Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Illinois (444-30-3025)

Summary Information


Awarding Agency Name	Illinois Department of Human Services
Awarding Division Name	Division of Rehabilitation Services
Agency Contact	Jennifer Grissom Jennifer.Grissom2@Illinois.gov
Announcement Type	Non-Competitive Renewal
Funding Opportunity Title	Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Illinois
Funding Opportunity Number	N/A
Application Posting Date	N/A
Application Closing Date	N/A
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number	444-30-3025
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Popular Name	SWTCIE
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s)	84.421

A. Program Description

1.Program Summary

From Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment for Illinoisans with Disabilities: An Innovative & Collaborative Project Partnership (SWTCIE Illinois) project is designed to increase the self-determination and self-advocacy among SWTCIE participants that will result in competitive integrated employment (CIE). This is a 5-year grant funded through the United States Department of Education and the Rehabilitation Services Administration extending from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2027.

The Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services is partnering with University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign on this project. In addition, SWTCIE Illinois employment specialists will provide services to high school students allowing transition-aged youth with disabilities considering placement in subminimum wage employment to enter directly into CIE. The project will apply a customized employment model statewide across six14(c) organizations that will use scientifically valid wrap-around CIE strategies such as supported employment (SE), customized employment (CE), benefits counseling, job exploration, post-secondary education (PSE), credentialing, job shadowing, internships, and on-the-job training (OJT).

Finally, rather than displacing the workers who have been supporting 14-c certificate holding programs, the project will provide additional training to these organizations to support and continue their work on behalf of people with disabilities in transitioning and supporting CIE. We anticipate such a project will result in systems change across Illinois by developing a sustainable model where persons with disabilities who receive evidence-based services and supports from highly trained employment specialists gain CIE. The goal of SWTCIE Illinois is to increase the opportunity for program participants to obtain competitive integrated employment (CIE).

The Division of Rehabilitation Services requires the timely execution of all initial and amended contractual agreements. Grantees will have up to 14 business days from the date the contract is published to sign and return the required contract documents issued by the State, which may include one or more of the following: initial contract signature page and amendment page. Non-compliance may result in a modified start date of the contract to align with the grantee's submission of the required execution documents. Grantees will not be reimbursed for services provided in advance of the modified start date. When a contract amendment is issued to reduce the value of the contract, non-compliance will result in the full de-obligation of the contract balance regardless of the amended amount.

The Final Reconciliation of a contractual agreement will follow prescribed timeframes communicated annually to community providers.

2.Deliverables

The Division of Rehabilitation Services is investing in employment equity and the transition from SMW employment to competitive integrated employment. The DRS is collaborating with organizations that currently hold or have ever held certificates issued under Section 14(c) of the Fair Standards Labor Act, and who can engage youth and adults with disabilities. The SWTCIE Illinois grant will fund the following required activities:

Engage youth and adults with disabilities who are contemplating or currently employed under DOL 14(c) subminimum wage certificate.
Reassign/recruit, maintain, and develop at least two Employment Specialists with 100% dedication to SWTCIE Illinois project activities.
Dedicate at least two staff members to participate in SWTCIE Illinois required trainings in evidence-based CIE practices, professional development activities, and ACRE certification requirements.
Develop programs in partnership with SWTCIE Illinois project team and implement CIE activities for project participants such as:

a. Supported/Customized Employment

b. Benefits Counseling

c. Job Exploration

d. Post-Secondary Education

e. Job Shadowing

f. On the job experiences

g. Internships or Apprenticeships

5. Grantees will become authorized DRS Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRP) consistent with 89 ILCS 530 and engage in DRS VR contracts.

6. Using SWTCIE Illinois developed protocols, grantees will maintain data and records on SWTCIE Illinois project activities.

7. Grantees will be required to participate in the formal evaluation of the SWTCIE Illinois project, conducted by UIUC on at least a quarterly basis. Grantees must cooperate in the collection of data for this purpose.

8. Grantees will collaborate with SWTCIE Illinois to perform outreach activities such as developing and distributing marketing and communication materials, facilitating outreach events, and otherwise engage key SWTCIE Illinois stakeholders (adults and youth with disabilities, business partners, schools, DRS VR, community members, etc.).

9. Grantees will be expected to work together with families, community entities, local employers, schools, DRS VR, and other workforce partners to provide sufficient wraparound services for participants.

10. Grantees cannot charge participation fees as part of the SWTCIE Illinois project.

Note: All funding awards are based on meeting established activities and outcomes as identified within the NOFO.

Program and Financial Reporting

A. 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.

3.Performance Measures

1. Grantees of the SWTCIE Illinois project will be expected to complete activities outlined in Section A. Project Description, 3. Deliverables, to support the intended performance measures of the project:

a. Engagement

Engage both youth and adults with disabilities who are contemplating or currently employed under a 14(c) subminimum wage certificate.
In collaboration with SWTCIE Illinois, grantee will complete individual assessments and develop a case plan for each participant with a focus on CIE.

b. Staffing

Create new or modify existing job descriptions for all personnel related to CIE activities.
Dedicate 100% effort of at least two ACRE Certified Employment Specialists to SWTCIE Illinois project activities.
Develop a personnel plan to increase agency capacity to serve customers in CIE activities.

c. Training

Ensure all staff providing direct employment services to SWTCIE Illinois customers are ACRE certified.
Ensure all staff members providing direct employment services to SWTCIE Illinois customers attend required trainings in evidence-based CIE practices and professional development activities (weekly technical support, monthly COP, annual meetings, special technical support activities, etc.).

d. Program Requirements

Engage in CIE evidence-based best practices including, but not limited to, business engagement, self-determination, benefits planning, access to integrated community activities, coaching and mentoring.
Expand opportunities for program participants to engage in CIE within targeted employment areas (Essential Workers, Green Job Workers, Home and Community-based services workers, Arts, and Transportation Industry and Related Industry Workers).
Maintain DRS Community Rehabilitation Provider (CRP) requirements consistent with 89 ILCS 530 and engage in DRS VR contracts.

e. Data and Reporting

Using SWTCIE Illinois developed protocols, grantees will maintain data and records on SWTCIE Illinois project activities.
Grantees will be required to participate in the formal evaluation of the SWTCIE Illinois project, conducted by UIUC on at least a quarterly basis. Grantees must cooperate in the collection of data for this purpose.
Using a SWTCIE Illinois developed protocol, submit detailed quarterly and year-end reports regarding program performance measures and outcomes.

f. Outreach and Collaboration

Collaborate with SWTCIE Illinois to develop and distribute marketing and communication materials.
Facilitate outreach events to engage key SWTCIE Illinois stakeholders (adults and youth with disabilities, business partners, schools, DRS VR, community members, etc.).
Work together with participants and families, community entities such as agencies and schools, employers and the business community, DRS VR, and other workforce partners to provide sufficient wraparound services for participants.

4. Performance Standards

1. At the end of each quarter, successful grantees will submit a periodic performance report (PPR) using a SWTCIE Illinois prescribed protocol. At the end of the year, successful grantees will submit a cumulative report. In addition to service data and activities, the PPRs will also include the following performance measures.