Sunday, March 15th, 2020
Dear Providers,
We want to inform you that, in response to COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is taking extra precautions to keep individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities safe and providers supported during this time.
Community Day Services (CDS)
All CDS sites should be closed by Tuesday, March 17th or sooner. This includes day programs, day training programs, sheltered workshops, and/or any other day site serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) funded by the Division. We ask that you close your programs through April 15th, unless you hear from the Division that we are extending this timeline. Prior to April 15th, the Division will issue further guidance. To preserve access for individuals and to maintain our provider community capacity, the Department will be providing financial support to CDS providers to be used for maintaining staff, space, utilities, cleaning, and other necessary operational expenses. The Department will require documentation from each site regarding expenditures specific to sustaining capacity. A format for reporting will be forthcoming.
Please notify the IDHS Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification (BALC) at dhs.balc@illinos.gov once you have notified all individuals and/or guardians and families of CDS closure by close of business on Tuesday, March 17th. In your email, please include the address of the locations that have been appropriately closed and the date of closure.
Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA)
We understand that CDS closure will require additional staffing in our CILAs. DDD will be adjusting all award letters to provide 24 hour support for all individuals effective March 17, 2020 through April 15th, with the possibility for expansion past this time as necessary.
Private Intermediate Care Facility for DD (ICF/DD)
We are actively working with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to provide guidance for our ICF/DD settings and will be providing an update in the coming days.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jennifer Gentile, Deputy Director of Clinical Services, at jennifer.gentile@illinois.gov or (312) 793-3011.
Again, we encourage you to continue to monitor local health department guidance, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the CDC, and keep in close contact with the Division of Developmental Disabilities. We're here to help you.
Thank you, again, for all that you are doing. Be well.
Warmly,
Allison Stark
Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities
