Good afternoon,
Happy New Year! I know many of us can't wait to put 2020 in the rearview mirror. But honestly, while the past year has been rife with challenges and uncertainty, I will say that I have been both inspired and grateful for the way that our community and SODCs systems have responded to the pandemic. I also believe we have learned lessons that will serve us well into the future. Thank you for all each of you do.
COVID INCREASES EXTENDED
The Division sent notice last week that we are able to extend the temporary COIVD-19 rate increases allowed for through our Appendix K until its expiration on January 26, 2021. We are hopeful, in working with HFS, that we will be able to extend our Appendix K and will communicate in January further extensions. As a reminder:
- The 5% rate increase to the 60D Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) will continue through January 26, 2021.
- The 15% rate increase for CDS providers (31U/31C) will continue through January 26, 2021.
- All policy amendments will be maintained through January 26, 2021.
- At Home Day Program (37U) will continue to be available, without prior approval, for all CILA residents through June 30, 2021.
You can find the notice here: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=129900
HFS PROVIDER NOTICES
HFS has recently released two Provider Notices of interest. The first is additional guidance for ICF/DDs that are providing their own day services. Please review. The second is an update on the Electronic Visit Verification process and timeline. As a reminder, EVV will specifically impact PSWs in the HBS program. It does not impact any other DD waiver service providers.
You can find both notices here: https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalProviders/notices/Pages/default.aspx
You can find further EVV information here: https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalProviders/Pages/default.aspx (located under "Other Essential Resources" on the Medical Providers page)
https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalProviders/Pages/ElectronicVisitVerification.aspx (Webpage)
NEW CANTS PROCEDURES
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has issued an important notice regarding procedural updates regarding the CANTS background checks. Effective January 1st, 2021: All CFS689 (CANTS) forms not submitted via email will be returned unprocessed to the submitting agency. CFS689 forms will only be accepted electronically, via their dedicated email address: DCFS.689Background@Illinois.gov
Please note:
- CANTS forms must be sent as an attachment with no encryption. Multiple forms (up to 20) can be submitted in 1 PDF document.
- If there is no DCFS history to be reported, you will receive your CFS689 form back via email, with the applied "NO PRIORS" clearance stamp. If there is a POSITIVE HIT, you will receive an email notifying you that your results will be returned via standard mail or fax.
- DCFS processing time fluctuates greatly throughout the year as it is based on the number of forms received. Do NOT resubmit your request as this causes additional delays.
- As a reminder, DSPs can work in CILAs while they await CANTS results.
DIVISION CONTACTS
Reimbursement & Rates Issues
As has been previously reported, George Bengel in BRPS is retiring (but coming back on contract). With that being said, you can always reach out to the following staff who handle the specific areas outlined below:
| Name |
Unit |
Phone |
Email |
| Diane Garbin |
CILA Rates |
217-782-6502 |
Diane.Garbin@illinois.gov |
| Kim Kavanagh |
POS/HBS Rates |
217-557-6451 |
Kim.Kavanagh@illinois.gov |
| Erica Rivera |
ICFDD Rates |
217-558-4315 |
Erica.Rivera@illinois.gov |
Regions Issues
In Maureen Haugh-Stover's absence (her last day is 1/15/21 but she will be helping with the transition through 1/30/21) you should reach out to Kathy Ward at 217-524-2514 or Kathy.Ward@Illinois.gov. However, Regions staff are still able to assist with the handling of all waiver service requests, individual/family inquiries, provider inquiries and ISC issues. Here is their contact information and counties of focus for each staff member:
| Name |
Coverage Area |
Phone |
Email |
| Dorothy Schwartzkopf |
Covers the North Central Region. Counties: Bureau, Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Tazewell, Vermillion, and Woodford |
217-557-8285 |
Dorothy.Schwartzkopf@illinois.gov |
| Tameka White |
Covers the North Central Region. Counties: Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Mercer, McDonough, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, and Warren |
217-524-8966 |
Tameka.White@illinois.gov |
| Nichole Bolton |
Covers the Central Region. Counties: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Greene, Hancock, Jersey, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott and Shelby |
217-524-2521 |
Nichole.Bolton@Illinois.gov |
| Kevin Byrd |
Covers the Northwest Region. Counties: Boone, Carroll, Dekalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago |
217-524-2517 |
Kevin.Byrd@illinois.gov |
| Jessica Link |
Covers the Southern Region. Counties: Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson |
217-782-0385 |
Jessica.D.Link@illinois.gov |
| Roberta Driver |
Covers the Southern Region. Counties: Madison and St. Clair |
217-782-5230 |
Roberta.Driver@illinois.gov |
| Betty Green |
Covers the North Suburban Region. Counties: Suburban Cook and Lake |
708-283-3407 |
Betty.A.Green@illinois.gov |
| LaShawnta' Milton |
Covers the North Suburban Region. Counties: DuPage, Kane and Kendal |
312-814-2021 |
LaShawnta.Milton@illinois.gov |
| Tammie Benjamin-Asare |
Covers the City of Chicago Region. Counties: Cook (South of Madison, i.e., South side of Chicago) |
847-742-1040 x2807 |
Tammie.Benjamin-Asare@illinois.gov |
| Audrey Harris-Palmer |
Covers the City of Chicago Region. Counties: Cook (North of Madison, i.e., North side of Chicago) |
312-814-2019 |
Audrey.Harris-Palmer@illinois.gov |
| Bernice Gray |
Covers the South Suburban Region. Counties: Service providers A-L in Suburban Cook, Will, Kankakee and Grundy |
312-814-8335 |
Bernice.Gray@illinois.gov |
| Bernice O'Brien |
Covers the South Suburban Region. Counties: Service providers M-Z in Suburban Cook, Will, Kankakee and Grundy |
708-283-3408 |
Bernice.Obrien@illinois.gov |
Thank you for all you do. Happy New Year!
Warmly,
Allison
Allison V. Stark
Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Illinois Department of Human Services
600 East Ash-Building 400, Springfield, IL 62703
Tel: (217) 782 -6803
The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel.
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