DDD COMMUNICATION - September 2, 2022

Good afternoon:

QUICK NOTES

• Today, the DDD sent out a communication announcing the extension of the 7% COVID premium increase through December 31, 2022.
• Earlier this week, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) released information on the FY22 ICF/DD ARPA grants provided to ICF/DD facilities under the ARPA Worker Support Program. The communication provides a list of the ICFs that accepted grant awards. Link to HFS' ARPA Payments Webpage is here.
• Please see below for a survey regarding the DDD's current DSP Training and for a list of upcoming DDD webinars!

DSP TRAINING SURVEY - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The DDD is working with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to revise and revamp the DDD's Direct Support Professional (DSP) Curriculum, both the DSP Required Classroom Training and the DSP Required On-the-Job Training. The updated Classroom Training will transition to an online format. The purpose of this survey is to gather diverse stakeholder input about the Classroom Training only, including content, structure, and order. We would like feedback from not only DSPs, but from other provider staff, self-advocates, families, Independent Service Coordinators (ISCs), and other stakeholders with an interest in DSP training. Your feedback is anonymous. Please click here to respond to the survey.

Full survey link: https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9SjlX8RMHQjPjJs

UPCOMING DDD WEBINAR TRAININGS

The DDD would like to announce 3 upcoming webinars that are being presented in partnership with UIC. Please be on the lookout for an email with all upcoming trainings that will go out in the coming weeks.

• September 28, 1-3pm: Supporting People with an Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Diagnoses
  • Topics include an overview of what a dual diagnosis is, Illinois-specific research and statistics, trauma-informed care and the DDD's support for people with dual diagnoses.
  • Registration Link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.phpMTID=m4a0fcb10ec45e6c6ac8ea04675f1ed82
• October 26, 1-3pm: Approaches to Increasing Independence within Transportation for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Topics include the UIC's report on transportation best practices requested by the DDD and at least one of the programs identified in the report.
  • Registration Link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m61d167c19a08936aabe5bd1aea008df6
• November 9, 1-3pm: Improving Direct Support Professional Retention within Home and Community-Based Services
  • Topics include discussion of the DDD's efforts to update the DSP training and examples of providers' successful efforts to identify and retain workers.
  • Registration Link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=mfd4a01038fdbd8e421b43d4835a2f9bf

COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES

The DDD has received a number of inquiries about guidance for Community Day Services (CDS) under COVID-19. The current guidance, released in March 2022, is found here: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=143453. As a reminder, this is guidance, not a mandate. The Division is open to revisiting current guidance to better meet community needs. If you have suggestions on changes, please reach out to Jennifer.Gentile@illinois.gov with specific suggestions on language.

Sincerely,

Sarah Myerscough-Mueller

Interim Director - Division of Developmental Disabilities

Illinois Department of Human Services

401 S. Clinton St., 6th Floor Chicago, IL 60607

O: (217) 524-2512

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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