1511 Questions and Answers

Voucher Respite Notice of Funding Opportunity Questions and Answers

1. We were reviewing the NOFOs for Respite and the question came up here if we can apply for all 3 or not?
   1. Provider agencies may apply for as many or as few programs as they wish. However, a separate application packet would be needed for each NOFO.
2. It is my understanding that we would provide a voucher to families to purchase care. Could this care be done by our nonpaid trained volunteers and the voucher goes to cover the site based cost or in-home monthly billing cost?
   1. Provider agencies will issue a voucher to participating families to purchase or to otherwise provide for allowable services and activities while maintaining compliance with the performance standards and deliverables sited in the NOFO.  If the family wants to purchase their own service then the respite funds should be used to cover the cost. But if the family wants to participate in the respite program at this agency and the agency uses volunteers the agency could use the money for the expenses of that program.  However, In-home respite services should be addressed through the appropriate NOFO. 
3. Unless I missed it, I did not read any statement or clause that precludes independent service coordination (ISC) agencies from applying. Can you please provide clarity on who may and/or may not apply for this NOFO?
   1. Provider agencies will issue a voucher to participating families to purchase or to otherwise provide for allowable services and activities. Therefore, since no services are being provided directly by the provider, ISC agencies would be eligible to bid.
4. The Award Range is listed as $100,000 to $1,065,482 to fund 1-5 Anticipated Awards. What is the total amount of funding available for the Voucher Respite Category? How many organizations in Illinois currently receive funding in this program category?
   1. The total funding amount is listed in Section B of the NOFO. $1,809,010.00
   2.  We currently have 5 providers.
5. For the Voucher Respite, can families choose to "purchase" our agency staff for Respite? Can families choose to utilize Respite groups? Or is this grant strictly to reimburse families for paying a Personal Service Worker (PSW)?
   1. Provider agencies will issue a voucher to participating families to purchase or to otherwise provide for allowable services and activities while maintaining compliance with the performance standards and deliverables sited in the NOFO.  If the family wants to purchase their own service (PSW) then the respite funds should be used to cover the cost. But if the family wants to participate in the respite program at your agency  or a respite group the money could be used for those programs.
6. Is there a set rate for respite services? If so, where can we get it? Also, how many respite hours (in home/out of home) per year can an individual get?
   1. Voucher respite does not have a set rate at this time. 
   2. The hours each individual receives are need based and each proposal should include information about the criteria used to determine the service hours.
7. What areas are currently covered under the Voucher Respite Grant ?