Title XX DFI Self-Sufficiency and Self-Support (DRS)-DeafBlind (444-30-1288 DFI-DB)

Summary Information

Awarding Agency Name Illinois Department of Human Services
Awarding Division Name Division of Rehabilitation Services
Agency Contact Holly Cunningham Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov
Announcement Type Non-Competitive
Funding Opportunity Title Title XX DFI Self-Sufficiency and Self-Support (DRS)-Deafblind 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 444-30-1288
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Popular Name DFI-Deafblind
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) 93.667

1. Scope of Services

This grant will provide services for individuals aged 18 to 54 whose dual hearing and vision loss (DeafBlind) makes competitive employment difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible. Allowable services are used to provide independent living services, conduct activities that will improve or expand services for these individuals and conduct activities to improve public understanding of the problems of these individuals. Services are designed to help persons served under this program to adjust to their combined hearing and vision loss by increasing their ability to care for their individual needs. Individuals being serviced through this contractual agreement, who are also IDHS/DRS Vocational Rehabilitation customers, may receive services that provide information, instruction, and advocacy. However, services that provide equipment, devices and similar tangible items are not allowable.

Services include:

  1. Outreach services to include Information to other professionals, educators, and individuals in the community about the availability of these services. This may be provided by utilizing various types of media.
  2. The provision of services and equipment to assist a DeafBlind individual to become more mobile and more self-sufficient.
  3. Sign instruction to individuals who are DeafBlind. This may include a variety of techniques such as tactile, hand-overhand, tracking, tactile fingerspelling, and other communication techniques that allow individuals with access to communication.
  4. Any other appropriate service designed to assist an individual who is DeafBlind in coping with educational challenges, including supportive services and rehabilitation teaching services.
  5. Independent Living skills training (age appropriate), information and referral services and peer counseling.
  6. Advocacy services to individuals who are DeafBlind. This could include self-advocacy, case management and associated services.

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.

Statement of Work To ensure adequate coverage for services provided to customers, grantees are expected to maintain normal business hours Monday-Friday. The Department of Central Management Services maintains an annual Holiday calendar used by the State of Illinois:

https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/personnel/employeeresources/pages/stateholidays.aspx.

Any deviation from this calendar must be pre-approved in writing from the Grantor Contact on Exhibit D Contact Information identified in the Uniform Grant Agreement prior to implementation of a change. Unapproved closures for reasons other than natural disasters or other situations when significant numbers of employees are prevented from reporting to work will be deemed as a breach of the Statement of Work and may lead to a prorated financial offset equivalent to the unapproved days of closure.

2.Deliverables

This contract will be used to provide services to individuals who are DeafBlind. A DeafBlind individual is defined as someone who has a dual sensory loss (i.e. an individual who has both a vision and hearing loss). These individuals utilize varying degrees of their remaining vision and hearing.

1. Provide assistive technology devices and aids. As defined in Section 3(4) of the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-364), "assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." Assistive technology devices may include such items as canes, slates, insulin units, CCTV's, computers, adaptive software, magnifiers, adaptive cooking items, adaptive recreational items, handwriting guides, Braillers, large button telephones, etc.

2. Provide assistive technology services and training. As defined in Section 3(5) of the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (PL 108-364), "assistive technology service means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device." Services may include the evaluation of assistive technology needs of an individual, services related to acquisition of technology, costs of loan programs, maintenance and repair of assistive technology, training or technical assistance for the individual or professionals related to the use of assistive technology, programs to expand the availability of assistive technology, low vision therapy services related to the use of optical aids and devices, and other services related to the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

3. Provide community orientation and mobility *(O & M) services or travel training (i.e. learning to access public or private transportation and to travel safely and as independently as possible in the community with or without the use of mobility aids and devices).

4. Provide communication skills training (e.g. reading and writing Braille, keyboarding and computer literacy, computer skills training, using the telephone, handwriting guides, telling time, using readers, use of audio and tactile technologies for home, recreational or educational use; etc.). Training in the use of newspaper reading services and radio services. These activities can help individuals successfully restore and maintain their functional ability to engage in their customary life activities within their home environment.

5. Provide personal management and daily living skills training (e.g. training in the use of adaptive aids and assistive technology devices for personal management and daily living, blindness and low vision alternative techniques for food preparation, grooming and dress, household chores, medical management, shopping, recreational activities, etc.)

6. Provide supportive services (e.g. reader services, transportation, support service providers, interpreters, etc.) while actively participating in the program or attaining independent living goals.

7. Provide advocacy training or support network activities such as consumer organization meetings, peer support groups, etc.

8. Provide individual counseling and support group meetings in your location or in the community to assist them in adjusting to visual impairment and blindness.

9. Provide information and referral to other service providers, programs, and agencies (e.g. senior programs, public and private social service programs, faith-based organizations, consumer groups, etc.) to enhance adjustment, independent living, and integration.

10. Provide information and referral services to any individuals requesting information about low vision or blindness for whom this is the only service provided.

11. Provide awareness and community events throughout the fiscal year. Awareness events defined as occurring in the community (State, County and local fairs, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes etc.) providing information about the program, about blindness and low vision, causes of low vision and blindness, impact of blindness on self, family members, friends, general public, professionals and others.)

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.

E. A Monthly Grant Expenditure Report (MGE) will be provided by the 15th of each month. This report is a new requirement for DFI grants. The report must include the number of consumers who participated in individual blind services along with their unique identification number. The number of people served versus identification numbers must match.

3.Performance Measures

  1. Number of individuals projected and served will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  2. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who received information and referrals to other service providers, programs, or agencies to enhance adjustment, independent living, and integration into the community will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  3. Number of requesting individuals and percentage of total served who received information about low vision or blindness for whom this is the only service provided will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  4. Assistive Technology:

A. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who received assistive technology devices and aids will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

B. Number of individuals and percentage of those receiving assistive technology who regained, increased, or improved functional abilities previously lost due to vision loss will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

  1. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who received assistive technology services and training and number who regained, increased, or improved functional abilities previously lost due to vision loss will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  2. Orientation Services:

A. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who received home orientation and mobility services, and number who experienced functional gains or maintained their ability to travel safely and independently in their home environment will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

B. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who received community and travel orientation and mobility services, and number who experienced functional gains or maintained their ability to travel safely and independently in their community will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

  1. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who received services or training in communication, alternative non-visual or low vision techniques will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  2. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who received support services toward independent living goals while participating in the program will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

A. Number of individuals and percentage of total served who can list one or more skills in activities of daily living and personal management that they have now that they didn't have before they received services will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

B. Number of individuals and percentage of total served that reported that they are in greater control and are more confident in their ability to maintain their current living situation as a result of identifying appropriate housing, accessible transportation and other support services will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

  1. Number of projected and completed advocacy trainings and support network activities such as consumer organization meetings, peer group meetings, and etcetera will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  2. Number of projected and completed individual counseling sessions and support group meetings in your location or in the community to assist individuals in adjusting to vision loss and blindness will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  3. Number of projected and completed community events and public awareness activities targeting minorities and other older blind individuals who have traditionally been underserved will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  4. Number of projected and completed community awareness events and activities to groups and individuals for whom this was the only service provided such as information and training to other professionals, the general public, friends and relatives will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.
  5. Number of projected and completed satisfaction surveys will be tracked for each quarter and the fiscal year.

4.Performance Standards

    1. At least 95% of individuals served from the amount projected for the Fiscal Year.
    2. Recorded number of individuals and percentage of total served who received information and referrals to other service providers, programs, or agencies to enhance adjustment, independent living, and integration into the community.
    3. Recorded number of individuals and percentage of total served who received information about low vision or blindness for whom this is the only service provided.
    4. Assistive Technology.

  2. A. At least 80% of individuals received recommended assistive technology or low vision aids.

    B. At least 80% of individuals who received Assistive Technology services and training, regained, increased or improved functional abilities previously lost as a result of vision loss.

    1. At least 80% served who received assistive technology services and training regained, increased, or improved functional abilities previously lost due to vision loss.
    2. Orientation Services

    A. At least 80% of individuals who received home Orientation services experienced functional gains or maintained their ability to travel live safely and independently in their home environment.

    B. At least 80% of individuals who received community and travel Orientation and Mobility services experienced functional gains or maintained their ability to travel safely and independently in their community.

    1. At least 80% of individuals who received services or training in communication, alternative non-visual or low vision techniques experienced functional gains or were able to successfully restore and maintain their functional ability to engage in their customary life activities within their home environment and community.
    2. Support Services toward independent living goals.

    A. At least 80% of individuals can list one or more skills in activities of daily living and personal management that they have now that they didn't have before they received services.

    B. At least 80% of the individuals served reported that they are in greater control and are more confident in their ability to maintain their current living situation due to services.

    1. At least 90% of the projected advocacy trainings and support network activities such as consumer organization meetings, peer group meetings, and etcetera were provided.
    2. At least 90% of the projected individual counseling sessions and support group meetings to assist individuals in adjusting to vision loss and blindness were provided.
    3. At least 90% of projected community events and public awareness activities targeting minorities and other older blind individuals who have traditionally been underserved were provided.
    4. At least 90% of projected community awareness events and activities to groups and individuals for whom this was the only service provided such as information and training to other professionals, the general public, friends and relatives were provided.
    5. At least 80% of the projected satisfaction surveys will be provided and at least 60% will be returned.