The state of Illinois has a large, talented pool of providers who want to provide high quality and individualized services. The Rebalancing Initiative for state-operated developmental centers allows us to rethink how we attract and invite providers to help in restructuring the system - moving from a facility based "beds" or "slots" approach to one that is person-centered and provides customized services and supports. The restructuring effort also requires us to identify who is currently providing services and supports that are needed and desired and where there are gaps in these services and supports that must be addressed.
A Request for Information (RFI) informational gathering process has been developed in order to identify the capacity of the current provider community as well as what supports will be necessary to assist current providers in their efforts to help achieve the overall goals of this effort.
What is the RFI?
The Request for Information, or RFI, is simply a series of questions that the provider submits answers to. This does not obligate the provider to any services, further processes, etc. but rather serves as a baseline of what services currently exist. This process allows the providers to describe their current service array and capacity and limitations associated with further development, etc.
What is the RFA?
The Request for Application, or RFA, is essentially a continuation of the RFI process. The RFA is directly tied to a provider's willingness to engage in the ACCT process according to the established criteria. Together these are called the RFI/RFA informational gathering process.
The RFI/RFA informational gathering process will be implemented for those providers interested in assisting with the transition of care to the community for current residents of state operated developmental centers ("SODCs").
The submitted information is then placed into a database of providers that agree to meet the established ACCT criteria. Individuals, families, and guardians can access the database to see which providers are potentially willing and able to meet their needs. As individuals and/or their families/guardians express interest in meeting/evaluating providers, SICCS Service Coordination, in cooperation and coordination with the SODC personnel, will then work to arrange opportunities for the individual and their families/guardians to meet those providers.
The expectation is that the individual and/or the families/guardians will then select one of the providers who are able and willing to meet their needs in accordance with the specifics of the person-centered plan and service/support requirements and the approved individualized allocation of resources from the state.
In short, this means that when a provider is selected by an individual and/or their family/guardian, CRA, again in cooperation and coordination with the others identified above, will work with the provider to implement a person-specific transition plan (that includes clinical services as well as crisis prevention and intervention) that corresponds to the completed person-centered plan.
Not an Illinois Licensed Provider?
Read more information at the Illinois Department of Human Services website on Becoming A New DD Provider or Established Provider Adding Services.
