Q&A (26-444-22-3072-01)

Q: Would this grant opportunity allow for a juvenile reentry program, or is there a grant out there specifically for this?
A: The Successful Re-Entry program will operate in up to three IDOC centers: Lincoln CC, Logan CC, and/or Decatur CC. These three facilities all house and serve an adult population. Therefore, juveniles are not a part of the participant population for this program.
Q: The NOFO lists a Project Director and a CRSS or CPRS as required staff. Are there any other required staffing qualifications?
A: No
Q: How many staff are required, and is there a minimum or maximum staff to client ratio?
A: There is not a required number of staff for the program, but the application must at a minimum include a Project Director who will be responsible for all aspects of development and oversight of the Successful Reentry Program and either a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) who is credentialed or can obtain one of these credentials within one year of date of hire. There is not a minimum or maximum staff to client ratio.
Q: In addition to the correctional facilities listed on the NOFO, are there any designated counties or service areas that are required under this program?
A: Not that are required, no. The application narrative should identify the proposed service area to be covered.
Q: In section C. of the NOFO (Executive Summary), the text states that eligible clients must be "scheduled for parole within six months of entering the program." However, in Section III (Program Requirements), the NOFO states that eligible clients must be "scheduled for parole within the next 12 months." What is the minimum timeframe for parole for eligible clients?
A: The minimum timeframe for parole eligible clients is 6 months. Given that adjustments for 'good time' do occur for individuals in custody, participants can be enrolled with a release date up to 12 months out.
Q: Under this NOFO, how is "serious mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges" defined? Are there examples of targeted diagnoses?
A: Rather than identifying particular diagnoses, individuals eligible for this program would be selected from those that IDOC designate as "on the mental health caseload."
Q: Are applicants required to diagnose program participants?
A: No
Q: Is there opportunity for renewal of funds beyond the grant term? If so, for what renewal length?
A: Per the NOFO, Section A 5, Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on sufficient appropriation and performance criteria including, but not limited to:
1. Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period.
2. All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department.
3. No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.).