2487 - NSPL Call Center (400) NOFO

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) - Summary Information

1.	Awarding Agency Name:	Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health
2.	Agency Contact:	Name: Barb Roberson Email: DHS.DMHGrantApp@illinois.gov
3.	Announcement Type:	Initial announcement
4.	Type of Assistance Instrument:	Grant
5.	Funding Opportunity Number:	22-444-22-2487-01
6.	Funding Opportunity Title:	National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call Center
7.	CSFA Number:	444-22-2487
8.	CSFA Popular Name:	National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call Center (400)
9.	CFDA Number(s):	NA
10.	Anticipated Number of Awards:	1
11.	Estimated Total Program Funding:	$9,200,000
12.	Award Range	Up to $9,200,000
13.	Source of Funding:	State
14.	Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	None
15.	Indirect Costs Allowed	Yes
16.	Posted Date:	November 10, 2021
17.	Closing Date for Applications:	December 10, 2021,12:00 PM CST
18.	Technical Assistance Session:	No
19.	Questions Due:	December 3, 2021, 12:00 PM CST
20.	Pre-Award Requirements Due:	December 14, 2021, 12:00 PM CST

Agency-specific Content for the Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Program Description

Scope of Services

The Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking to fund the development of a Statewide Crisis Call Center (CC). The CC will be expected to answer calls from phone numbers identified as registered to Illinois residents, providing primary coverage for geographic areas not covered by the six existing CCs as well as back-up coverage statewide. The Federal Communications Commission has assigned 988 as the new nationwide, 3-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline). The Lifeline is a network of crisis centers serving the entire country. The Lifeline's call routing is based on crisis center call capacity and availability. The Lifeline currently operates under a 1-800 number and beginning July 16, 2022, will be transitioning to a three-digit number (9-8-8). At that time, all phone service providers must ensure all 988 calls are routed to the Lifeline. To support the roll out of 988, develop an expanded crisis service system, and to increase in-state capacity to answer calls to the Lifeline, DMH is seeking an entity interested in becoming or expanding operations of a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline CC. The SAMHSA crisis tool kit: Crisis Services Meeting Needs, Saving Lives describes the critical role that CCs will serve in the expanded crisis continuum. These CCs operate 24/7/365, provide crisis intervention and offer "no wrong door" access to crisis services. CCs are expected to have the capacity to not only answer incoming crisis calls in real time, but to also triage calls and assess for additional needs providing linkage for callers to those services. CCs will also dispatch mobile crisis response services offered under the DMH 590 - Crisis Care System Programs. Additional information on the operations of CCs can be located in the SAMSHA Crisis Tool kit, and any entity applying for the NOFO will need to refer to that document and utilize resources provided in it to complete a successful application. It is expected that CC will be equipped to answer live calls as well as text and chat responses. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) determined that 24.4% of the 91,918 calls received in 2020, were originated from phone numbers associated with Illinois area codes and roughly 24% of those calls were answered by Illinois LCC. DMH is seeking to increase the statewide capacity to answer calls in-state to a target of 80% in the first year of funding working towards 100% capacity in following years. In addition, DMH is seeking to provide capacity for text and chat at 50% in the first year, and 90% in the second year.

Entities seeking funding are required to ensure sufficient levels of staffing are maintained and new staff recruitment, hiring and training is completed within the first six months of funding, and any CC location is created meeting the minimum requirements of the Lifeline. Entities seeking funding are encouraged to incorporate trusted messengers and individuals with lived expertise of suicide attempts/ loss from suicide into their staffing plans.

Deliverables

Performance Requirements:

Ensure management and oversight of all CC operations by a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as defined in IL Adm Code 59 Part 132.25 who serves as CC supervisor and serves as the primary liaison with the DMH for planning purposes. Management and oversight may be face to face or virtual and include group supervision as well as supervision by teleconference and videoconference.
Engage in a contractual agreement with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) to serve as a CC with the designated primary coverage area and a back-up coverage area as defined by the contract with the NSPL.
Develop (if not yet in existence) and maintain a secure CC location where staff can engage in phone conversations with Lifeline callers ensuring the protection of clients' rights consistent with the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disability Confidentiality Act and any additional expectations of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The CC's phone system must meet these minimum requirements:
1. The ability to return a true busy signal (also known as a network or carrier busy signal once the estimated wait time reaches a predetermined length),
2. Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) Compatibility,
3. Note: Centers utilizing Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) technology, which places callers into an internal queue at the CC if counselors are not immediately available, will be required to implement what Lifeline calls Active Answer procedures. With Active Answer, call counselors at the CC will need to press "1" in order to accept a Lifeline call. This process provides some assurance that Lifeline callers are not automatically being placed in long queues at CCs and will allow the Lifeline to re-route calls to backup centers if the center using an ACD system is unable to answer within a specified timeframe. DTMF compatibility is needed in order to implement Active Answer and pass Lifeline automated Quality Assurance (QA) test calls. This means that the center will need to have a phone system that is capable of sending DTMF tones or keypad tones to be technologically compatible with the Active Answer and automated test call features. Centers that do not have DTMF tones will not be able to implement Active Answer or pass the QA test calls and will need to work with their phone providers to modify their current telephony systems or will not be eligible to participate.
4. The center cannot use an automated attendant or voice mail on the termination line receiving the Lifeline/988 calls.
5. The center may not use an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system or any other phone automation/branching technology whereby a caller would need to select certain options to determine where their call is handled at the center level.
6. The center may not forward Lifeline / 988 calls to cell phones or automatically to other organizations.
7. The center shall utilize Lifeline's technology platform (currently PureConnect) when answering Lifeline/988 crisis chats. This system is provided at no cost to centers.
8. The center shall also ensure a stable internet connection for accessing Lifeline's chat platform and shall (optimally) utilize the Chrome web browser when accessing Lifeline's chat platform.
Develop and maintain policies and procedures to ensure the successful operations of the CC, including policies and procedures for providing referrals and access to resources for callers. Maintain referral system and listings as well as assure linkages to the caller's local community crisis services and supports. Referrals and resources should be consistent with the cultural and linguistic needs of callers including veteran appropriate resources.
Establish and maintain a comprehensive set of personnel policies and procedures, minimally addressing hiring, training, evaluation, disciplining, termination, and other personnel matters to ensure 24/7 staffing sufficient to respond to the call/text/chat volume anticipated by the Lifeline. The plan must be sufficient to adequately answer a minimum of 80% of calls, 50% of text/chat during the first year of the program working towards a response rate of 100%. \
All call takers must have access to a QMHP who is available for immediate consultation and supervision of CC operations. Access may be face to face or virtual.
Participate in any required National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network evaluation activities.
Conduct a continuous quality improvement process that includes ongoing call monitoring of Lifeline calls to ensure quality.
Provide a feedback mechanism for all callers to the CC to report concerns and grievances.
Provide monthly data to DMH including, but not limited to:
1. Call volume and answer rates
2. Average speed to answer calls
3. Caller disposition categories
4. Number of calls by suicide experience categories (i.e. loss survivor, attempted survivor, suicide attempt in progress, suicide ideation etc.)
5. Number of calls that resulted in emergency dispatch (911, CARES, etc.)
6. Number by category of how callers learned about the Lifeline
7. Number of callers from outside of the center's primary coverage area
Provide follow-up services based on lifeline best practices and guidelines.

Payment

Reference the Uniform Grant Agreement, Article IV Payment, Section 4.2 Return of Grant Funds and 4.3 Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990. Payment will be issued monthly and reconciled with reported allowable expenses.

Performance Measures

Number of CC lead staff employed.
Number of CC lead staff to function as the liaison between the CC and DMH.
Number of contracts entered between the entity and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Center (Network Agreement Signed).
Number of designated primary coverage area is identified by county and/or zip code and is agreed upon with the Lifeline and reported to DMH.
Number of CC physical location developed meeting the privacy and security requirements of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, and the technical system requirements of the Lifeline.
Policy and procedure manual provided to DMH program manager within three months of development and reviewed annually thereafter.
Number of staff working in the CC.
Number of staff working in the CC who have completed all required training.
Number of months that required submission of reports.
Number of reports received.
Number of evaluation activities completed to promote quality assurance activities.
Number of Lifeline calls provided.
Number of silently monitored Lifeline calls.
Number of silently monitored lifeline calls where feedback was provided to the crisis counselor.
Number of reported concerns, grievances or feedback received from callers.
Number of reported concerns, grievances or feedback were implemented.

Performance Standards

100% employment of CC lead staff to function as liaison between the CC and DMH.
At least one contract entered between the entity and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Center.
100% coverage area identified by county and/or zip code is agreed upon with the Lifeline and reported to DMH
100% operational CC location established consistent with privacy and Lifeline contractual requirements.
At least one CC physical location developed meeting the privacy and security requirements of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, and the technical system requirements of the Lifeline.
Policy and procedure manual was developed and provided to the DMH program manager within three months of development and reviewed annually.
100% of staff working in the CC have participated in required training.
100% submission of required reports.
5% Silently monitored Lifeline calls where feedback was provided to the crisis counselor.
100% implementation of the feedback, concerns, or grievance received from callers.

B. Award and Funding Information

This NOFO is considered a grant agreement and is a competitive application for funding. It is not a guarantee of funding.

This funding opportunity is not limited to those who already have grants with the DMH. All potential applicants are eligible.

Applicants must submit a program plan which supports the level of funding (See NOFO Summary Information above - 11 and 12) and detailed service delivery and deliverables (See Section A Deliverables). This award utilizes State appropriated funds.

Funding Restrictions

IDHS/DMH is not obligated to reimburse applicants for expenses or services incurred prior to the complete and final execution of the grant agreement and filing with the Illinois Office of the Comptroller.

Allowable Costs

Allowable costs are those that are necessary, reasonable, and permissible under the law and can be found in 2 CFR 200 - Subpart E - Cost Principles.

Unallowable Costs

Please refer to 2 CFR 200 - Subpart E - Cost Principles to see a collection of unallowable costs.

Indirect Cost Rate Requirements

Please refer to 2 CFR 200.414 regarding Indirect (F&A) Costs. To charge indirect costs to a grant, agencies must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). If the agency has multiple NICRAs, IDHS will accept only the lesser rate:

Federally Negotiated Rate: Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate.
State Negotiated Rate: The organization must negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois by completing an indirect cost rate proposal in the CARS system if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate or elect to use the De Minimis Rate.
De Minimis Rate: Any non-Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated (including Provisional) rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in appendix VII, Paragraph D.1.b of Part 200, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely.
Elect to Decline any Indirect Cost Rate: Grantees have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Grantees that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs. The organization must record an election of "No Indirect Costs" into CARS.

Renewals

This program will be awarded as a 6-month term agreement with two subsequent, one-year renewal options. Renewals are at the sole discretion of the IDHS and are contingent on meeting the following criteria:

Applicant has performed satisfactorily during the most recent past funding period.
All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division.
No outstanding issues are present (i.e. in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements); and
Funding for the budget year has been appropriated in the state's approved fiscal year budget.

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

This funding opportunity is not limited to those who currently have an award from the IDHS.

Grantees shall provide services to eligible participants without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, and national origin/ancestry. Participants cannot be required to become members of, or participate in, any organization, religion, political group, or community service program as a condition of receiving service.

Registration and Pre-Qualification

All entities must be qualified to do business with the State of Illinois. To be qualified for a grant award, an entity must:

Apply for or update their DUNS number.
Apply for or update their SAM registration and receive a SAM cage code. This must be done annually.
Be registered and in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State (This is not required of governmental entities and schools.)
Register with the GATA system.
Register with the CSFA system.
The CSA Tracking System is where the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) requires all applicant entities to enter their GATA Budget information. It is also where IDHS staff will review and take action on the proposed budget. The CSA Tracking system requires that you have different credentials than what you have for the GATA Portal. Please follow the directions below to sign off on the proposed budget.
1. Please visit the CSA Tracking System page on the IDHS website for instructions on how to register.
2. The applicant entity staff that enter budget information should have a valid User ID, external Illinois.gov ID and Password provided by DoIT. Staff who enter budget information must also list its Executive Director (or equivalent) or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) to sign off on the proposed budget. If your organization has already registered in CSA Tracking System, you still must list the Executive Director (or equivalent) or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent).
3. If you have not registered in the State's Centralized Repository Vault (CRV), please do so. Please visit the CRV page on the IDHS website for instructions on how to register.
4. After you have successfully completed the prerequisites, you can login to the CSA Tracking System. The screen will ask you for your User ID and Password.

It is strongly recommended that if an applicant entity is not already registered in the CSA Tracking System, they should begin the registration as soon as possible so they may submit a signed budget in CSA by the application due date. It may take several days to complete the registration process so do not wait until the application due date to begin the process. For new entities in the CSA Tracking System provide Registration information.

During pre-qualification, verifications are performed to ensure the applicant is not on the Federal Excluded Parties List; not on the Illinois Stop Payment list; and not on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions List.

Pre-Award Requirements

State agencies are federally required to evaluate the risk posed by each applicant. Risk assessments are a pre-award requirement and include two components. These are due no later than December 14, 2021.

Entities must complete an Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ) as the Fiscal and Administrative Risk Assessment. The ICQ is completed once, annually. All state agencies will utilize the results of the ICQ. The entity can access the ICQ from the grantee portal.
Programmatic Risk Assessment (PRA). Potential grantees must submit a Programmatic Risk Assessment. This must be done for each program applied for.

Cost Sharing or Matching: Not required.

Indirect Cost Rate: See Section B Funding Information, Indirect Cost Rate Requirements.

D. Application and Submission Information

Address to Request Application Packet

Each applicant must have access to the internet. Applicants may obtain application forms at the DMH Grant Information website. It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor that website and comply with any instructions or requirements relating to the NOFO.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Each applicant is required to submit a Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance. This is a 3-page document with the first page already completed by the Division of Mental Health. The applicant must check the box "I Agree", sign and date this document. (electronic signature is permitted).
Each applicant is required to submit a Program Narrative. The Program Narrative must include categories consistent with the criteria listed in Section E.
1. The Program Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages. If there are more than 10 pages, the remaining pages will not be reviewed.
2. The Program Narrative should be sequentially page numbered.
3. The Program Narrative must be typed using Times New Roman 12-point type,100% magnification and use black typeface on a white background, Except for letterhead.
4. For charts and tables only Times New Roman 10-point with color may be used.
5. The Program Narrative must be typed single-spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides.
6. The submission must be on 8 1/2 x 11-inch page size.
The Application Packet
1. Submission shall include the 3-page Uniform Application and the 10-page Program Narrative.
2. These must be in PDF or PDF Portfolio format.
3. Attachments: Attachments should be submitted at the time of the application packet in a separate pdf document.
4. Subrecipient budget(s)
  1. If applicant is planning to use a sub-grantee, a pdf copy of the sub-grantee budget must be submitted at the time of the application packet.
  2. Subrecipient budgets shall be submitted on the DHS/DMH Budget template (GOMBGATU-3002-(R-02-17).

Submission Dates and Times

To be considered for award, application materials will only be accepted electronically and must be in the possession of the DMH email address DHS.DMHGrantApp@illinois.gov and by the designated date and time listed in Box 17 of the NOFO Summary above. The deadline will be strictly enforced. Application submissions after this deadline will not be considered for review or funding and will be immediately disqualified. There will be no exceptions.
Emails into this box are electronically date and time stamped upon arrival. For your records, please keep a copy of your email submission with the date and time it was submitted, along with the email address to which it was sent. In the event of a dispute, the applicant bears the burden of proof that the proposal was received on time at the location listed above.
* If you have difficulty emailing the document due to the file size, please utilize the CMS File Transfer Utility. This will ensure large documents are able to cross firewalls and will provide you with a transmission receipt. Please follow the instructions to attach your application. Remember to include the subject line.
If an applicant experiences technical difficulties, an email must be sent to DHS.DMHGrantApp@illinois.gov prior to the submission deadline. If State systems are deemed to be working properly, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their application materials arrive at the appropriate email address before the submission deadline date and time.
IDHS/DMH is under no obligation to review applications that do not comply with the above requirements.
Applicants will receive an email to notify them that the application was received and if it was received by the due date and time. The email reply will be sent to the original sender of the application and Program Narrative.
The subject line of the email MUST state:
1. Applicant Name;
2. Program Name ("400 NSPL Call Center")

Questions

IDHS encourages inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcomes the opportunity to answer questions from applicants. Questions and DHS/DMH Responses "Q&A" will be posted to the DMH Grant Information Website and updated periodically.

Questions about this NOFO, must be sent via email to DHS.DMHGrantApp@illinois.gov. The subject line of the email MUST state: "400 NSPL Call Center - Question(s)". Questions will only be accepted electronically.

Budget Requirements

The CSA Tracking System is where the DHS requires all applicant entities to enter their GATA Budget information. It is also where DHS staff will review and take action on the proposed budget. The CSA Tracking system requires that you have different credentials than what you have for the GATA Portal. Please follow the below directions to sign off on the proposed budget.

Please visit the CSA Tracking System page on the IDHS website for instructions on how to register.
Your agency staff that enter budget information should have a valid User ID, external Illinois.gov ID and Password provided by DoIT. Staff who enter budget information must also list its Executive Director (or equivalent) or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) to sign off on the proposed budget. If your organization has already registered in CSA Tracking System, you still must list the Executive Director (or equivalent) or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent).
If you have not registered in the State's Centralized Repository Vault (CRV), please do so. Please visit the CRV page on the IDHS website for instructions on how to register.
After you have successfully completed the prerequisites, you can login to the CSA Tracking System. The screen will ask you for your User ID and Password.

It is strongly recommended that if an applicant entity is not already registered in the CSA Tracking System, they begin the registration as soon as possible so they may submit a signed budget in CSA by the application due date. It may take several days to complete the registration process so do not wait until the application due date to begin the process. For new entities in the CSA Tracking System provide Registration information.

There is space when preparing the budget on each line item for the budget narrative. For each line in the budget the applicant will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how the amount was determined. Please include cost allocations as necessary. The Budget narrative (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) must clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities within each line item. See instructions for the CSA Tracking System and Budget Information. The budget should be prepared to reflect six months.

A Budget Template and Instructions can be used as a tool to assist in determining expenses; however, the final budget must be completed in the CSA Tracking System. The pdf budget or paper copy will not be accepted. Applicants will NOT be issued an award without a fully approved budget in the CSA System.

Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants must annually apply or update their DUNS number and their SAM registration and receive a SAM cage code, and continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency. The DHS cannot make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the State awarding agency is ready to make an award, the DHS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Funding Restrictions

Agreement Terms

The term of the agreement will be January 1, 2022 and continuing through June 30, 2022 and will require the mutual consent of both parties, be dependent upon the Grantee's performance and adherence to program requirements and the availability of funds. IDHS may withdraw this Notice of Funding Opportunity at any time prior to the actual time a fully executed agreement is filed with the State of Illinois Comptroller's Office.

E. Application Review Information

Program Narrative Criteria

The maximum possible score is 90 points. All submissions will be reviewed, evaluated, and based on the Criteria listed below.

Additional pages/attachments that exceed the narrative as described will not be reviewed or scored. Label each section of the application utilizing the format provided below. Information must be provided in the section in which it is requested.

To be successful in the application process, applicants must submit the following information as part of the grant application process.

Executive Summary (not to exceed 1 page) - 0 Points:

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to present the agency description, history, achievements, service description, financial overview, and future.

Community Identification and Need (This section should be covered in approximately 2 pages) - 20 points:

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for these services within the community and how the proposed project will meet these needs. To successfully respond to this section, the applicant will need to provide a physical description of the identified coverage area for this program. Also include the demographic information regarding the identified coverage area and discuss any link between demographics.

Capacity - Agency Qualifications Organizational Capacity, Experience, Resources (This section should be covered in approximately 4 pages) - 40 points:

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to present an accurate picture of the agency's ability to meet the program requirements. The applicant will need to include their experience in developing the physical space, personnel, and training required to start or expand a call center or similar program, and how they will apply those experiences to the development/expansion of all aspects of their call center. Highlight existing resources and relationships that the organization will utilize to implement a call center or develop utilizing the grant to support the program goals and objectives.

Include a comparison of current technology in use by the agency with the minimum requirements of the Lifeline and describe steps necessary to come into compliance with all required operational standards.

Identify current staff that have the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the program and describe how additional staff will be recruited and hired to ensure sufficient capacity to respond to the volume of calls anticipated.

Describe your organization's plan to successfully implement culturally and linguistically responsive services that reflect the culture, racial, ethnic, and linguistic characteristics of the population.

Describe how organizational and interpersonal bias are addressed within the organization.

Describe the agency's experience collaborating with community-based governance structures and any existing community-based governance structure or boards that will be responsible for ensuring successful implementation of the local crisis system of care Infrastructure. Identify other serving systems that will be involved in the proposed project. Describe previous experience developing similar partnerships.

Quality - Description of Program Services (This section should be covered in approximately 3 pages) - 30 points:

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a detailed, clear, and accurate picture of the intended program design with goals and measurable objectives. These goals and objectives should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). To support the implementation of these SMART Goals, the applicant should provide a timeline depicting the steps they will engage in to meet the goals. A maximum six-month timeline depicting the process to engage in development and/or enhance Call Center capacity must be provided.

The applicant should include any evidence-based practices and interventions that will be implemented to meet the unique needs identified in the service area. Ensure that the diverse needs of the community will be met through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice and supported by trauma informed, Cultural and Linguistically appropriate services.

This section must include a staffing plan demonstrating the required supervisory structure, key activities and responsibilities of staff, level of effort, and experience providing service to the population(s) of focus and familiarity with their cultures and language. The staffing plan must further ensure 24/7/365 operation and consideration of training requirements.

Describe any strategies for incorporating individuals with lived expertise/other trusted messengers into operations.

Describe the method for monitoring the work of call takers to ensure compliance with operational standards, provide feedback to call takers and ensure continuous quality improvement. Include a proposed percentage of calls that will be monitored and provide description for how this will occur.

Provide a detailed description of the agency's experience collecting and analyzing the type of data required for this program. Data that will be reported under this funding opportunity includes but is not limited to the information provided in the Program Standards and Measures. Because the larger Crisis System is still in development entities funded under this grant may be required to conduct needs assessments, participate in surveys, or develop strategic plans.

Describe the agency's experience in participating in these activities via a community collaborative process.

Review and Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed by IDHS/DMH staff familiar with the requirements of the program including services to be performed in specified geographic location, if applicable. Review team members will have no conflicts of interest and will read and evaluate proposals independently.

Appeal Process

Competitive program grant appeals are limited to the merit-based evaluation process only. Evaluation scores cannot be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal.

An appeal must be submitted electronically, in accordance with the grant application document.

An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.

The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:

The name and address of the appealing party;
Identification of the grant;
A statement of reasons for the appeal

Appeals are to be submitted to the following email address: DHS.DMHGrantApp@illinois.gov.

Response to appeal:

The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by DHS/DMH within a reasonable time.

F. Award Administration Information

State Award Notices

Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates

Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the above review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA) via the Grantee Portal. It is anticipated that NOSAs will be made by December 21, 2021.

It is important to keep contact information in the Grantee Portal updated since the main contact is the person notification is sent to.

The NOSA shall include:

The terms and conditions of the award.
Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative review assessment (ICQ), programmatic risk assessment (PRA) and merit-based review.

The NOSA is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs. The NOSA is a notice of the State's intention to make an award but should not be construed as a guarantee of award. A grant award is not considered to be fully executed until both parties have signed the grant agreement.

After acceptance of the NOSA, announcement of the grant award shall be published by the awarding agency. The grant agreement will also be published in the CSA Tracking System for signature.

A Notice of Non-Selection shall be sent via email to the applicants not receiving awards.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Applicants awarded these funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services including indirect cost rate requirements under Award and Funding Information, Indirect Cost Rate Requirements.

The legal agreement between IDHS and the successful applicant(s) will be the standard IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement. If selected for funding, the applicant will be provided an IDHS grant agreement for signature and return. Click here for a sample of the agreement.

Reporting

Reporting requirements for the grant agreement shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section A and shall also comply with the requirements of the Uniform Grant Agreement.

Reporting Requirements:

Time Period for Required Periodic Financial Reports. Unless a different reporting requirement is specified in Exhibit G, Grantee shall submit financial reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 13.1 and reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the quarter ends.
Time Period for Close-out Reports. Grantee shall submit a Close-out Report pursuant to Paragraph 13.2 and no later than 60 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination.
Time Period for Required Periodic Performance Reports. Unless a different reporting requirement is specified in Exhibit G, Grantee shall submit Performance Reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 14.1 and such reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the quarter ends.
Time Period for Close-out Performance Reports. Grantee agrees to submit a Close-out Performance Report, pursuant to Paragraph 14.2 and no later than 60 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination.

Grantee shall submit a quarterly Periodic Financial Report (GOMBGATU-4002 (N-08-17)) to the appropriate email address. Reported expenses should be consistent with the approved annual grant budget. Any expenditure variances require prior Grantor approval in accordance with Article VI of the Uniform Grant Agreement to be reimbursable.

PFR Email Address for General Grants: DHS.DMHQuarterlyReports@illinois.gov

PFR Email Address for Williams Consent Decree: DHS.DMHWilliamsInvoices@Illinois.gov

PFR Email Address for Colbert Consent Decree: DHS.Colbert.Invoices@illinois.gov

The Grantee shall submit quarterly Periodic Performance Report (GOMBGATU-4001 (N-08-17)) and the Periodic Performance Report Template by Program (PRTP) to the appropriate email address below. Reporting templates and instructions for submitting reports can be found in the Provider section of the DHS website.

PPR and PRTP Email Address for All Grants: DHS.DMHQuarterlyReports@illinois.gov

DMH reporting templates and detailed instructions for submitting reports can be found in the Provider section of the DHS website.

G. State Awarding Agency Contact(s)

Point of Contact:

Name: Barb Roberson

Email Address: DHS.DMHGrantApp@illinois.gov

H. Other Information

IDHS reserves the right to request additional information that could assist with its award decision. Applicants are expected to provide the additional information within a reasonable time. Failure to provide the information could result in the rejection of the proposal.

NOTE: Providing the requested information does not obligate DHS to provide funding nor should an agency draw any conclusions about the department's intentions to fund or not fund the application.

The release of this Notice of Funding Opportunity does not obligate IDHS to make an award.

This funding opportunity is considered a new application.

Mandatory Forms -- Required for All Agencies

Uniform State Grant Application submitted to the proper email
Program Narrative submitted to the proper email
Subrecipient Budget(s) Template GOMBGATU-3002-(R-02-17)
Budget submitted using the Uniform Grant Budget (UGB) in the CSA Tracking System with the status as "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review".

Useful websites

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online

Grant Accountability and Transparency Act website

Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) (30ILCS 708/)

2 CFR 200 Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements (2 CFR 200)