Epilepsy NOFO Questions and Answers
1) Q: How can we better determine the amount we are requesting?
A: Access the funding requirements for the coming years including program funding, employee salary increases and other financial needs.
2) Q: If our agency requests funding that is too much or too little, will the grant requesting agency be disqualified from a grant award amount or will the grant amount need to be adjusted?
A: Please complete the budget in the amount your agency requires to run the program, taking into consideration inflation, program need, and staff retention costs. The final award amount is up to the discretion of the awarding agency.
3) Q: Our expenses will be different in year two with an increase due to going from 2.5 FTEs in year one to 3 for year two. On the other hand, some upfront costs are one time only or won't recur for several years, cutting costs in equipment and training, for example. Should I account for that in the 26 budget or just leave it as is?
A: Please complete your budget with both fiscal years in mind, as well as any changes within those fiscal years, that your agency projects. The CSA budget that is submitted with the application process, is not the final budget. Once an agency is awarded funding, they will be notified with a Notice of State Award (NOSA). At that time a final budget will be completed. The total amount of the budget is determined at the time of the NOFO. Expenses on the budget can be changed annually.
4) Q: To continue serving both Northwest and Central regions, should I include them both on one application?
A: You would need to submit a separate application for each region since the funding is separate for each region.
5) Q: We submitted the ICQ last week, but the "Accepted" status for the ICQ and audit is still pending. If the status is not marked as "accepted" prior to the April 4th application deadline, can you confirm as soon as possible that the pending status does not disqualify us from applying for the DHS epilepsy services grant?
A: We will review all pre-qualification information for the NOFO during the Merit Review Process. The ICQ should show that it has been Submitted.
6) Q: Does the program narrative/proposal require a cover sheet?
A: We don't require a cover page for narrative/ proposal. For additional format information, please see NOFO, Section 4. Application Content and Format.
7) Q: Is there any info on dates for the FY26 applications?
A: Please be sure to use the DHS.DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov email for all NOFO questions and applications.
IDHS: Epilepsy Program (26-444-24-0830). Application Posting Date: March 3, 2025. Application Closing Date: April 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST
8) Q: For the Executive Summary mentioned in the application review criteria, should that be in the same PDF with the main narrative, or should it be sent as its own document?
A: Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order.
This should be all sent as separate documents:
1. Program Narrative - this is Program Narrative and Proposal Narrative Content with Attachments (see NOFO, IV Application Contents and Format, A, 3 Program Narrative and Proposal Narrative Content with Attachments). Add page numbers. This is part of the no more than 25 pages. Example of file name "26-444-24-0830, NOFO Epilepsy Program Application, your Agency's Name, Program Narrative.
Executive Summary - The Executive Summary will serve as a stand-alone document. (see NOFO, III Program Description, B, 1 for Funding Tier System information). Continue page number. This is part of the no more than 25 pages. Example of file name "26-444-24-0830, NOFO Epilepsy Program Application, your Agency's Name, Executive Summary.
2. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance - Example of file name "26-444-24-0830, NOFO Epilepsy Program Application, your Agency's Name, Uniform Application
3. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure - Example of file name "26-444-24-0830, NOFO Epilepsy Program Application, your Agency's Name, Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure
4. Budget- entered into the CSA system and copy in PDF format. Example of file name "26-444-24-0830, NOFO Epilepsy Program Application, your Agency's Name, Uniform Grant Budget
9) Q: We were hoping you might be able to help us with an inquiry. We are currently working on our FY26 grant application and budget. As an organization, we are anticipating some additions to our headcount that support our programming for people with epilepsy. In order to accommodate them, we are planning on some renovations at our downtown Chicago office. We do have a construction estimate from a vendor. The guidelines in the portal instruct us to reach out for prior written approval. Can you please advise whom we would reach out to for this request for consideration and what accompanying documents (besides the written estimate) they may require?
A: Capital expenditures are not allowable under this grant. This would include renovations to an office space is not allowed.
Your agency may purchase new furniture and office equipment, if awarded and the proposed expenses are approved, if the items are within the scope of the Epilepsy Program. Please refer to 2CFR200 for additional information.
10) Q: Can you please confirm Answer #4 on the Q and A page is correct? The NOFO doesn't reference regions, so I was just writing our application as a continuation of the way we have been contracting these past few years. I'm going to be hard pressed to rewrite into two separate grant applications by the deadline. And, if the regions are specified, are you using the same old map to define them, as a search of the DDD site shows some different possibilities where the counties are split out differently?
A: Separate applications should be submitted for each region. There should also be one budget entered for each region you are applying for.
11) Q: Can you please tell me what map to use to identify the regions?
A: Examples of regions of service - Southern, Northern, Central IL, Congressional areas, or counties currently serve persons with I/DD.
