors with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
      2. Contracting with licensed substance use or health professionals to train staff to increase their capacity to respond to health emergencies which take place within the dv program (e.g., drug overdose, NARCAN administration, etc.)
      3. Contracting with health departments or other health providers to offer vaccination clinics.
      4. Develop and distribute educational and awareness materials for outreach to educate communities about the impact domestic violence has on health and general wellbeing.
      5. Provide transportation for survivors to seek health and behavioral services available in communities.
      6. Hire licensed personnel to provide health and behavior health services to domestic violence survivors and their dependent children.
      7. Hire personnel to coordinate the expansion of access to health and behavioral health services through contracted licensed professionals (e.g., establish relationships, provide domestic violence education to health and behavioral health professionals, coordinate times/dates of service availability, promote availability with domestic violence staff and others in the community
      8. Hire personnel to provide consultation and education advocacy with child involved systems such as education and/or child welfare to support survivors' dependents with specific health and behavioral health needs impacting success with education and other aspects of their overall wellbeing.
      9. Provide interpreter and translation services to survivors seeking health and behavioral health services.
      10. Establish options to increase accessibility to health and behavioral health services in communities with limited overall availability for in person opportunities (e.g., telehealth options for licensed health professionals)
      11. Provide onsite COVID 19 testing and supplies to help reduce the spread of COVID 19.
      12. Partner with health clinics to provide COVID 19 testing and programs for treatment for survivors.
      13. Contracting with licensed health and/or mental health professionals to conduct assessments for survivors to identify appropriate referrals to meet unmet health and behavioral health needs.
      14. Implement other strategies designed to address unmet health and behavioral health needs of families experiencing domestic violence which will help support their increased safety and overall wellbeing.

    • Allowable Expenses

    • Allowable expenses for this funding opportunity are those necessary, reasonable, and allocable to support the eligible activities for this project. These include but are not limited to:
      1. Compensation for health and behavioral health partners delivering services and/or increasing domestic violence staff capacity to respond to health and behavioral health needs of survivors and their children.
      2. Personnel to carry out approved program strategies as described in the application program narrative.
      3. Personnel to expand the development of relationships and establish collaborations with external project partners to increase health and/or behavioral health outcomes for survivors.
      4. Occupancy and other operational expenses necessary for the delivery of the funded project within the domestic violence program.
      5. Other related health supplies such as medical supplies, COVID 19 test supplies, personal protective supplies, and program supplies such as health resources and education materials.
      6. Printing of educational and outreach materials.
      7. Translation and interpreter services.
      8. Personnel to provide direct grant administration and oversight of the project.
      9. Indirect costs as allowable under 2 CFR Part 200.

  3. Authorizing Statutes or Regulations

    • The funding for this grant opportunity is authorized through the Family Violence Prevention Services Act and The American Rescue Act Plan of 2021

B. Funding Information

  1.  Total Amount of Funding

    1. The Department anticipates the availability of approximately funding $9,000,000
    2. The source of funding for this program is federal funds.

  2. Number of Grant Awards

    • Unknown

  3. Expected Amounts of Individual Grant Award

    • The Department anticipates that grant awards will be $150,000 - $1,000,000 for the 18-month grant period.

  4. Amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years

    •  Not applicable.  No grant award program.

  5. Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.

    • Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than January 1, 2024 and will continue through June 30, 2025.

  6. Renewal or Supplementation of existing projects eligibility

    • Not applicable.  This a new grant award program.

  7.  Type of Assistance Instrument

    • This is a competitive grant award funding opportunity.

  8. Procurement Contract Allowability

    1. Subcontractor Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department. Subcontractors are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the subcontractor.
    2. Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on performance and sufficient appropriation.
    3. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award.

C. Eligibility Information

  1. Eligible Applicants

    1. This competitive funding opportunity is limited to applicants that meet the following requirements
      1. The types of applicants that may apply for the grant award are not for profit 501(c)(3) organizations currently funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention (DVPI) Program to provide crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence and their vulnerable family members are eligible to apply for these funds. Providers not currently funded by IDHS DVPI funding are not eligible to apply. All providers receiving awards as a result of this notice of funding opportunity must already function as part of the statewide safety net for victims and provide trauma informed, quality comprehensive domestic violence services to victims and their vulnerable family members. The goal of this project is to build upon the foundation of these domestic violence services so that survivors have increased access to health and behavioral health resources.
      2. The applicant has met the Prequalification and Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity.
      3. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. Successful Applicants will not receive an award if pre-award requirements are not met
      4. Funding restrictions-See Section D for funding restriction impacting eligibility or no funding restrictions.

  2. Cost Sharing or Match Requirements

    • Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.

  3. Indirect Costs

    •  Indirect Costs may be applied to this grant award.  Indirect cost rates must be approved.

  4. Other

    • Limit on Number of Applications - Applicant must submit only one application for this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

D. Application and Submission Information

  1. Address to Request Application Package

    • The complete application package (this Notice of Funding Opportunity, including links to required forms) is available through the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance and the DHS Grants website page.
    • Each applicant must have access to the internet. The Department's web site will contain information regarding the NOFO and materials necessary for submission. Questions and answers will also be posted on the Department's website as described later in this announcement. It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor that web site and comply with any instructions or requirements relating to the NOFO.
    • Program Email Address:  DHS.DVSAHT@illinois.gov

  2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    • Required Content

      1. Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below.

    • Cover Page

    • The Cover Page must contain the following information and be placed on top of the application packet:

      1. Name of Applicant
      2. Address of Applicant
      3. Point of Contact and email address for Applicant Organization
      4. Name(s) of Project Partner Organization(s)/Consultant
      5. Health needs addressed (check all that apply)
        1. Physical health
        2. Mental health
        3. Behavioral health
        4. Other
      6. Proposed service area (Counties/communities)
      7. Amount of funding requested under this opportunity
      8. Proposed number of victims to be connected to health and/or behavioral health services (adult, children)
      9. Proposed number of direct service hours related to health and behavioral health response provided to those victims from target population (adult, children)
      10. Number of domestic violence staff trained to increase capacity to respond to health and/or behavioral health needs of survivors of domestic violence
      11. Number individuals who receive education and/or outreach services to help meet health and behavioral services of families experiencing domestic violence
      12. Number of individuals who receive education and/or outreach services to help communities better understand the ongoing impact of the COVID 19 pandemic has had on families experiencing domestic violence and related preventative measures

    • Proposal Abstract

    • The Proposal Abstract must provide a short summary (no more than two pages double-spaced) of the proposed project, including names of applicant organization and all project partners/consultants, purpose of the project (including goal and intended outcome); primary activities for which funds are requested, who will benefit (including geographic area to be served), products and deliverables, and how the applicant will measure progress in completing project goals and objectives. Applicants must not summarize past accomplishments in this section. The Proposal Abstract will not be scored but is used throughout the review process.

    • Program Narrative

        • IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.

    • Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments

      1. If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will only consider content contained within that specific section.  The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the order and format outlined below.
      2. Five points will be deducted for applications not adhering to prescribed format.
      3. The Proposal Narrative may not exceed 15 pages, double-spaced, and reviewers will not read beyond this page limit. The Proposal Narrative must include the three sections below. The total point value for the proposal narrative section is 100 points.

    • Statement of Need (25 points)

    • The purpose of this section is for the applicant organization to provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for these services and benefits gained. State and describe the service area, the target population, and the need for proposed services in your community. Information in this section should include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:
      1. Identify the geographic location of the service area including a description of the demographics and geographic areas served.
      2. Identify and describe the unmet health and behavioral needs of community served.
      3. Describe barriers survivors have experienced in obtaining health and/or behavioral health services.
      4. Describe the needs and gaps in services (in the proposed service area) as they pertain to survivors and their dependents.
      5. Describe how the proposed project will meet these needs and gaps in services and benefit unmet health needs of survivors.

    • What Will Be Done (40 points)

      1. The application must provide a clear link between the proposed activities and the need identified in the "Statement of Need" section above. This section must provide:

        1. description of specific goals, objectives, and activities necessary to accomplish associated tasks and intended outcomes of the funded project.
        2. project timeline of proposed activities which clearly state timeframes of planning and implementation of funded project.

      2. This section should provide responses to the following questions as applicable to funded project

        1. What health resources will be made available under this project?
        2. Where will the services offered/provided and by whom?
        3. How will the schedule of services offered/provided to survivors be determined?
        4. How will the services offered to survivors to increase accessibility to health services be promoted within the organization?
        5. How will this funded project eliminate and/or reduce the barriers survivors have experienced in obtaining health and/or behavioral health services?
        6. How will domestic violence program identify and refer survivors to receive health services funded under this project?
        7. How will domestic violence program coordinate health services increasing accessibility for survivor?
        8. How will the services offered to survivors to increase accessibility to health services be promoted within the community and to other organizations?
        9. How will your agency address the confidentiality needs of survivors receiving services from external partners?
        10. How will the proposed project help achieve the desired outcomes intended with these funds?

    • Who Will Implement the Proposal (30 points)

    1. This section must clearly identify the key individuals and/or organizations, including all project partners, involved in the proposed project. If known at the time of writing, identify who or what entities will be contracted to offer services to survivors and the nature of the services delivered by each.
      1. Who in the domestic violence program will be responsible for implementing program activities?
      2. Who in the domestic violence program will be responsible for overseeing and managing the funded program activities?
      3. Who in the domestic violence program will be promoting these activities and referring survivors in need?
      4. How will project activities be integrated in services already provided to survivors and their dependents by the applicant program?
      5. Who at the domestic violence program will engage and collaborate with health service providers to ensure increased accessibility for survivors and their dependents?
      6. What experience or expertise do key personnel and/or contractors have to ensure the success of the project?

      • Budget and Budget Narrative (5 points)

      • The budget must be submitted which covers the anticipated 18-month grant award. The initial proposed budget should be developed in an excel document and divided into two time periods: Worksheet 1 covering 1/1/24 - 6/30/24 and Worksheet 2 covering 7/1/24 - 6/30/25.
      • The Budget must include a narrative or detailed description/justification for each line in the budget and will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how you arrived at the particular amount. Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must also clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, project partner compensation (contractors and subawards).
      • The Budget (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) should clearly describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities described in your plan.
      • Successful applicants will be required to submit their budget in the DHS CSA system prior to a grant award being issued.
      • There is no match requirement for this project.

      • Required Forms

        • The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application.
        • Conflict of Interest Disclosure must be completed and signed by the applicant.

      • Required Format

        • The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the order listed in this section. The application packet must be submitted as one single pdf document.

      • Pre-Award Requirements

        • All successful applicants are required to complete a risk assessment prior to execution of a grant award. The Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ) is one instrument used to assess risk of grantees by identifying an organization's potential weaknesses. The ICQ is accessed through the Grantee Portal.

  3. Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration

    • Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:
      1.  Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date.
      2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UE) in its application
      3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal, Federal pass-through or State award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency.
      4. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements
      5. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.

  4. Application Submission Dates and Times

    • Application Due Date and Time

    • The Department must receive the Full Application
      1. Due on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11:59pm CST.
    • Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order.
      1. Applications must be sent electronically to DHS.DVSAHT@illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to DHS.DVSAHT@illinois.gov. Include the following in the subject line: NOFO number and your agency name. Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will NOT be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive.
      2. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they did NOT receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and/or does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after the 48 hours. In the event of a dispute, the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above.

    • Missed Deadlines

      1. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be separately notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification. For your records, please keep a copy of your submission with the date and time the application was submitted along with the email address to which it was sent. The deadline will be strictly enforced.
      2. IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that the applicant not wait until the last minute to submit an application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation that that may prove their application was submitted to the correct location and that it was received by IDHS on or before the deadline. Applicants should also maintain all electronic documentation, including screen shots, email correspondence, help desk ticket numbers, etc. that would document any unforeseen difficulties the applicant may have encountered regarding the timely submission of the application.

    • Application Checklist

      1. Cover Page
      2. Proposal Abstract
      3. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance
      4. Proposal Narrative
      5. Statement of Need
      6. What Will be done
      7. Who Will Implement the Proposal
      8. Budget and Budget Narrative
      9. Conflict of Interest Disclosure

  5. Intergovernmental Review

    • This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."

  6. Funding Restrictions

    • Unallowable Costs

    • IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records.
    • Direct payments to victims are an unallowable expense per the federal funding source.

    • Pre-Award Costs

    • Pre-Award Costs are allowed subject to the discretion, review, and prior approval of the IDHS Budget Committee. Pre-Award Costs must be identified as such in the IDHS Uniform Grant Budget Narrative.

  7. Other Submission Requirements

    • Electronic Submission

      1. Applications must be submitted electronically to DHS.DVSAHT@illinois.gov
      2. Documents must or must not include a password.
      3. Contact Program Office in the event of technical difficulties.

E. Application Review Information

All competitive grant applications are subject to merit-based review.

  1.  Criteria

    • Applications that fail to meet the criteria described in Section C "Eligibility Information" will not be scored and/or considered for funding.
    • All applicants / applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be notified. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
    • Program staff will conduct an initial eligibility review to determine if an application meets the eligibility requirements published in this Notice and will advance to the next stage of the review process. An application is compliant if the applicant is a current DVPI funded entity, meeting pre-qualified requirements and submits an application by the submission deadline.
    • Scoring will be on a 100-point scale.  Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
      1. Statement of Need - 25 points
      2. What Will Be Done - 40 points
      3. Who Will Implement the Proposal - 30 points
      4. Budget and Budget Narrative - 5 points
      5. Total Possible Points - 100 Points

  2. Review and Selection Process

    1. The process for evaluation of the application is as follows: an evaluation of the application packet will be done by a review team comprised of up to 3 individuals. The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The Department reserves the right to consider other factors such as: geographical distribution, demonstrated need, and agency past performance as a state grantee, etc. While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.
    2. In the event of a tie with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the Department may choose to elect one of the following options
      1. Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications
      2. Partially fund each of the tied application
      3. Not fund any of the tied applications.
    3. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.

  3. Merit-Based Review Appeal Process

    • Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by IDHS' Appeal Review Officer (ARO).

      Submission of Appeal

    • Appeals submission IDHS contact information
      • Name of Agency contact for appeals: Teresa Tudor
      • Email of Agency contact for appeals: Teresa.Tudor@illinois.gov
      • Email Subject Line: Appeal 24-444-80-3302-01

      An appeal must be submitted in writing to appeals submission IDHS contact listed above, who will send to the IDHS Appeal Review Officer (ARO) for consideration.

      1. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.
      2. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
        1. Name and address of the appealing party
        2. Identification of the grant
        3. Statement of reasons for the appeal.
        4. Supporting documentation, if applicable

      • Response to Appeal

        1. IDHS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
          1. IDHS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
          2.  The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by IDHS within the time period set in the request.

      • Resolution

        1. The ARO shall make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information.
          1. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the State Agency.
          2. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination
          3. The determination shall include, but not be limited to
      1. Review of the appeal
      2. Appeal determination
      3. Rationale for the determination.

  4. Simplified Acquisition Threshold - Federal Awards

    • Potential grantees under this funding announcement may receive an award in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. (Refer to 2 CFR 200 Section 200.88). Therefore, the grantee is subject to Simplified Acquisition Threshold. Refer to Section C. 8. Grant Funds Use Requirements for more information.

F. Award Administration Information

  1. State Award Notices

    • Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the above review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include
      1. Grant award amount
      2. The terms and conditions of the award
      3. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA) and merit-based review.
    • Note: The Department cannot issue a NOSA until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into CSA. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. This signed NOSA is the document authorizing the Department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice.
    • The notice is not an authorization to begin performance (to the extent that it allows charging to State awards of pre-award costs at the non- State entity's own risk).
    • A written Notice of Denial shall be sent to the applicants not receiving the award.

  2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    • The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services.
    • To review a sample of the FY2024 IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement.

  3. Reporting

    • Upon execution of the grant agreement, reporting shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Uniform Grant Agreement and related Exhibits which includes, but is not limited to the following:
      1. Time Period for Required Periodic Financial Reports. Grantee shall submit financial reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 13.1 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and reports must be submitted no later than 25 days after the quarter ends.
      2. Time Period for Close-out Reports. Grantee shall submit a Close-out Report pursuant to Paragraph 13.2 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and no later than 25 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination.
      3. Time Period for Required Periodic Performance Reports. Grantee shall submit Performance Reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 14.1 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and such reports must be submitted no later than 25 days after the quarter ends.
      4. Time Period for Close-out Performance Reports. Grantee agrees to submit a Close-out Performance Report, pursuant to Paragraph 14.2 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and no later than 25 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination.
      5. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: Additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in a format prescribed by the Department.

  4. Payment Terms

    • It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that this policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (procedures implementing Cash Management Improvement Act and Treasury-State Agreement (TSA)), and 44 Ill.
    • Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment method exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance. 

G. State Awarding Agency Contact(s)

If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact DHS.DVSAHT@illinois.gov.

H. Other Information, if applicable

Available Resources

  1. National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence (HRC)
  2. Additional resources may be found through the FVPSA funded National Health Resource Center On Domestic Violence which includes Step by step online guide for community health centers on building partnerships with domestic violence advocates and an online toolkit for health care providers and domestic violence advocates to prepare a clinical practice to address domestic and sexual violence, including screening tools, scripts, and other resources Domestic violence survivor health, safety and empowerment - IPVHealth.

I. Mandatory Forms