Substance Use Training and Technical Assistance (SATAC) FY26 444-26-2379-02

I.  Basic Information (CSFA Data Section)

Items I(A) - I(E) are in the CSFA Data Table Below:

I.  Basic Information Continued - Section F through I

F. Funding Details.

1. Total Amount of Funding

   1. The Department expects to award approximately $1,600,000.
   2. The source of funding for this program is state and federal funds.
2. Number of Grant Awards
   1. The Department anticipates funding approximately one (1) grant awards to provide this program.
3. Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards
   1. The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be $1,600,000
4. Amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.
   1. Previous funding amounts for this grant award program on average was $1,081.250
5.   Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility.
   1. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new State awards.
   2. 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.).

  6. Procurement Contract Allowability

  7. Funding restrictions

  8. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award.

G.  Key Dates

H.  Executive Summary: 

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR) is seeking a Substance Use Training and Technical Assistance Center (SATAC) to establish training programs, technical assistance services as well as information and resource platforms. The SATAC's initiatives are designed to significantly enhance and expand the implementation of evidence-based practices and promising strategies for addressing substance use and co-occurring disorders.

The overall goal of this program is to strengthen, enhance, and improve Illinois' capacity to effectively address substance use and mental health problems across the continuum of treatment and recovery services and improve overall health outcomes.

SATAC will provide free training, technical assistance, and information resources to increase the skills of individuals, communities, and organizations interacting with and serving individuals and populations at-risk, with SUD/CODs and in treatment, or seeking recovery. In addition, SATAC will provide continuing education opportunities that allow SUPR licensed and funded organizations the ability to meet the requirements of the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS) Block Grant.

Eligible applicants include private or public non-profit entity, including local governments, academic institutions, or other community-based organizations with a current physical office location and staff based in Illinois. Eligible applications also must have at least three (3) years of experience implementing deliverables and programmatic focus of this project; and demonstrated organizational, administrative, and programmatic capacity, experience, and expertise to meet the deliverables, monitor subcontracts and administer grant funds.

I.   Agency Contact Information.

II Eligibility 

1. The specific types of applicants that may apply for the grant award are:
   1. A Private or public non-profit entity, including local governments, academic institutions, or other community-based organizations with;
      1. a current physical office location and staff based in Illinois;
      2. key program staff in place 60 days post-award;
      3. at least three (3) years of experience implementing deliverables and programmatic focus of this project; and
      4. Demonstrated organizational, administrative, and programmatic capacity, experience, and expertise to meet the deliverables, monitor subcontracts and administer grant funds.
2. The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity.
   1. Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee:
      1. Organization name and contact information
      2. Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN)
      3. Unique Identity Number (UEI)
      4. Organization type
   2. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. Items a) through e) below are the prequalification requirements.
      1. Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration: Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:
         1. Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date.
         2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application.
         3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the awarding agency.
         4. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.
         5. The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants.
      2. Must be in "good standing" with the Illinois Secretary of State if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity's organization type to be registered.
      3. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List
      4. Must not be on the Sam.gov Exclusion List
      5. Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List
3. Eligibility factors for the principal investigator or project director if any: N/A.
4. Successful Applicants will not receive an award if Pre-Award Requirements are not met. Qualified status is re-verified nightly. If the entity's status changes, an email notice is sent to the designated entity representative with a link to the Grantee Portal.
5. See Section "I. Basic Information, F. Funding Details, 7. Funding Restrictions" for funding restrictions.
6. Other factors that would disqualify an applicant or application include: N/A.
7. Limit on number of applications. Only one application per organization.
8. Cost Sharing:
   1. Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.

III. Program Description

This section contains the full program description of the funding opportunity.

1. The Substance Use Training and Technical Assistance Center (SATAC) will be establishing a robust training programs, delivering essential technical assistance, and creating comprehensive information and resource platforms. The SATAC's initiatives are designed to significantly enhance and expand the implementation of evidence-based practices and promising strategies for addressing substance use and co-occurring disorders.
2. As the single-state authority, the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) has a clear mission: to provide a recovery-oriented system of care that spans the entire continuum of intervention, treatment, and recovery support. We prioritize treating individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), those in recovery, and those at risk with dignity and respect. Our goal is to eradicate stigma, discrimination, and any barriers to recovery.
3. SATAC is poised to actively support and drive SUPR's mission by equitably increasing, training, technical assistance, and resources to enhance the adoption and effectiveness of evidence-based practices across Illinois, ensuring a marked improvement in the quality of care provided.
4. The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas.
   1. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.
   1. The overall goal of this program is to strengthen, enhance, and improve Illinois' capacity to effectively address substance use and mental health problems across the continuum of treatment and recovery services and improve overall health outcomes. 

1. Providing free training, technical assistance, and information resources to increase the skills of individuals, communities, and organizations interacting with and serving individuals and populations at-risk, with SUD/CODs and in treatment, or seeking recovery; and
2. Providing continuing education opportunities that allow SUPR licensed and funded organizations the ability to meet the requirements of the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS) Block Grant

1. The expected performance goals, indicators, targets, baseline data, data collection, and other outcomes the agency expects recipients to achieve are the following:
   1. The SATAC will develop, broker and establish in person and online resources for the areas of expertise outlined in this NOFO.
      1. Deliverables
         1. Establish and maintain a dashboard to track execution of key tasks and progress toward deliverables under each service area.
      2. Training
         1. The SATAC will provide free training opportunities to Illinoisans and SUPR licensed and funded organizations throughout the fiscal year. The applicant will ensure its training program meets the following:
         2. Develop a training plan to meet the overall goal to strengthen, enhance, and improve capacity, knowledge, and skills related to the improvement of outcomes of individuals at-risk, with SUD and CODs, and those seeking/in recovery. 
            1. Develop a yearly training plan in collaboration with IDHS/SUPR.
            2. Implement the IDHS/SUPR approved training plan.
         3. Develop a training calendar that includes the title of the training, dates, times, and method of training (e.g., webinar, in-person) and locations or log-in data to ensure easy access to the trainings.
         4. The SATAC must offer no less than 6 trainings per month and/or no less than 80 trainings per year:
         5. The SATAC must offer the following regulatory and clinical practice topics:
            1. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria, no less than 8 per year
            2. Illinois Administrative Code, Part 2060, no less than 4 per year; and,
            3. Other applicable state and federal laws and regulations, no less than 2 per year.

         6. Deliver the following content-focused training topics:

            1. Co-occurring disorders, no less than 4 per year;
            2. Seeking Safety, no less than 2 per year;
            3. Recovery support, no less than 4 per year;
            4. Trauma-related clinical practices, no less than 2 per year; and,
            5. Population-focused trainings (e.g., adolescents, pregnant individuals, suicide), no less than 4 per year.
         7. The SATAC must offer the following skill-building trainings:
            1. Motivational interviewing, introductory session, no less than 4 per year;
            2. Motivational interviewing, advanced course, no less than 4 per year;
            3. Provider self-care and/or methods to address burnout and compassion fatigue, no less than 2 per year; and,
            4. Treatment planning, no less than 2 per year.

         8. Broker, and/or deliver trainings, including but not limited to, the delivery of skill building, content-focused workshops, and training focused on emerging best practices and evidence-based model programs over the course of the fiscal year. When possible, trainings should be evidence-based, evidence-informed or include best practices approaches that supports IDHS/SUPR's mission to a recovery-oriented system of care.

            1. Coordinate all logistics for training and technical assistance, and IDHS/SUPR requested meetings and/or training sessions. The SATAC will coordinate and host in-person and online trainings, assist with preparing agendas and meeting/training preparation and follow up work in cooperation with IDHS/SUPR.
            2. Conduct all necessary activities in preparation and follow up for meetings and/or training sessions, including prepare meeting/training notifications, post information on provider's website, coordinate online registration and confirmations, provide support, registration for attendees, staff participate in meeting/trainings to address manage logistic, issues and questions that arise and conduct follow up activities such as emailing PowerPoint to participants and posting recorded trainings on the website.
            3. Identify and vet topics and speakers prior to brokering or delivering training sessions and monitor to ensure new trainings are addressing intended goals.
            4. Coordinate and make available continuing education units (CEUs) including training certificates for each training session offered to SUPR licensed organizations.
         9. Maintain a website with information about upcoming and past trainings and information can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
            1. The SATAC must post training offerings on the website for easy access to register for upcoming and past trainings.
         10. Develop and implement a marketing strategy to promote available trainings.
             1. Prioritize promotion of available trainings to SUPR licensed and funded organizations, entities engaged in substance use services (e.g., crisis teams) and communities.
         11. Conduct continuous monitoring and assessment of the quality of the training programs delivered.
             1. Develop and distribute satisfaction surveys at the completion of each training session to monitor continuous quality of the trainings.
             2. Track attendance, cancellations and "no shows" by training session, and identify and implement methods for improving attendance that are approved by IDHS/SUPR.
             3. Identify concerns and/or issues with training content or trainers and plans for addressing or discontinuing training offerings.
      3. Technical Assistance

         1. Coordinate, deliver, and/or broker technical assistance services for SUPR licensed and funded organizations. The SATAC should assess the best method to provide technical assistance.

            1. Provide technical assistance in a group and/or individual sessions in person and/or remotely. Group sessions should determine the maximum number of attendees to ensure organizations obtain the needed assistance.
            2. Provide no less than 25 technical assistance sessions during the fiscal year.
            3. Respond to requests for technical assistance.
         2. Technical assistance topics will include but are not limited to: treatment, recovery, Part 2060 and federal regulations, populations and emerging issues (e.g., harm reduction).

      4. Instructional Design

         1. In coordination with IDHS/SUPR will identify, develop, and implement new trainings that address gaps and meet needs in Illinois.
            1. The training content will be developed in addition to the best method for the delivery of the training.
            2. The SATAC must possess the capacity and expertise to bring trainings to scale - to provide trainings to a large number of participants and, when possible, on demand - in addition to using other technologies to ensure high participation and that removes barriers to participating in trainings.
            3. Develop no less than two (2) projects during the fiscal year.

      5. Informational Resources

         1. Identify, coordinate, and post resources and materials that offer information, education, and/or guidance regarding SUDs, CODs, recovery and related topics (e.g., adolescents, pregnant population, LGBTQ+). The resources can be accessed directly by individuals, community or used by an organization to inform families, parents, relatives, about substance use.
            1. The SATAC will create and post no less than twelve (12) distinct resources per year.
            2. The resources should address substance use, treatment, signs and symptoms, screening tools, direction to the Illinois Helpline, and information and support systems for loved ones and caregivers.
            3. The SATAC should include state and federal websites to assist individuals and organizations seeking to find information and resources.
         2. Maintain a virtual information clearinghouse with resources including but not limited to research and best practices for Illinoisans, communities, and organizations. The SATAC must:
            1. Establish a virtual clearinghouse to post products (e.g., fact sheets, webinars) that are available on the website. Topics and populations that should addressed include SUD/CODs, recovery, information about specific substances and populations (e.g., pregnant people) and related topics (e.g., HIV/AIDS and substance use).
            2. Post materials from credible resources including national organizations (e.g., Partnership to End Addiction) and state (e.g., Illinois Department of Public Health) and federal agencies (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Health), and available in the public domain.
            3. Promote the availability of the virtual information clearinghouse and types of materials available.
            4. Identify and post no less than 12 resources during the fiscal year.
         3. Maintain a clearinghouse to support IDHS/SUPR and organizations at events.
            1. Provide materials and resources made available for the Illinois' state fairs and/or IDHS/SUPR approved requests.
            2. Provide staff to manage the table at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

      6. Reporting

         1. Provide quarterly reporting to IDHS/SUPR.
            1. Provide IDHS/SUPR quarterly reports that include summaries related to the progress or barriers to completing deliverables, data for performance standards (e.g., number of trainings, results from satisfaction surveys, number of resources posted on the virtual clearinghouse) and analysis of this data above. The report should address how the aggregate information is used for planning, continuous quality improvement, and proposing any changes regarding the implementation of deliverables.
            2. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: Additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in a format prescribed by the Department.
         2. Prepare and submit end-of-year annual reports, in addition to other required reporting. The report will include best practices and success stories. These reports are on the fiscal year and due 30 days before the end of the fiscal year.

      7. Performance Measures

         1. Deliverables
            1. a) Establish an online dashboard to track key tasks and progress toward goals.
         2. Training
            1. Completion and submission of an IDHS/SUPR approved detailed training plan.
            2. Offers the minimum number of trainings per year.
            3. Offers the minimum number of trainings per year by topic area:
               1. Regulatory and clinical practice;
               2. Content-focused; and
               3. Skill-building.
            4. Number of website's maintained with posted training information.
            5. Number of marketing strategies implemented by quarter.
            6. Percentage of training evaluations made available.
         3. Technical Assistance
            1. Number of technical assistance sessions completed.
         4. Instructional Design
            1. Number of instructional design projects completed.
         5. Informational Resources
            1. Number and type of program resources posted and promoted to and for use by Illinoisans and organizations.
            2. Maintenance of a current and accurate website with resources covering various content areas and populations.
            3. Number of staff that attend the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and provision of resources at the state fair and/or IDHS/SUPR approved requests.
         6. Reporting
            1. Percentage of quarterly reports submitted on-time with required content and supporting documentation.
            2. Timely submission of end-of-year annual report.

      8. Performance Standards

         1. Deliverables
            1. Establishes a spreadsheet and/or online dashboard, that is accessible by IDHS/SUPR staff, at any time and/or is delivered to IDHS/SUPR at least monthly, that tracks key tasks and progress toward goals.
         2. Training
            1. IDHS/SUPR approved detailed training plan.
            2. Provides no less than 6 trainings per month and/or no less than 80 trainings per year.
            3. Provides no less than the following training sessions by topic:
               1. Regulatory and Clinical Practice
                  1. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria, no less than 8 per year;
                  2. Illinois Administrative Code, Part 2060, no less than 4 per year; and
                  3. Other applicable state and federal laws and regulations, no less than 2 per year.
               2. Content-Focused
                  1. Co-occurring disorders, no less than 4 per year;
                  2. Seeking safety, no less than 2 per year;
                  3. Recovery support, no less than 4 per year;
                  4. Trauma-related clinical practices, no less than 2 per year; and
                  5. Population-focused trainings (e.g., adolescents, pregnant individuals, suicide), no less than 4 per year.
               3. Skill-Building
                  1. Motivational interviewing, introductory, no less than 4 per year;
                  2. Motivational interviewing, advanced, no less than 4 per year;
                  3. Provider self-care and/or methods to address burnout and compassion fatigue, no less than 2 per year; and
                  4. Treatment planning, no less than 2 per year.
            4. Maintain a minimum of 1 website with posted training information.
            5. Implement a minimum of 2 marketing strategies per quarter.
            6. Evaluations were made available at no less than 80% of trainings sessions.
         3. Technical Assistance
            1. Conduct no less than 25 different technical assistance sessions.
         4. Instructional Design
            1. Complete no less than 2 instructional design products.
         5. Resources for Communities and Organizations
            1. A minimum of 12 different resources posted on the website that can be accessed by Illinoisans or organizations. 
            2. One current and accurate website is maintained with resources covering various content areas and populations. 
            3. At least one staff attends the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and provides materials and resources for Illinois' state fairs and/or IDHS/SUPR approved requests.
         6. Reporting
            1. Submits 75% of quarterly reports on-time with required content and supporting documentation.
            2. Submits one annual report that addresses best practices and success stories.
2. For cooperative agreements, the "substantial involvement" that the State agency expects to have are (or are located) N/A.
3. Specific unallowable costs for this program include the following indirect costs related to research.
4. Program beneficiaries or program participants must meet the following requirements: N/A.
5. Authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity include the following: N/A.
6. Other information the State agency finds necessary.
   1. Illinois Administrative Rule, Part 2060
   2. Illinois Administrative Rule, Part 2090
   3. Illinois Substance Use Disorder Act
   4. Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Block Grant

IV. Application Contents and Format.

1. 1. Organizational Overview (Required, Not Scored): The SATAC Organizational Overview will serve as a stand-alone document that may be shared with various state-level stakeholders and others requesting a brief overview of the SATAC funded project. Therefore, applicants should be concise and direct in their description. Applicants must complete the Organizational Overview and include it at the beginning of your program narrative, and should not exceed two pages. Each of the following items must be answered / responded to in the Organizational Overview:
      1. List the name, address, FEIN, county, and website (if any) of applicant entity;
      2. List name, phone number, and email address for the organization's authorized representative and for the contact person for this application;
      3. Briefly describe your proposed activities and anticipated outcome(s) of the required program services (Refer to Section 3: Program Description);
      4. Indicate if applicant will be delivering services directly and/or using a sub-contractor;
      5. Applicant must respond to the following mandatory requirements:
         1. Program start date: (indicate date you anticipate beginning services);
         2. Statement of Equity and Racial Justice Commitment: (provide a clear statement of commitment to operating with a racial equity lens when providing programming and creating or updating policies);
   2. Organizational Qualifications and Capacity (40 points): The purpose of this section is for the SATAC to present an accurate picture of their ability to implement this program as outlined in this NOFO. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of linguistic and cultural competence throughout. Information in this section should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
      1. Overview: Provide a brief overview of the applicant SATAC, outlining its primary programs and services offered. Describe how the applicant's mission statement and goals align with the purpose of this funding opportunity.
      2. Experience:
         1. Describe the applicant SATAC's experience in each service area under Section III: Program Description. Describe relevant services, major accomplishments, and outcomes.
         2. Describe technology that will be used to support deliverables in the service areas. Describe the applicant's experience managing state and/or federal grants.
      3. Fiscal Capacity: This section will be scored based on the thoroughness of the responses and on the level of capacity.
         1. Organization:
            1. Describe the agency's accounting policies and systems/software used.
            2. Describe your agency's experience creating budgets and applying cost allocation principles.
            3. Specify the amount of your organization's overall budget that includes, all programs and administration of funds that includes this grant request and amount.
         2. Program Specific:
            1. Identify staff who will be responsible for completing and submitting financial reports to IDHS. Describe staff member's experience and/or credentials, if applicable. If your organization is contracting with an entity to manage fiscal responsibilities for this grant, provide the name of the entity. Please explain the applicant's internal controls and use of generally accepted accounting principles.
      4. Programmatic Capacity: Provide a description of the applicant agency's readiness for service provision commencing on the contract start date, taking note of the following:
         1. Staffing: Describe the applicant agency's staffing plan to carry out and execute deliverables in the program description.
            1. Describe personnel's experience in providing deliverables related to training, technical assistance, meeting planning and coordination, and information dissemination preferably in SUD/CODs.
            2. Describe personnel's experience in teaching adult learners: (indicate the number of years of experience applicant has delivering organized training to adult learners).
            3. Indicate number, title of positions and employment status allocation for each position (part-time or full-time) and brief description how the position will be engaged in the execution of the deliverables. Submit job descriptions for each position that will be funded in part or in whole with grant funds as Attachment 2: Job Descriptions/Resumes.
            4. If the applicant does not have staff with experience or expertise in one or more service areas, describe the applicant's plan to recruit, engage and maintain staff with experience and expertise.
            5. Include an organizational chart of the applicant organization, showing where the program and its staff will be placed. Please include this as Attachment 3: Organizational Chart.
      5. Implementation Timeline: Applicant SATAC must submit an Implementation Timeline as Attachment 4, which will include program milestones, hiring staff, training, start dates, etc. For each deliverable:
         1. Indicate the staff who will be responsible to ensure each deliverable is completed.
         2. The estimated date for starting work on service area and applicable deliverables.
            1. Establish and maintain spreadsheet and/or online dashboard to track execution of key tasks and progress toward deliverables in each service area.
      6. Administrative Capacity: Describe how the applicant manages subcontracts and services that are brokered. Describe the policies and procedures and staff responsible for monitoring activities.
   3. Quality-Description of Program Design and Services (40 points): The purpose of this section(s) is for the applicant to provide a comprehensive, clear, and accurate picture of its intended program design. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of linguistic and cultural competence throughout. The proposal must address each of the following components:
      1. Training Plan: Describe how the training plan will be developed.
         1. Describe the anticipated training sessions that will be provided, the estimated number of trainings, the types of training methods that may be used and, if applicable, the location of trainings, etc.
            1. Describe how trainings will be delivered in the state to meet the large-scale demands and to ensure flexibility within the schedule to ensure organizations or individuals can participate.
            2. Describe the steps that will be taken to ensure the proposed training plan will be cost effective to the state.
            3. Describe how trainings are identified and vetted.
            4. Describe the registration function that the applicant will provide.
         2. Describe how the applicant will promote its training offerings.
         3. Describe activities related to obtaining and providing continuing education units (CEUs).
         4. Provide two examples of training plans developed including but not limited to the number, topics, and populations identified and how trainings were delivered as well as obtaining and providing CEUs and promotional activities.
      2. Technical Assistance Plan:
         1. Describe how technical assistance sessions will be scheduled and provided to organizations.
         2. Describe how applicant will coordinate meetings and events.
         3. Provide two examples of technical assistance activities planned and conducted.
      3. Instructional Design Plan:
         1. Describe how the applicant will complete instructional design projects.
         2. Provide two examples of two instructional design products completed.
      4. Resources and Materials Plan:
         1. Describe how the applicant will identify, vet, and post resources and materials to communities and organizations.
         2. Describe how applicant will maintain a current and accurate website with training content and resources.
         3. Describe how the applicant will promote the virtual clearinghouse.
         4. Provide two examples of promoting resource and materials on the applicant's website.
   4. Attachments: Although this section is not scored individually, points will be deducted in the above sections if these items are not included as directed. The Attachments should be labeled accordingly. If any attachments are not applicable, a page labeled with the attachment number should be submitted and should include a statement explaining why the attachment was not applicable. Applications must include the following mandatory forms/attachments in the order identified below:
      1. #1: Subcontractor(s), if applicable
      2. #2: Job Descriptions / Resumes
      3. #3: Organizational Chart
      4. #4: Implementation Timeline
2. Budget and Budget Narrative
   1. Applicants must enter a budget electronically in the CSA system (Refer to Appendix A: CSA Budget Information for more information and a link to budget forms). The Budget entered into the CSA system will include a narrative or detailed description/justification for each line in the budget and will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how you arrived at the particular amount. Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must also clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, and match within each line item as appropriate. The Budget (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) should clearly describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities described in your plan.
   2. The Budget must be electronically signed and submitted in the CSA system. The Budget must be signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer.
   3. IMPORTANT: Please be sure the budget status in CSA says "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review." This status will appear after the budget is electronically signed by the agency CEO or CFO and submitted to IDHS. See IDHS CSA Tracking System webpage for additional information on CSA at IDHS: CSA Tracking System (state.il.us)

   4. The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and demonstrate that all proposed costs are:

      1. Reasonable and necessary
      2. Allocable, and
      3. Allowable as defined by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), as applicable.
3. Required Forms
   1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance: The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application. IL444-5262 - UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR STATE GRANT ASSISTANCE (.pdf)
   2. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure - The grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure is a required for all grant award programs. The document requires agencies to identify actual or potential conflicts of interest. The form must be signed by a representative of the organization. IL444-5205 - GRANTEE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE (.pdf)
4. Required Format
   1. The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the format outlined or points may be deducted.
   2. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.
   3. If applicable, the need to identify proprietary information. Such information must be designated in advance otherwise it may be subject to potential FOIA release. Proprietary information must be identified by highlighting the information in yellow in all spaces in the application. A second redacted version of the application may also be submitted (include the term "Redacted" in the file name).

V. Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

B. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Each applicant must:

1. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application;
2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and
3. Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration.
4. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements
5. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.

C. Submission Instructions

1. Actions needed prior to applying:

a. Applicants must be registered with the State of Illinois and Pre-qualified in the GATA portal prior to applying for Illinois awards. Instructions for creating an account and registering are located at the following link: Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. Additionally, detailed instructions for registration and prequalification requirements, including the expected amount of time for completion are located here: Pre-Award Requirements

2. The methods for submitting the application:

a. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order:

1. Program Narrative
2. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance pdf
3. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure
4. Budget (entered into the CSA system as described in section (IV)(A)

b. Applications must be sent electronically to DHS.SUPR.Grant.Implementation@Illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to DHS.SUPR.Grant.Implementation@Illinois.gov.  Include the following in the subject line: NOF number, your agency name, and IDHS SUPR staff contact. Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will not be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive.

1. Documents must include the following password: N/A.
2. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows: N/A.
3. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they did not receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after the 48 hours. In the event of a dispute the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above (and that the budget was submitted into the CSA system on time).

1. Pre-application materials must be submitted as follows: N/A.
2. If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:
   1. Name: Kimberly Fornero
   2. Phone: (312) 793-1566
   3. Email: Submission Dates and Times: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Submission Dates and Times.

1. Full applications are due on the following date April 17, 2025 at the following time 11:59 p.m. (CST).
2. Any preliminary submissions, such as letters of intent, white papers, or pre- applications are due: N/A.
3. Other submissions required before the award (separate from the full application) include: N/A.
4. If the funding opportunity is a general announcement that is open for a period of time with no specific due dates for applications, this section should say so.
5. Missed Deadlines:
   1. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be separately notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
   2. For your records, please keep a copy of your submission with the date and time the application was submitted along with the email address to which it was sent. The deadline will be strictly enforced.
   3. IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that the applicant not wait until the last minute to submit an application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation that that may prove their application was submitted to the correct location and that it was received by IDHS on or before the deadline. Applicants should also maintain all electronic documentation, including screen shots, email correspondence, help desk ticket numbers, etc. that would document any unforeseen difficulties the applicant may have encountered regarding the timely submission of the application.

Intergovernmental Review

1. This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs".

VI. Application Review Information.

1. Responsiveness Review.
   1. Applications that are received will be reviewed on/between April 18, 2025-May 1, 2025 to ensure they meet the criteria for consideration. Applications that do not meet the criteria in paragraph B below will be rejected and not entered into the Merit Review process.
   2. The following are the criteria that must be met for eligibility:
      1. Applicant has a current registration with the State of Illinois in the Grantee Portal.
      2. Applicant has an active Sam.gov public account.
      3. Applicant has an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) with Sam.gov
      4. Applicant is in "good standing" with the Secretary of State.
      5. Applicant is not on the DHS Stop Payment List Service or the Illinois Stop Payment List.
      6. Applicant is not on the Sam.gov Exclusion List.
      7. Applicant is not on the Illinois Medicaid Sanctions List.
      8. Program specific eligibility restrictions include:
         1. Organization must be a private or public non-profit entity, including local governments, academic institutions, or other community-based organizations;
         2. Organization must have a current physical office location and staff based in Illinois;
         3. Organization must have key program staff in place 60 days post-award;
         4. Organization must have at least three (3) years of experience implementing deliverables and programmatic focus of this project; and
         5. Organization must demonstrate organizational, administrative, and programmatic capacity, experience, and expertise to meet the deliverables, monitor subcontracts and administer grant funds.
   3. Restrictions on eligibility for State awards are referenced in 44 Ill Admin Code 7000.70. Program specific eligibility restrictions are referenced in this Notice of Funding Opportunity.
   4. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be notified. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
2. Review Criteria
   1. Evaluation criteria is based upon requirements set forth in 44 Ill Admin Code 7000.350 Merit Review of Applications and the IDHS Merit Review Manual. The review criterion and sub-criterion include the following: (list the individual criterion and sub-criterion).
      1. Scoring will be on a 100-point scale. Application narratives will be evaluated for the following criteria:

iv. Risk Review.

1. This section must include the following:
   1. IDHS conducts risk assessments for all awardees, prior to the award being issued.
      1. An agency wide Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) to be completed by the awardee within the Grantee Portal. The ICQ evaluates fiscal, administrative, and programmatic risk in the following categories:
         1. Quality of Management Systems
         2. Financial and Programmatic Reporting
         3. Ability to Effectively Implement Award Requirements
         4. Awardee Audits
      2. A program specific Programmatic Risk Assessment conducted by the awarding agency to evaluate the following categories:
         1. Programmatic financial stability
         2. Management systems and standards that would affect the program.
         3. Programmatic audit and monitoring findings
         4. Ability to effectively implement program requirements.
         5. External partnerships
         6. Programmatic reporting
      3. Risk assessments are not intended to be punitive in nature, rather they are conducted in order to evaluate the support, technical assistance, and training that may be needed for the awardee and the level of monitoring that is needed for the award.
      4. Risk assessments may result in Specific Conditions being placed on the award to include more frequent monitoring or the implementation of a corrective action plan.
   2. Simplified Acquisition Threshold - Federal and State awards
      1. It is anticipated that grants under this award may receive an award over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (as defined in 48 CFR part2, subpart 2.1.; the dollar amount set by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), currently at $250,000 (with some exceptions)) Potential grantees under this notice of funding opportunity may receive an award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000. Therefore, the grantee is subject to the simplified acquisition threshold and related requirements. 
         1. Prior to making an award with a total amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, IDHS is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. (Currently FAPIIS) (See 41 U.S.C. 2313)
         2. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a State or Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through Sam.
         3. IDHS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicants' integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under State and Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.206

VII. Award Notices.

This section must address what a successful applicant can expect to receive following selection.

1. It must include the following:
   1. State Award Notices
      1. Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include:
         1. Grant award amount
         2. The terms and conditions of the award
         3. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative risk assessment (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA), and the Merit Review.
      2. Note: The Department cannot issue a NOSA until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into the CSA system. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. The signed NOSA is the document authorizing the department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice.
      3. The notice is not an authorization to begin performance (to the extent that it allows charging to State awards of pre-award costs; pre-award costs are incurred at the non-State entities own risk unless they have received written prior approval to begin performance).
      4. The authorizing document to begin performance is the fully executed Uniform Grant Agreement (UGA) signed by the grants officer, or equivalent. This is the official document that obligates funds. The UGA is sent to the non-State entity via the CSA system. The non-State entity will print and sign the signature page of the UGA and return signature page to DHS.OCA.SignaturePages@illinois.gov.  A final signed copy of the UGA will be provided to the non-State entity via an upload into the CSA Tracking system.
      5. Applicants who are not eligible due to registration or pre-qualification issues, or late applications will be notified that they are ineligible for consideration.
      6. A written Notice of Denial shall be sent to the applicants not receiving an award following the Merit Review process.

VIII. Post-Award Requirements and Administration.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all State and Federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services.
2. To review a sample of the current IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement, visit: FY2026 IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement
3. Payment Terms:
   1. It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that this policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (Procedures implementing the Cash Management Improvement Act and Treasury State Agreement (TSA)) and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment methods exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance.

Reporting

1. Reporting upon execution of the grant agreement shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the UGA and related exhibits which include but is not limited to the following:
   1. Periodic Financial Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than monthly.
   2. Periodic Programmatic Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist.
   3. Close-out Performance Reports and Financial Reports as instructed in the UGA.
   4. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in the format prescribed by the Department.
   5. If the State share of any State award may include more than $500,000 over the period of performance applicants are also subject to the reporting requirements reflected in Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200. Noncompliance with any of the identified reports may lead to being placed on the Illinois Stop-Payment List

IX. Other Information