IDHS-Home Visiting (26-444-84-2889-01)

I. - Basic Information (CSFA Data Section)

Items 1(A) - 1(E) are in the CSFA Data Table Below:

Awarding Agency Name (1-A)	Illinois Department of Human Services
Agency Division Name	Division of Early Childhood
Agency Contact	Name: Joanna Su Email Address: DHS.HomeVisiting@illinois.gov Phone Number: (312) 882-4051
Announcement Type (1-C)	Competitive Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Title (1-B)	IDHS Home Visiting
Funding Opportunity Number (1-D)	26-444-84-2889-01
Application Posting Date	April 14, 2025
Application Closing Date	May 16, 2025
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number	444-84-2889
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name	IDHS Home Visiting
Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E)	93.870
Awarding Source	State and Federal
Estimated Total Program Funding Amount	$ 18,234,397
Anticipated Number of Awards	Unknown
Award Range	In order to make funding allocations more equitable, IDHS is using a cost formula to determine the amount of funding per family. See the budget and budget narrative section below under IV., Application Contents and Format.
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?	No
Indirect Costs Allowed?	Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs?	No
Technical Assistance Session Offered	Yes Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm CST Link: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m721906bb3ca84b6fd0ec9853653cacf8 Meeting number (access code): 2634 905 7901 Meeting password: NaQ24aMD58W

I. - Basic Information Continued - Section F through I

6. Funding Details
   1. Total Amount of Funding
      1. The Department expects to award approximately $ 18,234,397.
      2. The source of funding for this program is General Revenue Funds and federal Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting funds. IDHS will determine how the funding sources will be allocated for each grant, and the allocations will be noted in each grant.
   2. Number of Grant Awards
      1. The Department anticipates funding approximately 35-40 grant awards to provide this program
   3. Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards
      1. In order to make funding allocations more equitable, IDHS is using a cost formula to determine the amount of funding per family. See the budget and budget narrative section below under IV., Application Contents and Format.
   4. Amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.
      1. Not applicable
   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
      1.  Subcontractor Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department. Subcontractors are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the subcontractor
   7. Funding restrictions
      1. Pre-Award Costs
         1. Pre-Award Costs are allowed subject to the discretion, review, and prior approval of the IDHS Budget Committee. Pre-Award Costs must be identified as such in the IDHS Uniform Grant Budget Narrative. Pre-Award costs are/are not allowable for this award
         2. IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles
         3. Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records
      2. Indirect Costs
         1. Indirect Costs may be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES)
   8. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award
7. Key Dates
   1. Application Posting Date: April 14, 2025.
   2. A non-binding Letter of Intent is strongly encouraged, but not required. The Letter of Intent is due on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
   3. The Department must receive the Full Application: Due on May 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
   4. Anticipated Award Date: June 2, 2025.
   5. Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.
      1. Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than July 1, 2025 and will continue through June 30, 2026.
8. Executive Summary: The goals of the IDHS Home Visiting Program are to: improve maternal and child health; prevent child abuse and neglect; reduce crime and domestic violence; increase family education level and earning potential; promote children's development and readiness to participate in school; and connect families to needed community resources and supports. The IDHS Home Visiting Program supports pregnant people and parents with young children ages 0-5 who live in Illinois communities that face greater risks and barriers to achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes. Families choose to participate in home visiting programs, and partner with health, social service, and child development professionals to set and achieve goals that improve their health and well-being.
    
   Home visitors and families develop strong relationships and trust through meeting regularly and addressing families' needs. Home visitors: support healthy pregnancy practices; provide information on topics such as breastfeeding, safe sleep, preventing unintended child injuries, and nutrition; provide screenings and assessments; encourage early language development and early learning at home; teach positive parenting skills like reading, playing, and praising good behaviors; work with caregivers to set goals for the future, continue their education, and find employment and child care solutions; and connect families to other services and resources in their community.
    
   Eligible recipients of this grant include private, not-for-profit community-based organizations that are incorporated and have been granted 501(c) (3) status; public community-based organizations, including units of local government, and private, for-profit community-based organizations
9.  Agency Contact Information.
   1. If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact DHS.HomeVisiting@illinois.gov.
   2. A frequently asked Question and Answer page is posted on the DHS website. Questions submitted up to 2 business days prior to the end of the NOFO posting period, will be posted on the website.

II. - Eligibility

III. - Program Description

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

1. This section MUST include the following:
   1. The general purpose of the funding is provide evidence-based home visiting services in communities with high risk factors and it is expected to achieve improved maternal, child, and family outcomes for the public good.
   2. 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.
      2. The IDHS Home Visiting program has the following priority populations identified by the federal Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. Enrollment is not limited to the MIECHV priority populations, but programs are expected to prioritize the following populations, as well as the Early Learning Council Priority Populations, for enrollment.
         1. Low-income household (below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level or FPL)
         2. Household contains an enrollee who is pregnant and under age 21
         3. Household has a history of child abuse or neglect or had interactions with child welfare
         4. Household has a history of substance abuse or needs substance abuse treatment
         5. Someone in the household uses tobacco products in the home
         6. Someone in the household has attained low student achievement or has a child with low student achievement
         7. Household has a child with developmental delays or disabilities
         8. Household includes individuals who are serving or formerly served in the United States armed forces
      3. In addition to the geographic priority points shown above, IDHS is awarding priority points for family empowerment and for current IDHS-funded home visiting programs.
         1. Family empowerment: IDHS is awarding up to 5 priority points to programs that demonstrate the intention to hire, mentor, or otherwise support the engagement of former participants/ parents as home visitors.
         2. Current IDHS-funded home visiting programs. In recognition of the importance of continuity of services for families, IDHS is awarding 10 priority points to each current IDHS-funded home visiting program. This includes IDHS-funded grantees as well as home visiting programs that are subcontractors of a current IDHS grantee.
   3. The goals and objectives of this program are to:
      1. Improve maternal and child health;
      2. Prevent child abuse and neglect;
      3. Reduce crime and domestic violence;
      4. Increase family education level and earning potential;
      5. Promote children's development and readiness to participate in school; and
      6. Connect families to needed community resources and supports.
   4. The award will contribute to achieving the program's goals and objectives by funding evidence-based home visiting services.
   5. The expected performance goals, indicators, targets, baseline data, data collection, and other outcomes the agency expects recipients to achieve are provided in this section. Deliverables, performance measures, and performance standards are provided for standard Home Visiting Programs as well as for the optional Doula Enhancement for home visiting.
      1. Deliverables--Home Visiting Programs
         1. Home visiting model
            1. Implement one of the following evidence-based home visiting models with fidelity:
               1. Early Head Start Home-Based (EHS)
               2. Healthy Families America (HFA). Note: Successful applicants must request the HFA child welfare protocol from the HFA National Office within 6 months of the contract start date
               3. Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
               4. Parents as Teachers (PAT).
            2. Programs must be in good standing with their national model.
            3. Prior approval from the Department must be secured prior to any anticipated change to the program model.
         2. Program policies and procedures
            1. Maintain written local program policies and procedures that are consistent with the program standards set by one of the four home visiting models noted above.
            2. Review and incorporate all policies and procedures found on the igrow Illinois Administrative Resources webpage. Including those related to assessments and screening, and dual enrollment.
            3. Maintain written policies and procedures for connecting referred families to other available services when your program has no openings.
            4. Assure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
            5. For educational institutions, assure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
         3. Hiring and compensation
            1. Recruit, hire, and retain home visitors who collectively reflect the communities they serve, and effectively build rapport and communicate with families, following the guidance in their program model.
            2. Fill any staff vacancies without delay.
            3. Assure all home visitors and supervisors join the Gateways to Opportunity Registry.
            4. Assure that home visitors receive the salaries shown in the table below, at minimum. Assure that home visiting supervisors receive the salaries shown below, at minimum, if the supervisor is at least 50% FTE on this grant.
               

               Position	6-County Metropolitan Chicago Area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will) Minimum Salary for 1.0 FTE	Rest of the State Minimum Salary for 1.0 FTE
               Home Visitor	$47,268	$41,204
               Home Visiting Supervisor (if the supervisor is at least 50% FTE on this grant	$59,598	$52,864

         4. Professional development
            1. Assure that home visitors receive program-specific training and ancillary training according to the standards specified by the home visiting model.
            2. Assure that all staff participate in training required by IDHS.
            3. Maintain documentation of the training received by each direct service staff and supervisor.
         5. Reflective supervision and reflective practice
            1. Follow the home visiting model's required supervisor/home visitor ratio to ensure adequate supervision.
            2. Provide home visitors with the individual reflective supervision hours required by the model.
            3. Maintain documentation of supervision, team meetings, field observations, training, and other staff development led by the supervisor.
         6. Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC)
            1. Utilize Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) as described in the IECMHC Illinois Model.
            2. Receive a minimum of 72 hours of consultation per year, which encompasses consultation provided to the supervisor, home visitors, coordinated intake, and doulas, if any.
            3. The minimum rate is $150 per hour. Consultants must be listed in the Illinois Registry of IECMH Consultants.
            4. Describe ongoing activities with Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants.
         7. Program capacity
            1. Service capacity is the number of families enrolled at a point in time if the program were operating with trained and experienced home visitors funded by this program. This number does not change if the program is not fully staffed (for example, if there is a vacancy). The service capacity number per 1.0 FTE home visitor is as follows:
               1. Early Head Start: 10 families
               2. Healthy Families America: 12 families
               3. Nurse-Family Partnership: 25 families
               4. Parents as Teachers: 15 families
            2. Programs that have been active for a year or longer will maintain at least 85% of their maximum service capacity.
            3. Programs must have a plan in place for maintaining continuity of services to home visiting families if their home visitor is on extended leave or leaves the agency.
         8. Priority populations
            1. Prioritize the MIECHV priority populations for enrollment (see section IIIB above).
               1. At least 80% of enrolled home visiting families must meet at least one of the 8 MIECHV priority population criteria.
               2. Therefore, no more than 20% of enrolled home visiting families may meet none of the 8 MIECHV priority population criteria. Families in this category must reflect one Early Learning Council Priority Population.
            2. If there are open slots in the program, the program must accept all referrals of model-eligible families with child welfare involvement and model-eligible families experiencing homelessness, regardless of family income.
         9. Service plans, assessments, and screenings
            1. Develop and update a service plan or goal plan for each participant within the timeframe required by the model.
            2. For each participant, complete any model-required assessments within the timeframe required by the model.
            3. For child participants, conduct developmental screenings using a screening tool approved by the Department and refer to services as indicated.
            4. For adult participants, conduct assessments and refer as to services as indicated on the igrow Illinois Benchmark Resources webpage.
            5. For adult participants, provide education on topics including but not limited to breastfeeding, safe sleep, well-child visits, and postpartum care, and refer to services as needed.
         10. Community-centered program services
             1. Provide model-specific home visiting services that are responsive to the community to be served.
             2. Provide program materials (e.g., brochures, curricula, handouts, etc.) that are appropriate for the community to be served, taking into account literacy levels, etc.
             3. If the applicant is proposing a supplement to home visiting services, such as parent-led groups, please describe these services, including the rationale for these services, evidence-based curriculum used, number of parents served during FY24, number of parents currently enrolled, and the projected number of parents to be served in FY26.
         11. Screening, enrollment, and collaboration
             1. Participate in the local All Our Kids (AOK) Network, Integrated Referral and Intake System (IRIS), or other coordinated intake and referral initiative, where such a system exists. (If there is no such initiative in your program's geographic area, this requirement does not apply to your program.)
             2. Engage in community public awareness and outreach activities to support program enrollment.
             3. Avoid dual enrollment in more than one intensive home visiting program.
             4. Avoid waitlisting families when there are open home visiting slots offered by another local program (for example, by establishing referral partnerships with the other program).
             5. Respond to all referral sources with the status of referrals and timeline for enrollment within two (2) business days of receiving the referral.
             6. Respond to all follow-up inquiries from referral sources) within two (2) business days of receiving the inquiry.
             7. Track trends related to the population served and adjust program plans to assure that families from priority populations are prioritized for services.
         12. Community systems development and cross-program referral systems, where collaborative networks exist
             1. Participate actively as a member of at least one local community collaboration to support the goals and principles defined in the latest Joint Statement on Community Systems, Coordinated Intake, and IRIS.
                1. Share with the collaboration available, relevant, aggregated program data that contribute to community needs assessment, setting a common agenda, or other local initiatives.
                2. Promote shared messaging and materials from the collaboration among families and staff.
             2. Assist participating families in connecting with Early Intervention (El), through the local Child and Family Connections (CFC) office Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Office Locator using the standard referral form and procedures. Assist participating families in connecting with medical providers and with ancillary services such as mental health services, the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program, substance exposure and recovery services and intimate partner violence services.
         13. Data and data systems
             1. With written consent from participants, use the information management system designated by the Department to record information on program participants, and the activities of program staff.
             2. Maintain an individual case record for each family enrolled in the home visiting program. Record required demographic data. Information for each month must be entered in the data system by the fifth (5th) day of the following month.
             3. Collect and report the MIECHV benchmark data, as shown on the igrow Illinois Benchmark Resources webpage, including Form 1, and Form 2, and staffing updates, with support and technical assistance from the Department.
             4. Participate in regular data calls coordinated by the Department, to assure data quality and completeness.
         14. Quality assurance and program improvement
             1. Implement a plan for quality assurance, as specified by the home visiting model.
             2. Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts offered by IDHS.
         15. Family Voice
             1. Regularly incorporate input from home visiting families to improve program quality, as specified by the home visiting model.
             2. Invite families to participate in local collaborations and advisory bodies.
         16. Partnership with IDHS
             1. Participate in required regular programmatic and fiscal reviews.
             2. Participate in required regularly scheduled provider calls and other required meetings as scheduled by IDHS.
             3. Participate in the Department's efforts to improve the health and well-being of families enrolled in program services.
      2. Performance Measures and Standards -- Home Visiting Programs
         1. Registered staff
            1. MEASURE: Report the number of home visiting supervisors and home visitors, coordinated intake workers, CI supervisors, doulas, and any other direct service staff, and the percentage of these staff with registry numbers in the Gateways to Opportunity Registry. Reported quarterly.
            2. STANDARD: 100%.
         2. Families served
            1. MEASURE: Report the number of unduplicated families served year-to-date. Entered into the IDHS selected database, including race, ethnicity, and primary language. Reported quarterly from the data summary report (September, December, March, June).
            2. STANDARD: Report the number quarterly.
         3. Caseload capacity
            1. MEASURE: Current caseload as a % of maximum caseload capacity. (Maximum caseload capacity is the highest number of households that could be enrolled at a point in time, if the program is operating with a full complement of hired and trained home visitors.) Reported quarterly from the data summary report.
            2. STANDARD: Programs that have been active for one year or longer must achieve at least 85% of the maximum caseload capacity. Entered into IDHS selected database.
         4. Priority populations
            1. MEASURE: Percentage of participants meeting no MIECHV priority population criteria, reported quarterly from the data summary report:
               1. Low-income household (below 100% FPL)
               2. Household contains an enrollee who is pregnant and under age 21
               3. Household has a history of child abuse or neglect or had had interactions with child welfare
               4. Household has a history of substance abuse or needs substance abuse treatment
               5. Someone in the household uses tobacco products in the home
               6. Someone in the household has attained low student achievement or has a child with low student achievement
               7. Household has a child with developmental delays or disabilities
               8. Household includes individuals who are serving or formerly served in the United States armed forces
            2. STANDARD: No more than 20% of participants meet no MIECHV priority population criteria. Entered into the IDHS selected database.
         5. Coordination and Collaboration
            1. MEASURE: Membership in local collaborations (as documented by an MOU, letter, or other document from a collaboration that confirms the program's membership and describes expectations for member participation). Reported annually (June).
            2. STANDARD: Membership document from at least one collaboration, provided annually (June).
         6. Data quality-participant demographics
            1. MEASURE: Percentage of program participants with missing demographic data in the data system. Reported quarterly from the data summary report.
            2. STANDARD: No more than 10% missing data for any data indicator. Entered into the IDHS selected database.
         7. Data quality-benchmark outcomes
            1. MEASURE: Percentage of program participants with missing benchmark data in the data system. Reported quarterly from the data summary report.
            2. STANDARD: No more than 10% missing data for any benchmark outcome data indicator. Entered into the IDHS selected database. 
         8. Well-child visit
            1. MEASURE: Percentage of children receiving their last well-child visit based on the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule. Reported annually from the data summary report (June).
            2. STANDARD: 80%. Entered into the IDHS selected database.
         9. Postpartum visit
            1. MEASURE: Percent of mothers enrolled prenatally or within 30 days after delivery who received a postpartum care visit within 8 weeks (56 days) of delivery. Reported annually from the data summary report (June).
            2. STANDARD: 75%. Entered into the IDHS selected database.
         10. Developmental screening
             1. MEASURE: Percentage of children with at least one timely Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3 (ASQ-3) screening during the reporting period (for children aged 9 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months). Reported annually from the data summary report (June).
             2. STANDARD: 80%. Entered into the IDHS selected database.
         11. Perinatal depression screening
             1. MEASURE: Percent of participants who are screened for depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) within 3 months of enrollment (for those not enrolled prenatally) or within 3 months of delivery (for those enrolled prenatally). Reported annually from the data summary report (June).
             2. STANDARD: 85% of participants screened. Entered into the IDHS selected database.
         12. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) screening
             1. MEASURE: Percent of primary caregivers screened for intimate partner violence (IPV) within 6 months of enrollment using a validated tool (Futures Without Violence for women, Baylor for men). Reported annually from the data summary report (June).
             2. STANDARD: 90%. Entered into the IDHS selected database. 
         13. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) referral
             1. MEASURE: Percent of primary caregivers with a positive screen for IPV (21 + for Futures and 11+ for Baylor) who receive referrals to IPV resources. Reported annually from the data summary report (June).
             2. STANDARD: 90%. Entered into the IDHS selected database.
         14. Family Engagement and Empowerment
             1. MEASURE: Number of home visiting families participating in group activities, such as parent groups, program advisory board meetings, CQI team meetings, or local collaboration meetings. Reported quarterly.
             2. STANDARD: Report the number quarterly.
      3. Deliverables - Doula Enhancement for Home Visiting Services (OPTIONAL--only for home visiting programs with existing integrated doula services that are currently funded by IDHS)
          
         While doula services are not required as part of the IDHS-DEC Home Visiting program, doula services may be supported through this funding stream if they are offered as an integrated part of a long-term, evidence-based home visiting model. These doula services are not intended to be stand-alone services.
          
         The main objective of the doula enhancement for home visiting is to support positive maternal and infant health outcomes.
         Ideally, doula services should commence at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy. The doula and long-term home visitor should work together to introduce services to expectant families. The doula and home visitor must coordinate home visits in the perinatal period to avoid duplication of services while ensuring that the long-term home visitor begins a relationship with the family early enough to ensure a smooth transition from doula/home visitor services to just home visiting services. The transition to home visiting usually takes place when the infant is 2-3 months old.
         1. Core program services
            1. Promote active engagement of new program families in long-term home visiting services through initial prenatal and intrapartum program experiences
            2. Provide seamless transitions from doula to home visiting-only services
            3. Promote a parental sense of confidence, competence, and comfort in the mother's physical, emotional, and social transition into parenthood
            4. Promote positive health practices for developing baby and new parent
            5. Promote a growing sense of emotional availability, attunement, and engagement with the developing and new infant
            6. Prepare for labor and delivery and provide intrapartum doula support in an effort to bring about positive birth outcomes for infant and parent
            7. Support newborn care and feeding
            8. Organize and facilitate prenatal groups
         2. Hiring and compensation
            1. Recruit, hire, and retain doulas who reflect the community served and effectively build rapport and communicate with families.
            2. Fill any staff vacancies without delay.
            3. The program must maintain two (2) full time equivalent (FTE) home visitors for every one (1) FTE doula. The goal is to have all doula participants transition into the long-term home visiting program. Because doula services are time-limited, doulas serve more families over the course of a year than a home visitor. Generally, a ratio of at least two (or more) home visitors for every doula will ensure that there will be enough home visitors to serve all participants who are finishing doula services.
            4. Doulas should be available on-call 24/7. They must have flexible schedules because it is crucial that they be present during labor and delivery, and births often happen outside of normal working hours. This expectation should be made clear to candidates for doula positions, and programs should keep this requirement in mind in deciding how they will grade and compensate doula positions.
            5. Doulas should co-facilitate a series of prenatal groups. Prenatal groups offer an efficient way for parents-to-be to learn about prenatal care and the birthing process while connecting with a peer group and continuing to build a relationship with their doula.
            6. Programs must ensure that there is backup capacity so that participants will receive doula support when their primary doula is on vacation, ill, unable to attend a birth, or when there are vacancies in the program. This will generally mean having at least two (2) doulas as part of a program's staffing pattern, but backup can also be achieved by having a supervisor trained as a doula or by having a part-time position in addition to a full-time doula.
            7. Doulas work in collaboration with home visitors to ensure a smooth transition between doula and home visiting services.
            8. Assure that doulas receive the salaries shown in the table below, at minimum. The indicated minimum salaries for supervisors are strongly recommended. Assure that doula supervisors receive the salaries shown below, at minimum, if the supervisor is at least 50% FTE on this grant.
               

               Position	6-County Metropolitan Chicago Area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will) Minimum Salary for 1.0 FTE	Rest of the State Minimum Salary for 1.0 FTE
               Doula	$48,686	$42,440
               Doula supervisor (if the supervisor is at least 50% FTE on this grant)	$59,598	$52,864

         3. Professional development
            1. Program supervisors will be offered technical assistance from the Start Early Professional Learning Network.
            2. New doulas must receive pre-service and in-service training from the Start Early Professional Learning Network. Doulas must complete training in the home visiting model, in addition to doula training.
            3. Doulas must maintain their doula certification (for example, from DONA International).
         4. Reflective supervision and reflective practice
            1. Doulas must regularly receive individual reflective supervision from the doula supervisor.
            2. Doula programs will utilize Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) as described above in Home Visiting program deliverables, Section f. 
         5. Clinical consultation
            1. Programs must contract with a clinical consultant. A clinical consultant is part of the doula model so that doulas have the support they might need to serve participants who have medically complicated pregnancies. These consultants are generally registered nurses, midwives, or other professionals who have training in the medical aspects of pregnancy and childbirth.
            2. Ideally, clinical consultation will take place in person, but consultation may be conducted virtually as needed.
            3. Clinical consultants are generally contracted for about 10 hours per month.
            4. The hourly rate for clinical consultants starts at $150 per hour for virtual consultation (some consultants will add travel expenses for in-person consultation).
         6. Program capacity
            1. The caseload for a 1.0 FTE doula is nine (9) participants at a single point in time. Some of these persons are pregnant; some are postpartum. Doulas attend approximately two births every month. Doula caseload sizes are smaller than those for other home visitors because of the extended time spent with the birthing parent during labor and delivery.
            2. The doula intervention is time-limited (generally lasting for about five months) so a caseload of nine (9) or ten (10) families at any one point in time would result in a doula serving approximately 23 families over the course of a year.
         7. Community-centered program services
            1. Provide doula services that are responsive to the community to be served.
            2. Provide program materials (e.g., brochures, curricula, handouts, etc.) that are appropriate for the community to be served, taking into account literacy levels, etc.
         8. Community systems development and cross-referrals
            1. The ability of doulas to be present during the labor and delivery process is key to the success of this service. Programs must have written or verbal agreements with local birthing hospitals and birthing centers that ensure that the hospital/center will allow doulas to attend the births of their participants.
            2. The program should also have memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or other mechanisms in place with prenatal clinics, WIC programs, etc. to ensure that pregnant persons in the program's population will be referred by the 26th week of pregnancy.
         9. Quality assurance and program improvement
            1. Track birth outcomes and utilize data to inform and improve practice.
      4. Performance Measures and Standards - Doula Services (only for home visiting programs that propose to include IDHS-funded doulas)
         1. Families served
            1. MEASURE: Report the number of unduplicated families served year-to-date. Entered into the IDHS selected database, including race, ethnicity, and primary language. Reported quarterly (September, December, March, June).
            2. STANDARD: Report the number quarterly. Entered into IDHS selected database.
         2. Caseload capacity
            1. MEASURE: Current caseload as a % of maximum caseload capacity. (Maximum caseload capacity is the highest number of pregnant persons that could be enrolled at a point in time, if the program is operating with a full complement of hired and trained doulas.) Reported quarterly.
            2. STANDARD: Programs that have been active for one year or longer must achieve at least 85% of maximum caseload capacity. Entered into IDHS selected database.
         3. Prenatal enrollment
            1. MEASURE: Percent of participants enrolled in doula services by the end of the seventh month of pregnancy. Reported quarterly.
            2. STANDARD: 80%. Entered into IDHS selected database.
         4. Doula-home visiting integration
            1. MEASURE: Percent of doula participants assigned to a long-term home visitor. Reported quarterly.
            2. STANDARD: 80%. Entered into IDHS selected database.
         5. Breastfeeding
            1. MEASURE: Percent of participants that initiate breastfeeding. Reported quarterly.
            2. STANDARD: 75%. Entered into IDHS selected database.
      5. Other requirements:
         1. Confidentiality
            1. Grantees must comply with confidentiality statutes set forth by state and federal governments, including, but not limited to: the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (45 CFR 160, 162, and 164); the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (815 ILCS 530/1 et seq.); the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act (740 ILCS 110/1 et seq.); Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Regulations (34 CFR Part 99); and Administrative Code Title 77 Section 630.20.
   6. Specific unallowable costs: N/A
   7. Program beneficiaries or program participants must meet the following requirements: N/A
   8. Authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity include the following:
      1. General Revenue Funds for home visiting: Public Act 103-0498.
      2. Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting: Base Grant Awards are authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 711(c) (Title V, § 511(c) of the Social Security Act, as amended) to support the provision of home visiting services to eligible families by states, nonprofit organizations serving states, and U.S. jurisdictions. Section 6101 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), recently amended Title V, section 511 of the Social Security Act and extended appropriated funding for the MIECHV Program through FY 2027.

IV. - Application Contents and Format.

V. -  Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

1. Address to Request Application Package. This subsection MUST include the following:
   1. Actions Needed Prior to Applying:
      1. The complete application package (this Notice of Funding Opportunity, including links to required forms) is available through the Illinois Catalog of Financial Assistance and the IDHS Grants Website Page located: IDHS: Grant Funded Programs (state.il.us)
      2. Each Applicant must have access to the internet. The Department's website will contain information regarding the NOFO and materials necessary for submission. Questions and answers will also be posted on the Department's website as described in this announcement (section 1 - I (Roman Numeral 1, Alpha section I)) It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor the website and comply with any instructions or requirements related to the NOFO.
2. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This subsection must state the requirements for unique entity identifiers and registration in SAM.gov. It must include the following:
   1. 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.
   2. If individuals are eligible to apply, they are exempt from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(b).
   3. If the agency exempts any applicants from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d), a statement to that effect.
3.  Submission Instructions.
   1. Actions needed prior to applying:
      1. 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:
      1. The Letter of Intent is optional, but strongly encouraged. The Letter of Intent may be submitted electronically in the body of the email or as an attached PDF. Electronic signatures are not required for the Letter of Intent.
      2. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order:
         1. Program Narrative in pdf format (including Home Visiting Narrative, Attachments A-E and, if applicable, Attachment F, the doula 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 (4)(A)
      3. Applications and letters of intent must be sent electronically to DHS.HomeVisiting@illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to DHS.HomeVisiting@illinois.gov.  Include the following in the subject line: 2889-01 and your agency name. 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.
      4. A password is not required for this submission.
      5. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows: Applicants must have access to the internet. The application must be electronically submitted as a PDF. The budget must be submitted using the CSA.
      6. 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).
   3. If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:
      1. Name: Robin Chaney-Jones
      2. Phone: (312) 881-0690
      3. Email: Robin.ChaneyJones2@illinois.gov
4. Submission Dates and Times. This subsection MUST include due dates and times for all submissions. If they are different for electronic and paper submissions, be clear about the differences. This includes the following:
   1. Full applications are due on May 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (CST).
   2. Optional letters of intent are due on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (CST).
   3. Other submissions required before the award (separate from the full application): N/A
   4. 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.
5. Intergovernmental Review. This section must include the following:
   1. This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs".

VI. - Application Review Information.

1. Review and Selection Process.
   1. The process for evaluation of the application is as follows: Review teams are comprised of up to three (3) individuals. Applications will first be reviewed and scored individually. Then, team members will collectively review the application, their scores and comments. Individual team members may choose to adjust scores to appropriately capture content that may have been missed initially. Scores will then be sent to the application Review Coordinator to be compiled and averaged to produce the final application review team score. The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The Department reserves the right to consider any factors such as: geographical distribution, demonstrated need, and agency past performance as a State of Illinois grantee, etc. While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.
   2. In the event of a tie with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the Department may choose to elect one or more of the following options:
      1. Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications; or
      2. Partially fund each of the tied applications; or
      3. Not fund any of the tied applications. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.
   3. Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates (Optional)
   4. Merit Based Review Appeal Process
      1. Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only be evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by IDHS' Appeal Review Officer (ARO).
         1. Submission of Appeal
            1. Appeals submission IDHS contact information:
               1. Contact Name: Lori Orr
               2. Email address: Lori.A.Orr@illinois.gov
               3. Email Subject Line: NOFO Appeal
            2. An appeal must be submitted in writing to appeals submission IDHS contact listed above, who will send to the IDHS Appeal Review Officer (ARO) for consideration.
               1. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.
               2. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
                  • Name and address of the appealing party
                  • Identification of the grant; and
                  • Statement of the reasons for the appeal
                  • Supporting documentation, if applicable
         2. Response to appeal
            1. IDHS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
               1. IDHS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
               2. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by IDHS within the time period set in the request
         3. Resolution
            1. The ARO will make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information.
               1. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the State Agency.
               2. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination.
               3. The determination shall include, but not be limited to:
                  • Review of the appeal;
                  • Appeal determination; and
                  • Rationale for the determination.
2. 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. This award is not anticipated to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold defined in 48 CFR part 2, subpart 2.1 (OR)
         2. 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 within one week of the application due date. 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.

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Providing information on administrative and policy requirements lets a potential applicant identify any requirements with which it would have difficulty complying. This section MUST include the following:
   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. Provide a link to a sample of the current 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.
2. Reporting.

This section includes information needed to understand the post-award reporting requirements. Highlight any special reporting requirements for awards under this funding opportunity that differ from what the agency's awards usually require. For example, differences in report type, frequency, form, format, or circumstances for use. This section MUST include the following:

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 quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist.
   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 - Optional.

1. This section MAY include any additional information to help potential applicants. For example, the section could include the following:
   1. Mandatory Forms and Submission:
      1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (pdf)
      2. Proposal Narrative, including Attachments A-E (and Attachment F if applicable)
      3. Uniform Grant Budget in CSA; see CSA Provider User Manual on CSA Tracking System webpage
      4. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure