Statewide Deflection Initiative FY26-444-26-2379-03

1. - 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 Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Agency Contact	Stephanie Frank Stephanie.Frank@illinois.gov
Announcement Type (1-C)	Competitive Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Title (1-B)	Statewide Deflection Initiative
Funding Opportunity Number (1-D)	26-444-26-2379-03
Application Posting Date	March 3, 2025
Application Closing Date	April 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number	444-26-2379
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name	Cannabis Tax Fund
Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E)	N/A
Awarding Source	Cannabis Tax Fund
Estimated Total Program Funding Amount	$4,000,000
Anticipated Number of Awards	1
Award Range	$3,000,000 - $4,000,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?	No
Indirect Costs Allowed?	Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs?	No
Technical Assistance Session Offered	No

1. - Basic Information Continued - Section F through I

F. Funding Details

1. Total Amount of Funding
   1. The Department expects to award approximately $4,000,000.
   2. The source of funding for this program is Cannabis Tax 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 $3,000,000 - $4,000,000. 
4. Amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.
   1. Previous funding amounts for this grant award program on average was $2,000,000 - $5,000,000.
5. Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility.
   1. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not 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 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/may not) 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

G. Key Dates

1. Application Posting Date March 3, 2025.
2. The Department strongly encourages a letter of intent by March 17, 2025.
3. The Department must receive the Full Application: Due on April 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
4. Anticipated Award Date: May 15, 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.

H. Executive Summary: In 2020 the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Illinois Department of Human Services collaborated on expanding opportunities for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and access to social services for individuals encountered by law enforcement that are not the subject of an investigation or interdiction effort. Law enforcement often encounter individuals that would be better served by social and public health services rather than arrest due to substance use disorders (SUD) and opioid use disorders (OUD). ISP and local law enforcement have the unique opportunity to provide an additional access point for SUD treatment and social services, by facilitating connections with community organizations to provide these services. Law enforcement officers and other first responders see firsthand the harmful effects of substance use and misuse on individuals and communities when responding to frequent drug overdoses, as well as calls for services involving individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Deflection is an emerging field of practice that occurs at the intersection of police, treatment and community. Deflection is a collaborative public health response that connects first responders, case managers, peer specialists and treatment providers with individuals in need of SUD and OUD related services without entry into the criminal legal system. Some of the most critical innovations of deflection occur by engaging persons with a substance-use disorder farther upstream than has previously been possible through traditional outreach or as the result of an event, such as arrest or overdose. Deflection occurs at the point of contact with law enforcement or other first responders instead of at the jail or in the emergency department. Deflection typically is a referral to services without an arrest being made. Ideally, deflection partnerships work with a formalized "warm handoff" from first responders to a deflection specialist, preferably within minutes and hours of the encounter. This critical point-in-time connection provides a pivotal opportunity to redirect individuals with substance-use, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders away from jails (and emergency departments, when appropriate), by instead connecting people in need of care to community-based treatment, recovery support, housing, and social services. Deflection efforts must recognize that individuals with SUDs may also have co-occurring disorders and long-term health needs that require additional support beyond treatment itself. Deflection work must address known social determinants of health, such as poverty and racism, and remove barriers to resources such as transportation and service accessibility. With relentless engagement and robust comprehensive case management, participants can access resources across the continuum of services, personalized to their needs and with one-on-one support throughout.

I. Agency Contact Information.

1. If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact Stephanie Frank at Stephanie.Frank@illinois.gov.
2. A frequently asked Question and Answer page is posted on the DHS website. Questions submitted up to 7 business days prior to the end of the NOFO posting period, will be posted on the website.

2. - Eligibility

3. - Program Description

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

1. This section MUST include the following:
   1. General purpose of the funding: The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS-SUPR) is interested in increasing the capacity of the deflection initiative across the state by involving all law enforcement agencies to address the persistent concern of substance use and misuse challenges in communities. This funding opportunity is for a grant to one organization who can provide ongoing technical assistance and support to existing deflection sites to increase their capacity for referrals and service, as well as develop other sites to enhance the Statewide Initiative for Deflection across the state of Illinois by connecting community networks with law enforcement as an alternative to arrest for individuals who encounter law enforcement.
      1. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work also 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. Deflection programs offer immediate pathways to substance use treatment, recovery, and other services as an alternative to entering the criminal legal system. The literature shows that community partnerships with law enforcement and other first responders that create meaningful connections to SUD and other social services strengthens communities by saving and restoring lives; reducing drug use and overdose incidence; and reducing criminal offending and recidivism. These services also help prevent arrest and conviction records that destabilize health, families, and opportunities for community connection and self-sufficiency. These efforts are bolstered when pursued in partnership with behavioral health treatment providers, recovery organizations and other community-based organizations. There are six deflection pathways that connect individuals to behavioral health treatment, recovery support, housing, case management and other services. These pathways include:
         1. Self-Referral - Individual initiates contact with law enforcement for a treatment referral (without fear of arrest); preferably a warm handoff to treatment.
         2. Active Outreach - Deflection Team intentionally IDs or seeks individuals; a warm handoff is made to treatment, which engages individuals in treatment.
         3. Naloxone Plus - Engagement with treatment as part of an overdose response or DSM-V severe for opiates; tight integration with treatment, naloxone (individual too)
         4. Officer/First Responder Referral - Law enforcement/FR initiates treatment engagement from a call for service or "on view"; no charges are filed.
         5. Officer Intervention Referral - Law enforcement (only) initiates treatment engagement from a call for service or "on view"; charges are held in abeyance, or citations issued, with requirement for completion of treatment.
         6. Community Response - In response to a call for service, a team comprising community-based behavioral health professionals (e.g., crisis workers, clinicians, peer specialists, etc.), and/or other credible messengers-individuals with lived experience-sometimes in partnership with medical professionals, engages individuals to help de-escalate crises, mediate low-level conflicts, or address quality of life issues by providing a referral to treatment, services, or to a case manager.
      3. Utilizing the 6 pathways, the organization will help communities build collaborative partnerships between law enforcement, other first responders, treatment providers and the recovery community to deflect individuals with substance use disorders away from the criminal legal system, when possible. This initiative will include both ISP and local county and municipal law enforcement. Depending on the community, these partnerships may also include other first responders like EMS and Fire.
      4. The organization will assist communities in increasing the number of pathways as deflection becomes established in those communities. The organization will assist communities in creating immediate pathways to substance use treatment, recovery, and other services as an alternative to traditional case processing and involvement in the criminal legal system, and unnecessary admission to emergency departments. The organization will also provide or coordinate training and technical assistance to law enforcement and other first responders on improved responses to persons with SUD and minimizing trauma during the response.
      5. This opportunity has four primary objectives:
         1. Provide technical assistance to communities to build a collaboration that deflects individuals away from the criminal legal system and into substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.
         2. Connect individuals to substance use treatment and recovery services using community partnerships that reduce barriers and provide immediate access to treatment and other services.
         3. Train first responders in trauma, addictions, and recovery by providing and/or partnering with an organization that provides ongoing training and technical assistance.
         4. Participate in the creation and operationalization, including data sharing, of a statewide data base with the University of Illinois - Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) and evaluation with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA).
      6. The organization will demonstrate an ability to identify a multi-disciplinary planning group within a community to build a collaboration of community stakeholders including those with lived expertise with SUD and/or justice involvement. Collaborations will also include law enforcement from the Illinois State police, as well as local jurisdictions.
      7. Utilizing the 6 pathways, the collaboration will identify an immediate pathway to SUD treatment and recovery services in the community. The warm hand off from law enforcement will include a deflection specialist that will be identified by the collaboration. The deflection specialist will either be from the grantee organization or an existing service/organization in the community, which could be an RCO, treatment organization or other community organization. In the case where an existing resource exists in the community, the grantee organization will subcontract with the second organization to provide the deflection specialist services.
      8. Through the deflection specialists, the organization will develop a comprehensive service plan and will utilize relentless engagement to engage the individual in substance use treatment or recovery services. Deflection specialists will have training in motivational interviewing as well as other evidenced based training that will assist them in managing engagement.
      9. The grantee organization will also develop and execute a plan for ongoing partner meetings and relationship building that will include law enforcement and community stakeholders. The grantee organization will also provide robust technical assistance and training to local law enforcement on the neuroscience of addiction, substance use treatment and recovery, stigma, the impact of trauma and other identified topics. The grantee organization can provide the technical assistance or partner with an existing organization for these trainings.
      10. The grantee organization will also be expected to cooperate with Illinois Criminal Justice Authority (ICJIA) and the University of Illinois - Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) for ongoing data collection and evaluation. CPRD is tasked with creating a central data collection repository for all data related to deflection. ICJIA is responsible for evaluation of the deflection initiative. The organization will assist deflection teams with their capacity building to collect data related to the implementation of deflection and reporting data monthly. This task is critical to demonstrating the impact of the Deflection Initiative and ultimately to the sustainability of deflection in Illinois .

   2. Program Goals and Objectives: Goal 1 - To expand and sustain community collaborations to reduce arrest and improve outcomes for people with substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders who encounter law enforcement or other first responders.

      1. Objective 1 - Provide technical assistance to communities to build a collaboration that deflects individuals away from the criminal legal system and into substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.
      2. Objective 2 - Connect individuals to substance use treatment and recovery services using community partnerships that reduce barriers and provide immediate access to treatment and other services.
      3. Objective 3- Train first responders in trauma, addictions, and recovery by providing and/or partnering with an organization that provides ongoing training and technical assistance.
      4. Objective 4 - Participate in the creation and operationalization, including data sharing, of a statewide data base with the University of Illinois - Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) and evaluation with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA).
   3. How award will contribute to Program Goals and Objectives: The award recipients will plan, implement, develop, and sustain a comprehensive statewide deflection initiative that will improve access to substance use treatment and recovery services by creating immediate pathways in communities between law enforcement/other first responders and community-based services. This access to services will include relentless community engagement and community intervention services that connect individuals to treatment and recovery services.
   4. The expected performance goals, indicators, targets, baseline data, data collection, and other outcomes the agency expects recipients to achieve are the following:
      1. Deflection literature shows the rate of referrals that turn into active participants ranges from 35 - 60%. The organization would be expected to maintain an overall participation rate of 35%, with a plan to reach higher participation rates.
      2. Individual Deflection sites would be expected to meet a minimum participation rate of 30%. Any site that drops to 30%, the organization would be expected to have a clear strategy to reach at least 35% within a quarter.
      3. Sites will be expected to show a steady increase in referrals from all law enforcement (local, county and state) and first responders.
      4. Sites will be expected to show a steady increase in referrals to substance use treatment and recovery services.
      5. Organization will be expected to report on number of trainings and technical assistance sessions held with Law Enforcement and first responders. Trainings can be statewide or with individual districts. A minimum of 2 trainings or TA's per quarter.
      6. Organization will be expected to report monthly on data related to performance of individual deflection sites.
      7. Organization will be expected to meet a minimum of quarterly with IDHS/SUPR, ICJIA and UIUC-CPRD.
   5.  For cooperative agreements, the "substantial involvement" that the State agency expects to have are: N/A.
   6. Specific unallowable costs for this program include the following: 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. Illinois Administrative Rule, Part 2060: https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07702060sections.html
      2. Illinois Administrative Rule, Part 2090: https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07702090sections.html  
      3. Illinois Substance Use Disorder Act: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=232&ChapterID=5  
   1. Other information the State agency finds necessary.
      1. Illinois Deflection statute, 50 ILCS 71: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3901&ChapterID=2.
      2. Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=3992.  

4. - Application Contents and Format.

This subsection must identify the required content of an application and the forms or formats an applicant must use. If any requirements are stated elsewhere, this section should refer to where those requirements may be found. This section also should include required forms or formats as part of the announcement or state where the applicant may obtain them.

1. This subsection MUST specifically address content and form or format requirements for:
   1. Content and Form of Application Submission
      1. A letter of intent is strongly encouraged.
      2. Required Content of Application
         1. Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below. Applicants that do not include all the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding. Refer to Section V.C for details.
      3. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments
         1. Program Narrative: IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.
         2. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments: If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will consider content contained within that specific section.
            1. The narrative portion must not exceed 10 single-spaced pages and must organized using the following criteria.
               1. Text in the narrative should be Calibri size 12-point black font. Tables should be 10-point font.
               2. Number each page including cover letter. Hand-numbering is acceptable.
               3. Use 8.5 x 11 paper size and one-inch margins.
               4. For each new section, include a header that is underlined.
               5. Attachments requested do not count towards the total number of pages allowed for the narrative.
               6. Any documents that require signatures may be scans of originals or electronic.
               7. If any activity/requirement will be completed by a third-party, a letter from the third-party indicating the service delivered must be included with the application packet.
               8. Images, figures, tables, or graphs should not equate to more than 25% of the narrative.
            2. Narratives must contain the following information:
               1. Organizational Qualifications-20 points: The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a description of the organization' experience and qualifications generally and specific to the provision of providing Deflection services.
                  1. Provide a brief description of the full array of services provided by your organization. Include numbers of persons served annually in your service programs, and the general demographics of service program participants. Include a description of how your organization is currently working within the state, and how the project goals and objectives for this NOFO fits into your organization's current strategic plan.
                  2. Describe how your organization implements culturally and linguistically responsive services that reflect the culture, racial, ethnic and linguistic characteristics of the populations you serve.
                  3. Describe the range of deflection services provided by your organization, to include the site locations of these services, the number of persons served during SFY2024, and the demographic characteristics of these persons (e.g. race, gender, average age, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, and sexual identity). Provide information regarding the number of persons referred to substance use services as a result of a deflection referral.
                  4. Provide a brief description of the staff members employed your agency that would be involved in the Deflection Initiative including their educational background, years of experience and, role in providing services proposed. Provide a summary of existing linkages with external community resources and services, particularly with organizations addressing employment, human, and health services not provided by the applicant organization.
               2. Statement of Problem 15 points- The purpose of this section is for the applicant to state clearly a description of the problem that demonstrates the need for Statewide deflection initiative.
                  1. Describe the organizations' understanding of Deflection and how the organization sees Deflection impacting Illinois.
               3. Program Plan 40 points- The purpose of this section is to provide a high-level plan for how the Deflection initiative will be managed and monitored. This should include an overall roadmap to achieve the goal of developing and sustaining community collaborations to reduce arrest and improve outcomes for people with substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders who encounter law enforcement or other first responders.
                  1. Statement of work - Utilizing the four (objectives) in the Program Description above, describe how the organization will meet the objectives. The plan should include addressing the sustainability of current initiatives and the feasibility of developing new partnerships.
                  2. Describe the collaboration that will occur in communities between the agency, law enforcement, other first responders, treatment and service providers, community-based organizations, and the community at large in order to maintain referrals levels sustainability.
                  3. Describe any anticipated challenges to implementing or expanding and how those will be mitigated or addressed. Include how the organization will prioritize areas of development.
                  4. Describe how the organization will address implicit bias in service provision.
                  5. Describe the plan for ensuring relentless engagement with individual referrals from law enforcement and the immediate access to treatment services.
                  6. Describe how the organization will equip the deflection specialists with skills to assist them in managing engagement.
                  7. Describe how the organization will maintain an ongoing relationship with law enforcement to ensure a steady stream of referrals.
                  8. Describe the plan for providing training and technical assistance for law enforcement and how the organization will achieve this objective.
               4. Quality 25 points - The purpose of this section is to describe your ability to collect and report on data related to a project, as well as partner with other organizations for evaluation and data sharing. This is especially critical to the long-term sustainability of deflection.
                  1. Describe your capacity and commitment to collect and report the service and performance data specified in this NOFO. Do you collect data manually or have a monitoring system that collects data or other electronic collection mechanisms?
                  2. Describe how you have shared information (measures and results) with other organizations and stakeholders for planning, service provision and evaluation purposes.
                  3. Describe measurable data you will collect and outcomes you will report monthly.
                  4. Describe your experience in designing and implementing quality improvement activities to improve the provision of services.
                  5. Describe the organization's commitment to engaging in a statewide data base for deflection and partnering with UIUC-CPRD and ICJIA.
      4. 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.
      5. 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)
      6. 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).

5. -  Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

1. Address to Request Application Package. 
   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).
   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. 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 (4)(A)
      2. 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 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.
      3. Documents must include the following password: N/A.
      4. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows: N/A. 
      5. 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. Pre-application materials must be submitted as follows: N/A.
   4. If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:
      1. Name: Stephanie Frank
      2. Email: DHS.SUPR.Grant.Implementation@Illinois.gov
4. Submission Dates and Times.

1. Full applications are due on the following date: April 2, 2025 at the following time 11:59 p.m. (CST).
2. Letters of intent are due on the following date: March 17, 2025.
3. Other submissions required before the award (separate from the full application) include: 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.

1. Intergovernmental Review. This section must include the following:
   1. This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs".

6. - Application Review Information.

1. Review and Selection Process.
   1. 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: May 15, 2025.
   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: Stephanie Frank
               2. Email address: DHS.SUPR.Grant.Implementation@Illinois.gov
               3. Email Subject Line: Organization's Name, CSFA # - 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. 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

7. - 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. A written Notice of Denial shall be sent to the applicants not receiving an award following the Merit Review process.

8. - 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. To review a sample of the current IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement, visit: 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.
   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

9. - Other Information