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 updated on 4/23/25.

Questions posted on April 23, 2025 are below:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Are approximately 35 to 40 awards expected to be made?

   1. Yes, approximately 35 to 40 awards are expected. This is an estimate.

10. 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:

1. 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."

2. 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.)

3. 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.

4. 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).