State of Illinois
Department of Human Services
Community Reintegration Program
Independent Living is the right of people with disabilities to control and direct their own lives, to have choices and options and to actively participate in all aspects of society.
The Community Reintegration Program (CRP) is designed to reintegrate individuals between the ages of 18 and 59 who are interested in moving back into the community from a nursing facility setting. Funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS/DRS) and the Illinois Housing Development Authority, CRP is able to provide services and purchase items to establish a home in the community. This program is partially reimbursed by Medicaid.
The goal is to identify the services and support systems that a nursing facility resident may need in order to move into his or her own residence and to live independently again.
The Money Follows the Person (MFP) is sponsored by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). All services through the CRP program are available to MFP recipients.
What the Community Reintegration Program can do for nursing facility residents:
- Locate and secure affordable housing
- Assist with the first month's rent and security deposit
- Provide household items
- Provide assistive equipment and devices
- Arrange for home remodeling to ensure independent safe functioning
- Provide training in independent living skills
- Make referrals of personal assistant services
- Provide personal assistant management training
- Provide case management
- Provide advocacy and peer support.
Qualifications for the Community Reintegration Program
- Resides in a nursing facility in Illinois
- Lives in Illinois
- Is a U.S. citizen or legal alien
- Is between the ages of 18 and 59 (exceptions for the BI and AIDS waiver programs)
- Has a severe disability which will last for 12 months or the duration of life
- Needs long term care as established by the Determination of Need (DON)
- Has physician's approval of plan of care
- Has no more than $17,500 in non-exempt assets
- Receives or applies for Medicaid benefits
- Does not require in-home services that are expected to cost more than institutional care
- Is open to recommendations of staff regarding referrals for other services and demonstrates a willingness to follow through
- Is able to follow all action steps to complete reintegration
- Is able to demonstrate initiative in meeting goals
The Community Reintegration Program is intended to be a one time only process to help with the initial set up of basic living arrangements, as well as linkages to services needed to live independently.
CRP participants are visited in the nursing facilities by a CRP staff person who will do initial assessments to determine if they are appropriate candidates for the program.
When a referral to the program is received, our CRP staff will meet with the potential participant, explain the program and assess the need for services and support the individual will require for a successful transition. Information will be provided to ensure the participant can weigh the pros and cons between nursing facility and community living.
Locate the nearest Center for Independent Living by contacting:
- DHS/DRS Independent Living Unit:
Springfield - 217-782-9689 (Voice/TTY), Chicago - 312-814-4037 (Voice/TTY) www.dhs.state.il.us
- Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living: 800-587-1227 (Voice/TTY) annford@incil.org
For More Information
Call or visit your local Illinois Department of Human Services office.
If you have questions about any Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) program, call or visit your local IDHS?office. We will answer your questions. If you do not know where your local IDHS office is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at:
1-800-843-6154
1-866-324-5553 (TTY)
You may speak to a representative between: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (except state holidays).
For answers to your questions, you may also write:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer and Provider Assistance
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Visit our web site at: www.dhs.state.il.us
Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.
DHS 3002 (N-07-09) DRS Community Reintegration Program
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.
