Questions & Answers - IDHS-Home Visiting (26-444-84-2889-01)

The questions on this page are shown in reverse chronological order, with the most recent postings at the top of the page. This page was last updated on 5/15/25.

Questions posted on 5/15/25 are below:

Can you please clarify that the attachments (A-E) are to be embedded into the entire NOFO document (so that it is one continuous document) rather than each as its own separate attachment when submitting the NOFO? So there will be the home visiting narrative (potential 15 pages), followed by all attachments A-E (add'l 5 pages) and Attachment F (add'l 10 pages), so the entire PDF will be up to 30 pages in length?
1. Yes, we are asking applicants to submit the narrative as one pdf that includes the narrative (potential 15 pages), the Attachments A-E, and (if applicable) Attachment F (potential 10 pages).
I am inquiring about the budget portion of the NOFO. Am I correct to understand that grant awards are paid based on number of families served?
1. In order to make funding allocations more equitable, IDHS is using a cost model to determine the amount of funding per family. The budget should be calculated based on the estimated number of families served, as shown in the table in section IV.4.a.4.e. Programs will not be penalized for serving a different number of families than their estimated number of families served.
If we received the grant award, how does payment work? We would be a start up program, so we would be hiring and training our staff in July 2025 before starting services to families. We would need financing to get started.
1. The grant period starts July 1, 2025, so July 2025 would be the first month for which grantees can seek payment. Grantees are able to select the Advance Payment method, as described in the Grant Payments Overview. The Payment Terms in the grant agreement state, "Upon program approval for advance payment, an initial payment will be processed in an amount equal to the first two months' cash requirements as reflected in the submitted Advance Payment Requirements Forecast (Cash Budget) Form." It is important to note that even if a grantee selects the Advance Payment method, payments will not start until the grant is fully executed and the grant funds are obligated at the Illinois Office of the Comptroller.
Does the Uniform Grant Application need to be wet-signed or e-signed?
1. The Uniform Grant Application can be electronically signed.

Questions posted on May 13, 2025, are below:

Are we to just write the Narrative in Word Document? Where are the attachment downloads?
1. The Home Visiting Narrative Template includes the section headings and Attachments. Applicants can go to the above link, and copy and paste the information into a Word document. (The template is not a fillable form.)
In the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, how do I fill out the sections on Page 1 (#9, #10, #13)?
1. The NOFO includes this link to the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance. In this form, applicants do not need to enter any codes or funding information on the first page.
In the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, on Page 3 #45 "Amount Requested from the State," I used the following math: 15 estimated families served x 2 FTE Home Visitors x Metro Chicago $10,445 amount- is that correct?
1. Follow the budget and budget narrative instructions in Section IV.A.4., Application Contents and Format. This section includes a table showing the projected number of families to be served per year by 1.0 FTE home visitor and the cost per family for Metro Chicago and the Rest of the State, for each home visiting model. Multiply the proposed home visitor FTE by the projected number of families to be served per year by the cost per family to calculate the budget amount. As stated in the instructions, "Applicants may apply for more than the above amount of funding, along with a description and rationale of services provided that are above and beyond the standard home visiting program model."
We've always had 2 FTE Home Visitors. I'm interested in expanding our Home Visiting program and adding an additional FTE Home Visitor. a) Can I do that in this application? b) I don't want to risk not being renewed by asking for an additional FTE and increased funding. IF the state determines they cannot allocate the additional funds for an increase of 1 FTE Home Visitor, would they reject my application in its entirety OR would they award what they could afford, and just keep us at our original 2 FTE funding level?
1. Yes, applicants may apply for new/expanded slots. Applicants are advised to apply for the staffing that they need, and to include this rationale in their narrative. Section VI of the NOFO describes the review criteria and the selection process. We cannot provide further guidance to applicants about their potential level of success.
IF an adding an additional Home Visitor is approved, how long do they have to take classes AND reach at least 85% of their total capacity? Is that 85% amount waived during a Home Visitor's initial year of hire? HFA allows for a HV to carry less than the max caseload during their first year.
1. The 85% caseload capacity measure is for the program as a whole (not for individual home visitors). IDHS understands that it will take time to build capacity for new hires. Programs should follow their home visiting model's guidance for training and caseload for new home visitors.
I am emailing because I seen there are two NOFOs for the Home Visiting program and wanted to know which one we apply for, the competitive or non competitive application? Also, I wanted to find out if application packages or grant awards have been sent to agencies.
1. For current IDHS HV grantees receiving state or state ARP funding, in order to receive state funding in FY26, you would need to apply for this competitive FY26 IDHS Home Visiting NOFO 26-444-84-2889-01.
2. For current IDHS HV grantees receiving federal MIECHV funds: Current IDHS MIECHV HV-CI grantees would not apply for the NOFO in order to continue their MIECHV HV-CI funding. Current MIECHV grantees have received direct communications about their FY26 MIECHV funds from Charles (Chuck) Dooley.
Do the Uniform Grant Agreement and the Conflict of Interest Statement need to be sent in advance of the NOFO Narrative?
1. No. Please include the Uniform Grant Agreement and the Conflict of Interest Disclosure along with the Narrative (with the attachments) in a single email, to DHS.HomeVisiting@illinois.gov.

Questions posted on May 9, 2025, are below:

I wanted to inquire why Clay County is not currently listed as a priority 1 population (in our previous grant application we were Priority 1) and on the CPRD MIECHV Needs assessment linked in the NOFO we are listed as "At Risk Phase 1." Could you please clarify?
1. The NOFO has been corrected, effective 5/8/25, to reflect that Clay County is Priority 1, and Lee County is Priority 2.
Section 2.A.3 in the Home Visiting Narrative Template - Families to be served: How to estimate the number of eligible families? We have the number of eligible children (at least on an income basis).
1. Each home visiting model has a definition of eligible families, and individual programs may have additional target populations. Demographic data can be found in the Erikson Institute Risk and Reach Report and the IECAM Regional Reports.
Attachment B - Organizational chart: Are they looking for an overall agency org. chart, or just one that shows the proposed program? Should we submit it without names?
1. For Attachment B, the Organizational Chart, an overall agency organizational chart is requested, as well as the organizational chart for the proposed program. Please follow the instructions in the Home Visiting Narrative Template, which state: 1. "Please include your organization's organizational chart, in any format. 2. Please be sure that this chart clearly shows the following: a. The names and titles of all staff members who provide direct services under this grant, including home visitors, doulas, and any other staff who directly serve families. b. The names and titles of all of the above direct service staff members' supervisors and the supervisors' managers. c. This information can be provided on a separate page, if needed."
Does "Community Need" in the Home Visiting Narrative Template refer to the community's need for home visiting services? Or just general community needs?
1. Community Needs should be related to the need for home visiting services.
Do we follow IDHS health (well-child visits) requirements or the HS/EHS model?
1. Successful applicants will be required to follow IDHS benchmark requirements as well as their model's fidelity requirements. Grantees will receive technical assistance on meeting IDHS requirements.
When we are writing the narrative, would you like us to include the question you are wanting us to ask, then write our answer or can we just answer the question?
1. In Section IV.A.3.b.ii, Application Contents and Format, the NOFO states: "Each section must have a heading that corresponds to the headings, in the order listed in the template." It is not necessary to include the specific questions for each section heading.
Is there a word count for the NOFO?
1. No, there is no word count for the NOFO.

Questions posted on May 6, 2025, are below:

We serve families who have kids 0-5 and would like to begin a home visiting program using the Parents As Teachers Model. We are not currently a Parents As Teachers affiliate but would like to use IDHS money to help us with the process of becoming an affiliate and starting to deliver home visiting services. Are we eligible to apply for this grant, or is it only for organizations that are ALREADY credentialed and delivering services under one of these curricula?
1. Yes, applicants who are not yet credentialed and delivering home visiting services may apply for this NOFO. In the Home Visiting Narrative, identify where you are in the certification/credentialing process. Please include all projected costs of the program in your budget and budget narrative, including any start-up costs.
Is a program eligible to apply for a home visiting grant if it: 1) does not currently have a home visiting program but would like to start one and 2) is not currently credentialed/accreditation with any of the home visiting models listed in the home visiting NOFO (Parents as Teachers, etc.), but intends to seek this credentialing/ accreditation? If yes, how would the program show that it is "in good standing" with one of the home visiting models, as required by the NOFO?
1. Yes, applicants who are not yet credentialed and delivering home visiting services may apply for this NOFO. In the Home Visiting Narrative, identify the home visiting model that you propose to use and where you are in the certification/ credentialing process. Please include all projected costs of the program in your budget and budget narrative, including any start-up costs.
Do we need to do a separate CSA budget for the doula enhancement or should it be included in our larger budget for Home Visiting? If it's included in the larger Home Visiting, is it clear in CSA what money is for doula or we need to specify that amount in the budget narrative?
1. In your budget and budget narrative in the CSA, please include all expenses for the program (including the doula enhancement if you are proposing this). Please note, eligibility for the doula enhancement is limited to home visiting programs with existing integrated doula services, that are currently funded by IDHS (this includes IDHS Maternal Child Home Visiting funding received through a subcontract with Start Early).
Are food costs associated with participant group events an allowable expense within the budget?
1. The reasonable cost of refreshments and snacks for enrolled individuals/families participating in group activities that are an integral component of the home visiting programs is allowable (e.g., nutritious snacks for dads' group meetings).
We have some questions about how to incorporate Parents Care & Share into our Home Visiting application. Are there separate narrative questions specifically for that that will be submitted as an enhancement? Or should we work PC&S programming into the Home Visiting narrative?
1. In section III.E.1.j, Program Description, the NOFO states: "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." Please include this information in the Home Visiting Narrative, in the Quality section.
Are we supposed to re-create the charts for Attachments A, D and E since they are not provided as separate fillable/downloadable forms?
1. All of the attachments are included in the Home Visiting Narrative Template. Please go to that link, and copy and paste the information (which includes the charts for the attachments).
The Notice of Funding Opportunity specifies a requirement of a minimum of 72 hours of consultation per year. We are submitting two separate applications for two distinct programs within our organization (housed at the same location, serving the same area). One of these programs operates with minimal staff, and allocating the full 72 hours to that program would exceed its capacity and may not be appropriate for its scale. Can the 72-hour requirement be distributed across both applications/programs, provided the total annual consultation hours meet or exceed 72 hours collectively? If allowable, how should we document this in the narrative and budget sections to ensure clarity and compliance?
1. Yes, you can provide IECMHC to both programs together (programs that are housed at the same site and serving the same community, where one program has minimal staff) as long as collectively they include at least 72 hours of consultation. In both of your applications, please explain how you are allocating the costs for this across your applications, in your narrative, budget, and budget narrative.

Questions posted on May 2, 2025, are below:

In our current HV program, caseload is by number of kids/prenatal parents. One family may have 2 kids and we count both kids on the caseload. When you say, for example, 10 families on a caseload, are we counting the family regardless of how many kids?
1. Yes, for the purpose of calculating caseload, we are counting the family as one family, regardless of the number of children in the family who are receiving services.
How do we find out how much money to ask for, for the doula enhancement?
1. Please note, eligibility for the doula enhancement is limited to home visiting programs with existing integrated doula services, that are currently funded by IDHS (this includes IDHS Maternal Child Home Visiting funding received through a subcontract with Start Early). For the doula enhancement, please budget for the staffing patterns, caseload, and other requirements listed in Section III, Program Description. This includes, but is not limited to, minimum salary requirements, supervision ratio, and Clinical Consultation.
For doula enhancement - would we request funding based on their caseload - 23 families per year?
1. A full-time doula would be expected to serve 23 families per year. Please note, eligibility for the doula enhancement is limited to home visiting programs with existing integrated doula services, that are currently funded by IDHS (this includes IDHS Maternal Child Home Visiting funding received through a subcontract with Start Early). For the doula enhancement, please budget for the staffing patterns, caseload, and other requirements listed in Section III, Program Description. This includes, but is not limited to, minimum salary requirements, supervision ratio, and Clinical Consultation.
In the NOFO it states that we have to be in good standing with the model. What does that look like?
1. Each home visiting model has its own accreditation or credentialing system for local programs. Please see your program model for details. In the Home Visiting Narrative, identify where you are in the certification/credentialing process.
For programs with multiple locations with multiple Visit Tracker accounts, would it be appropriate to do one application or one per Visit Tracker account location?
1. Applicants that propose to serve multiple distinct locations with different sets of community needs and concerns are advised to submit separate grant requests. (The number of Visit Tracker accounts does not affect the number of applications to submit. If there are multiple Visit Tracker accounts, this should be included in the budget and budget narrative.)
I wish to verify that the "section" page limits are just suggestions, and applicants are not bound to strictly adhere to them. For example, in the Home Visiting Narrative, there is a suggested page limit of 6 pages for the Quality section. In this section, although a page limit of 6 is suggested, we may have 7 pages as long as the FULL Narrative does not surpass 15 pages. Is that correct?
1. Yes, the total page limit for the Home Visiting Narrative is 15 pages, and the page guidelines for each section are only suggestions. In other words, you do not need to follow page limits for each sections (such as the Quality section).
I have another question - in section IV.A.4.e. of the NOFO and during the TA webinar, IDHS set the caseload of families served through Parents as Teachers (PAT) as 18 families per FTE. However, in section III.E.g.i. of the NOFO, it says the service capacity for PAT is 15 families. Can you please clarify if the service capacity for Parents as Teachers is 15 or 18 families?
1. Caseload is the term we use to describe the number of families that a home visitor can serve at a single point in time. This is different from the number of families served during the year. Using the PAT example, in the NOFO Section III.E.g.i., it says the capacity for PAT is 15 families at a single point in time. This is the number used to calculate caseload capacity. Typically, there is some turnover of families during the year, so a full-time (1.0 FTE) home visitor that can serve 15 families at a single point in time, would be expected to serve 18 families during the year. This is the number used to project your budget, as shown in Section IV.

Questions posted on May 1, 2025, are below:

We are interested in submitting a proposal, but we are soon launching our home visiting program and have not received IDHS home visiting funding as a grantee or subcontractor. Because organizations that previously received this funding receive 10 points, this automatically subtracts 10 possible points from our score, leaving us at a significant disadvantage and not in a competitive position. Is it worth our while to even try?
1. This is a competitive NOFO for IDHS state funded home visiting. All applicants will be scored on the basis of the criteria described in section VI, Application Review Information. As described in section VI.A., there will be 10 priority points given to applications from current IDHS home visiting grantees and subcontractors of current IDHS home visiting grantees. We cannot provide further guidance to applicants about their potential level of success.
Is this NOFO what we need to pursue for the Parents Care & Share program for FY26, to continue our current contract?
1. For current IDHS Parents Care and Share or Responsible Parenting grantees, in order to receive state funding in FY26, you would need to apply for this NOFO. In the past, there was a separate IDHS Bureau of Home Visiting funding stream for parent groups (for Parents Care & Share and Responsible Parenting). Starting in FY26, the only available funding for parent groups is through the Home Visiting Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Can you confirm that group support for parents is now folded into home visiting?
1. In the past, there was a separate IDHS Bureau of Home Visiting funding stream for parent groups (for Parents Care & Share and Responsible Parenting). Starting in FY26, the only available funding for parent groups is through the Home Visiting Notice of Funding Opportunity. For current IDHS Parents Care and Share or Responsible Parenting grantees, in order to receive state funding in FY26, you would need to apply for this NOFO.
If you do not currently have an IDHS grant can you apply for a new one?
1. Yes. Eligible applicants who do not currently have IDHS home visiting funding may apply for this NOFO. Please note, eligibility for the doula enhancement is limited to home visiting programs with existing integrated doula services, that are currently funded by IDHS (this includes IDHS Maternal Child Home Visiting funding received through a subcontract with Start Early).
If we do not get funding for Early Head Start, can we still use that model and apply for this grant stating that? OR do we have to switch to another model, like PAT?
1. Applicants may apply for this NOFO using any of the four models listed in the NOFO (Early Head Start Home-Based, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers). Applicants can contact the national model for expectations and guidance regarding model implementation.
Last time the salary floors were implemented, we had 3 years to meet the floor. Because we are part of a county health department, our staff get IMRF benefits. Because of this, we cannot increase a persons salary more than 6% in a year. any suggestions on how to meet this salary floor with our restriction?
1. In the Home Visiting Narrative template, in the Quality section, the instructions state: "Describe how your agency will meet the minimum salary floor for home visitors and supervisors in SFY26. If it is not possible to implement the minimum salary requirements in SFY26, applicants must describe the barriers to meeting the requirement, and their plan and timeline for meeting the minimum salary level."
Are there specific guidelines for the sub-county region we can propose to serve? For example, we operate on the North Side of Chicago -- should we provide the zip codes or Community Areas that we plan to operate in, or how should we outline our sub-county region?
1. In the Home Visiting Narrative template, in the Community Need section, the instructions state: "For your proposed service area, list the county(ies) and/or subcounty area(s) to be served, complete with all related zip codes. If there are specific boundaries within a given geographic area(s), these must be explicitly spelled out in the application."
We thought the NOFO was limited to children ages 0-3, but the slides in the TA webinar indicate 0-5, is that correct?
1. This NOFO is for home visiting services for 0-5 (which includes pregnant people).
In terms of the eligible curriculum models, Baby Talk, Inc, was not listed. Is there a reason why this State approved evidence based HV curriculum model was not listed and is it possible to use it?
1. IDHS appreciates that the Baby TALK model is well established in Illinois. IDHS's federal home visiting funding requires the use of home visiting models that are approved by the federal HOMVEE (Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness). In an effort to align our state and federal home visiting expectations, only the following home visiting models can be used for this NOFO: Early Head Start Home-Based, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers.
I noticed in the NOFO that the use of PAT is required. Currently, we are not using PAT-will this prevent us from applying? Would it be acceptable to use the grant to support training and implementation, or do we need to already be in the process of transitioning to PAT?
1. The NOFO does NOT require the use of the Parents As Teachers model. This NOFO is open to applicants using any of the following four models: Early Head Start Home-Based, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers.
Are there any educational requirements for the home visitors?
1. IDHS does not have specific educational requirements for the home visitors. Applicants should follow the guidance of their home visiting model.
In the LOI, we have to state the areas we will serve and which model we will use, is that part binding? Can we change our minds? We are just starting to think about this, so we may need a bit more time. But we will submit the LOI on time.
1. All aspects of the optional Letter of Intent (LOI) are non-binding. Yes, applicants can change their mind about anything in the LOI, after submitting.
To clarify we must serve a priority county to apply?
1. Applicants must serve one of the counties listed in the NOFO in order to apply. This includes Priority 1, Priority 2, and the other counties listed.
Are we allowed to apply for multiple site locations under 1 application?
1. Applicants that propose to serve multiple distinct locations with different sets of community needs and concerns are advised to submit separate grant requests.
Is the doula enhancement included in the 15-page limit for the program narrative?
1. No, the doula enhancement narrative is not part of the 15 page limit. The doula enhancement narrative does have a separate 10 page limit, as stated in the narrative template.
On the uniform application for state grant assistance #10 CFDA - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds is no longer available. What do we put on that line?
1. In the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, applicants do not need to enter any codes or funding information on the first page.
If the applicant's only other current source of DHS funding is a CCAP contract (not technically a grant), could the applicant be considered a current DHS grantee for purposes of this application?
1. No. Only grantees that currently receive a home visiting grant from IDHS are considered current IDHS home visiting grantees, for the purpose of this application.
Are letters of support from community partners accepted as part of an application?
1. Letters of support are not needed as part of this application. Please note the page limits (15 pages for the home visiting narrative, 10 pages for the doula enhancement narrative).
We have a grant directly from DHS plus one through Start Early. We will request the Start Early DHS grant amount directly from DHS this year. Do we combine the two grant amounts and complete one application? Or do we do a separate application for the amount from Start Early?
1. Applicants that propose to serve multiple distinct locations with different sets of community needs and concerns are advised to submit separate grant requests.
2. Applicants that are proposing to use more than one home visiting model should submit a separate application for each model.
3. If neither of these conditions applies to your situation, and if you consider the two current grants as covering one cohesive program, you may submit one application.
We get DHS funds from Start Early for a certain % of our Doula FTE's. Would we only include that portion in our DHS Doula enhancement request?
1. No, applicants are not limited to their current funded % of FTEs for doulas (or their current funded % FTEs of home visitors). Applicants should consider what is needed in order to effectively serve families in their community.
Are Attachments A, D and E available to download?
1. Yes. All of the attachments are part of the Home Visiting Narrative template that is provided in the NOFO.
How do we find who already provides DHS funded home visiting in a certain county? We would like to apply for counties we are not currently covering but only if there is enough need.
1. In the Home Visiting Narrative template, in the Community Needs section, the instructions under Coordination state: "The www.igrowillinois.org website contains a list of home visiting programs in Illinois currently known to IDHS. Use the igrow Illinois "Find A Program" feature to locate the other home visiting programs within your proposed service area and list them in your program narrative.
We provide Early Intervention Services. Applying for this grant would allow us to provide home visiting for our families, essentially this would be a start up for us. We would hire staff and train them in PAT. Will this grant cover the PAT training and implementation?
1. Please include all projected costs of the program in your budget and budget narrative, including any start-up costs.
Will there be an increase in fees for HFA?
1. Please contact your home visiting program model for the latest fee information.
What is a Visit Tracker Fee?
1. Visit Tracker is the data system used by IDHS home visiting grantees. There is an annual subscription fee for the Visit Tracker data system: see VisitTracker pricing for the current rate schedule based on the number of users.

Questions posted on April 29, 2025 are below:

Where can I find the recording and slides for the April 29, 2025 Technical Assistance Webinar for this NOFO?
1. FY26 IDHS Home Visiting NOFO Technical Assistance Webinar recording (April 29, 2025)
2. FY26 IDHS Home Visiting NOFO Technical Assistance Webinar slides (pdf) (April 29, 2025)

Questions posted on April 25, 2025 are below:

Could we apply on our own while simultaneously considering being a sub-grantee on another prospective grantee's application?
1. As stated in Section I. Eligibility, "Applicants may apply independently or jointly. Joint applications for funds may be submitted by any combination of eligible applicants. For joint applications, the lead applicant would need to submit an application on behalf of all partners." As stated in Section II.G. Eligibility, "There is no limit on the number of applications that one applicant can submit." Therefore, an applicant could apply on their own while also applying as a sub-grantee on another entity's application.
We have heard that this will be a competitive cycle for home visiting and noticed in the application that there will be weight given to organizations that are current IDHS grantees. We would appreciate your guidance on whether there is potential for a new applicant to be successful in this process.
1. This is a competitive NOFO for IDHS state funded home visiting. All applicants will be scored on the basis of the criteria described in section VI, Application Review Information. As described in section VI.A., there will be 10 priority points given to applications from current IDHS home visiting grantees and subcontractors of current IDHS home visiting grantees. We cannot provide further guidance to applicants about their potential level of success.
Regarding the cost per family, it is listed under the HFA section -- is that the total cost just for Home Visiting staff? Or is that the cost for Doula's as well?
1. The HFA cost per family in the NOFO reflects the cost for the regular HFA program and does not include the costs of the doula enhancement for home visiting.
  
  In Section IV.F., Application Contents and Format, the NOFO states: "Applicants may apply for more than the above amount of funding, along with a description and rationale of services provided that are above and beyond the standard home visiting program model." This would include costs of the doula enhancement for home visiting.

Questions posted on April 23, 2025 are below:

What is the projected cost model for doula caseloads per family?
1. This NOFO does not include a projected cost model for the doula enhancement. Please see section III.E.3.b. Program Description, Doula deliverables, for the salary requirement for doulas and doula supervisors, and see section III.E.3.f. for the caseload expectations.
We would like to submit a joint proposal as an intermediary organization that works with home visiting programs as subcontractors. Is there any guidance you can provide re: exceeding the funding formula, or building in the kinds of data management and program monitoring costs that we incur as part of our intermediary function?
1. In Section IV.F., Application Contents and Format, the NOFO states: "Applicants may apply for more than the above amount of funding, along with a description and rationale of services provided that are above and beyond the standard home visiting program model." This would include services provided by an intermediary.
  
  Regarding data management, please also note that Section III.E.1.m. States that grantees will "use the information management system designated by the Department to record information on program participants, and the activities of program staff." In addition, the Budget and Budget Narrative should include Annual subscription to Visit Tracker data system, as stated in Section IV.A.4.g.ii.
Do you have a specific template for the requested Letter of Intent?
1. We do not have a specific template for the optional Letter of Intent. Please do include the information listed in section IV.A.1, Application Contents and Format, Letter of Intent.
You do not list Baby Talk, Inc as one of the approved evidence based models. We currently have an ISBE PI funded program that uses Baby Talk, Inc. Are we not able to use this approved model for the DHS Home Visiting funds?
1. This NOFO is only for the home visiting models listed in section III.E.1.a., Program Description.
Is this notice for new/expanded slots or existing programs?
1. This is a competitive NOFO for IDHS state funded home visiting. Applicants may apply for continuation of existing programs and/or for new/expanded slots.

Questions posted on April 21, 2025 are below:

Our program covers several different locations. Should we be going about writing 2 separate grant requests or is it appropriate to add all locations into one bigger ask, as long as we can somehow fit all the information into the 15-page minimum?
1. Applicants that propose to serve multiple distinct locations with different sets of community needs and concerns are advised to submit separate grant requests.
Are MIECHV grants for coordinated intake and other MIECHV initiatives funded under this NOFO?
1. Current IDHS MIECHV grantees would not apply for the NOFO in order to continue their MIECHV funding. MIECHV grantees will receive a separate communication about their FY26 MIECHV funds.
We are currently funded to provide both the Healthy Families and PAT models. Do we need to submit separate applications/budgets - one for each model? We currently submit two PPR's (Periodic Performance Reports) and one PFR (Periodic Financial Report) - and have separate logins in Visit Tracker.
1. Applicants that are proposing to use more than one home visiting model should submit a separate application for each model.
We receive funding from IDHS through the Responsible Parenting grant to support parent-led education groups for young parents using the evidence-based PAT curriculum. We've been informed that we need to recompete for this grant in FY26. Should we include these operating costs in this application? We would also want to apply for the Responsible Parenting grant to serve families who are not participating in home visiting programs. We have very successfully operated these support groups since the organization was founded - 40 years ago.
1. As described in Section II.E.1.j., under Program Description, community-centered program services, NOFO applicants may include parent-led groups as a supplement to home visiting services.
Parts of our Doula program have been funded with IDHS funds via Start Early. From the NOFO: Doula enhancement: it says, "Only those applicants that currently have IDHS-funded doulas as part of their home visiting program, are eligible to apply for the doula enhancement in FY26. This includes applicants with current IDHS state funding, and current IDHS Maternal Child Home Visiting as a subcontractor of Start Early." We want to confirm that we are eligible to include a request for these funds in this application?
1. Yes, if part (or all) of your doula program has been funded with IDHS funds via Start Early, then you are eligible to apply for doula funds through this NOFO.
Are programs that are FY25 subcontracted with Start Early for home visitors and doulas, able to apply for doula services for FY26?
1. If part (or all) of your doula program has been funded with IDHS funds via Start Early, then you are eligible to apply for doula funds through this NOFO.
We currently receive Prevention Initiative Home Visiting funding through the City of Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services, which is administered via the Early Childhood Block Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) through Chicago Public Schools. We utilize the Parents As Teachers (PAT) model to deliver Home Visiting. Are we still eligible to apply for the IDHS - Home Visiting grant if we already receive funding for Home Visiting through the Early Childhood Block Grant? If so, could we apply for funding through this NOFO to expand our Home Visiting program by adding additional Home Visitors to our staff?
1. Yes, programs that currently receive funding for home visiting through the Early Childhood Block Grant are eligible to apply for this NOFO. Yes, programs can apply for this NOFO to expand existing services.
Just to confirm, is the technical assistance session scheduled for April 29, 2025 mandatory to attend?
1. The technical assistance session is strongly encouraged, but it is not required. The technical assistance session will be recorded, and the recording will be posted on this page.
Are approximately 35 to 40 awards expected to be made?
1. Yes, approximately 35 to 40 awards are expected. This is an estimate.
Just to confirm, is the due date for optional letters of intent 11:59 p.m. CT on April 30, 2025? I ask because the program information provides that deadline, and also states the deadline is "two weeks after NOFO is posted."
1. The due date for the optional letters of intent is April 30 at 11:59 p.m. CT. The NOFO has been corrected to reflect this date/time throughout the document.

Questions posted on April 18, 2025 are below:

Are Regional Offices of Education eligible to apply for this NOFO?
1. Yes, Regional Offices of Education are eligible to apply for the NOFO.
  
  In Section II, Eligibility, the NOFO states "The specific types of applicants that may apply for the grant award 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."
Do current IDHS state funded HV grantees need to apply for this NOFO?
1. This is a competitive NOFO for IDHS state funded home visiting. For current IDHS home visiting grantees receiving state or state ARP funding, in order to receive state funding in FY26, you would need to apply for this NOFO. (Eligible applicants who do not currently have IDHS home visiting funding may also apply for this NOFO.)
Do current IDHS MIECHV-funded grantees need to apply for this NOFO?
1. Current MIECHV grantees would NOT apply for the NOFO in order to continue their MIECHV funding. MIECHV grantees will receive a separate communication about their FY26 MIECHV funds.
Can you clarify if the new NOFO is for Coordinated Intake (CI) work as well as home visiting?
1. To clarify, this NOFO is NOT for Coordinated Intake (CI).

Questions & Answers - IDHS-Home Visiting (26-444-84-2889-01)

I am inquiring about the budget portion of the NOFO. Am I correct to understand that grant awards are paid based on number of families served?

If we received the grant award, how does payment work? We would be a start up program, so we would be hiring and training our staff in July 2025 before starting services to families. We would need financing to get started.

Does the Uniform Grant Application need to be wet-signed or e-signed?

Are we to just write the Narrative in Word Document? Where are the attachment downloads?

In the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, how do I fill out the sections on Page 1 (#9, #10, #13)?

In the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, on Page 3 #45 "Amount Requested from the State," I used the following math: 15 estimated families served x 2 FTE Home Visitors x Metro Chicago $10,445 amount- is that correct?

IF an adding an additional Home Visitor is approved, how long do they have to take classes AND reach at least 85% of their total capacity? Is that 85% amount waived during a Home Visitor's initial year of hire? HFA allows for a HV to carry less than the max caseload during their first year.

I am emailing because I seen there are two NOFOs for the Home Visiting program and wanted to know which one we apply for, the competitive or non competitive application? Also, I wanted to find out if application packages or grant awards have been sent to agencies.

Do the Uniform Grant Agreement and the Conflict of Interest Statement need to be sent in advance of the NOFO Narrative?