Home Modification Program (444-21-3214)

Summary Information

Awarding Agency Name Illinois Department of Human Services
Awarding Division Name Division of Rehabilitation Services
Agency Contact David Kuriniec david.kuriniec@illinois.gov
Announcement Type Non-Competitive Renewal
Funding Opportunity Title Home Modification Program - Exempt from Notice Of Funding Opportunity, Merit Based Review
Funding Opportunity Number N/A
Application Posting Date N/A
Application Closing Date N/A
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number 444-21-3214
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Popular Name Home Modification Program
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) N/A

Applicant Eligibility

1.Scope of Services

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) was awarded $4.5 million for development of a home modification program for people with disabilities. See Section 770 of PA 103-006. This home modification program will serve individuals with disabilities not currently served by the Home Services Program. DRS intends to provide grant funding to the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) to administer and implement the home modification program. As part of receiving federal funds supporting the Independent Living Program, Illinois is required to establish a Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC). The SILC, in conjunction with the Designated State Unit (i.e., DRS), is mandated prepare a federally required State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). These provisions are also in the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. As part of the State Plan for Independent Living, the SILC named INCIL as the Illinois lead organization to increase affordable, accessible, safe, and integrated housing for individuals with disabilities. INCIL is uniquely qualified to administer and implement the Home Modification Program, as they represent all 22 Centers for Independent Livings (CILs) across the state. Federal and State laws which define CILs mandate that at least 51% of their staff and boards are people with disabilities. This brings a new level of understanding about the barrierspeople with disabilitiesconfront whenachieving independence, as well as what is required to have success in meeting each client's objectives.

Doing so will increase access to home modifications across the state. This will assist customers served by allowing them to remain in their own homes rather than having to enter long-term care facilities and thereby reduce costs to the state by prolonging/preventing Medicaid from having to pay for long-term care. INCIL will use the funds to pay for home modifications for eligible customers and cover operational costs in addition to the cost of home modifications.

The purpose of the home modifications under this program is to allow people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. INCIL will develop appropriate safeguards for the program, identify and procure contractors meeting all relevant federal, state, and local qualifications to complete the requested modifications for eligible customers. INCIL will allocate funding regionally, with a portion retained by INCIL if a region's demand exceeds available funds. Requests for modifications will be submitted to CILs across the state and bids requested by the CILs will be sent to INCIL for review and processing. Upon completion of the work, and provision of documentation indicating satisfactory completion of the modification, the referring CIL may receive a flat fee.

INCIL will develop all necessary forms to be signed by the customer and contractor as well as training to be delivered at least twice in person and 4 times via virtual platform for CIL Executive Directors and designated liaisons at each Center. Such materials must be approved by Grantor.

INCIL will maintain thorough data on all modifications completed pursuant to this program, including but not limited to customer name, legislative territory modification type and cost, timelines for project completion, contractor name and qualifications, start date, completion date, indication of customer satisfaction. Data will be provided to Grantor monthly. Such data shall also be tracked to the extent possible for requests that do not proceed to modification stage.

INCIL will measure:

  1. Number of requests for modifications.
  2. Number of bids obtained for each request that gets to that stage.
  3. Increase in safety to the customera pre-modification assessment of customer's home will be completed, along with an interview of customer to determine areas of risk/need. Likewise, a post-modification interview will be completed to determine whether the modification increased independence and/or reduced the need for a caregiver.
  4. Medicaid cost savings to the state, using the average nursing home cost as a comparison.

2.Deliverables

1. Training The Grantee will provide all participating CILs multiple opportunities to receive training both virtually and in person.

Deliverable: Training Schedule

Grantee will share the training schedule for all in-person and virtual training sessions.

Deliverable: Training Presentations and Materials

Grantee will share a digital folder with all materials for each training (presentation, PowerPoint, and other educational materials)

Deliverable: Training Attendance Sheet

Grantee will share the attendance sheet of each training. When available, scanned copies of wet signatures will be provided.

2. Evaluation The Grantee will complete an evaluation of the program.

Deliverable: FY24 Evaluation Summary

Grantee will submit a summary that will have written descriptions of all committed evaluation metrics. Grantee will also submit a copy of the spreadsheet that will be developed and used to analyze the program.

3. Ongoing support The Grantee will track all calls, emails, and their outcomes.

Deliverable: Support and Technical Assistance Spreadsheet

Grantee will submit a spreadsheet that will provide summaries of all calls, emails, and other technical assistance interactions with potential customers, contractors, and Centers for Independent Living.

4. Proposed forms for Program Use: Grantee must submit draft forms to be filled out by Customers and Contractors as part of the Home Modification Program for approval by IDHS prior to implementation.

Deliverable: Grantee will submit all forms to be used in implementing the Program to Grantor at least 30 days prior to implementation and incorporate any feedback from Grantor into such forms.

3.Performance Measures

Grantee will electronically maintain, in a format agreed upon by the Parties, thorough data on the following:

  1. Number of CIL staff trained.
  2. Number and format of trainings held.
  3. Number of bids obtained for each modification.
  4. all modifications completed pursuant to this program, including but not limited to:

a.customer name,

b.legislative territory

c.Date of pre-modification assessment

d.modification type

e.Modification cost

f.Projected timelines for project completion

g.contractor name and qualifications,

h.actual projects start date.

i.actual project completion date

j.Date of post-modification assessment

k.indication of customer satisfaction.

5 Number of calls received about the Program, the type of call (i.e., from CIL, current/potential Customer or Contractor) and the result of the calls.

Data will be provided to Grantor monthly. Such data shall also be tracked to the extent possible for requests that do not proceed to modification stage.

Program and Financial Reporting Requirements:

A.Time Period for Required Periodic Financial Reports. Unless a different reporting requirement is specified in Exhibit E, Grantee shall submit financial reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 10.1 and reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the quarter ends.

B.Time Period for Close-out Reports. Grantee shall submit a Close-out Report pursuant to Paragraph 10.2 and no later than 30 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination.

C.Time Period for Required Periodic Performance Reports. Unless a different reporting requirement is specified in Exhibit E, Grantee shall submit Performance Reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 11.1 and such reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the quarter ends.

D.Time Period for Close-out Performance Reports. Grantee agrees to submit a Close-out Performance Report, pursuant to Paragraph 11.2 and no later than 30 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination.

Annual Reporting Requirements:

A. Final Reconciliation is the final financial closeout of the award. A Final Reconciliation Coversheet will be provided by the DRS Contract Project Officer. Training and technical assistance on the completion of the form will be provided by the DRS Contract Project Officer. A Final Reconciliation Coversheet will only be accepted by email to the DRS Contract Project Officer.

Upon the full disbursement of the $4,500,000 grant award, within 60 days the Grantee will provide a final report detailing the return on investment of the home modification program.

Intermediate outcomes that will be tracked and measured over time include:

Safety of the customer's home prior to and after modification

Customer's opinion whether modification increases independence.

If applicable, number of caregiving hours reduced because of modification.

Additionally, DRS may occasionally request financial or program data.

4.Performance Standards

Digitally track activities and monitor regional and project-specific progress.

Output Performance Standards include:

  1. Number of Executive Directors and Liaisons trained: At least 44 people
  2. Number of trainings and technical assistance sessions provided:

2.1 At least 2 in-person trainings

2.2 At least 4 virtual training sessions

2.3 Number of inquiries about the program: Up to 2000 inquiries

3. Number of technical assistance instances provided to CIL Directors: Up to 300 instances

4. Number of unique modifications completed: Up to 800 unique modifications