IN 03/13/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- DSP Online Training Learning Management System RFP is Live!
- NOFO Application Closing Date Reminder
- NOFO Questions and Answers
- Share Your Ideas for DDD's Five Year Strategic Plan
- Women's History Month
- Other Resources: WISE and RCADD Webinars
- BALC Update
- Final IB Posted (corrected LINK)
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ONLINE TRAINING LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL IS LIVE!
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Direct Support Professional (DSP) Online Training via BidBuy.
For more information, please visit: State of Illinois - General Services - Bid Solicitation. Questions can be sent to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.
NOFO APPLICATION CLOSING DATE REMINDER
This a friendly reminder that DDD posted the first three FY26 Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. You can see the previous communication here: FY26 Notice of Funding Opportunities Posted. Agencies interested in applying for any of these grant programs posted February 11 will have from now until 5:00 pm CST on March 21, 2025, to submit their completed application packet. DDD is anticipating awarding these three grants on May 16, 2025. Subject to appropriation, the grant period for these awards will be July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
The following grants are posted with application closing date 03/21/2025:
- Dignity in Pay Grant
- Family Advocate Program
- Latino Outreach Program
The Division posted an additional two NOFOs on Monday, March 3, 2025. You can see the previous communication here: Additional FY26 Notice of Funding Opportunities Posted. Agencies interested in applying for these grant programs will have from now until 5:00 pm CST on April 4, 2025, to submit their completed application packet. DDD is anticipating awarding the grants on June 6, 2025. Subject to appropriation, the grant period for these awards will be July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
The following grants are posted with application closing date 04/04/2025:
- Dental Grant
- Epilepsy Program
DDD's FY26 NOFO website is located here: IDHS: Developmental Disabilities Grants - FY 2026. The NOFOs will be posted on the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance website. Please contact DHS.DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov if you have any questions about FY26 NOFOs.
NOFO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
To ensure the same information is available to everyone, and that there is no perceived or actual advantage given to potential applicants, individual DDD personnel are unable to participate in any 1:1 conversation or reply privately to NOFO inquiries.
As directed in the NOFOs, questions should be directed to DHS.DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov.
All inquiries will receive a response which will be posted to the publicly facing Question and Answer page associated to each NOFO.
SHARE YOUR IDEAS FOR DDD's FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
We are asking ALL individuals receiving services, families, service providers and their front-line staff, Independent Service Coordinators (ISC) and their staff, advocates, state staff, and other stakeholders to complete the below survey. We want to hear from everyone about your top five priorities for the new FY26-30 Division of Developmental Disabilities Five Year Strategic Plan. Virtual townhalls are in the process of being scheduled, and dates will follow in future communication. Below is the survey in English and Spanish.
Please share with your networks. Send any questions to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH - MARCH 2025
In the past year, the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion have been increasingly challenged. Misinformation and disinformation make it more critical than ever to include all generations in the effort to promote these principles. Advocating for equity and inclusion requires courage, especially when faced with those who seek to misinterpret, exploit, or discredit these values.
"Women's history is an essential and indispensable part of the national narrative. By understanding the achievements, struggles, and contributions of women throughout history, we gain a fuller, more accurate, and more inclusive understanding of our collective past."
- Molly Murphy MacGregor Co-Founder & former Executive Director, NWHA
Call to action:
By integrating women's history into our classrooms, communities, and civic groups, we can ensure that the contributions and achievements of women are recognized and celebrated, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. Use the 2025 National Women's History Alliance hashtag when posting about this topic on social media platforms: #AccelerateAction
Excerpts and quotes above are taken from 2025 National Women's History Alliance Toolkit
OTHER RESOURCES:
WISE Webinars
The Illinois Assistive Technology Program Work Incentive Planning & Assistance (IATP-WIPA) brings you the Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE)...
Are you interested in learning about how work will affect your Social Security disability benefits? The IATP-WIPA program has partnered with the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation (DRS) to host free online WISE webinars. WISE webinars can help you and your family members learn about the Ticket to Work Program and Social Security work incentives. To make WISE webinars more convenient for beneficiaries and their families, they are hosted multiple times a month, both day and evening. Please see the dates, times, and Zoom link below. The link is the same for each meeting date.
The Zoom Link: WISE Zoom Link
Upcoming 2025 Dates:
- March 24 at 6:00 pm
- April 7 at 2:00 pm
- April 30 at 6:00 pm
- May 13 at 10 am
- May 22 at 6:00 pm
RCADD Webinar Series: 7 Considerations of Autism "ASD & The IEP"
Date and time: March 18 from 12-1:15 pm
Description: Learn to advocate for a child with autism by becoming familiar with the state guidelines surrounding autism spectrum disorder and the development of the IEP. This workshop is for parents, caregivers, and family members only.
Register Here: RCADD Webinar *
* The above presentation is in English
See all RCADD Spanish workshops here
See all RCADD English workshops here
BUREAU OF ACCREDITATION, LICENSURE, AND CERTIFICATION (BALC) UPDATE
Please be advised that BALC is in the final stage of updating its scoring tools and will begin to survey all agencies on New Rule beginning the week of April 7, 2025.
FINAL INFORMATION BULLETIN (IB) POSTED:
You may also review all Final Information Bulletins and/or Draft Information Bulletins. Questions on IBs can be directed to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.
The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel.
To request to be added to our email database, or to update your contact and service information, please complete our Contact Survey.
Information provided will help us to better tailor communications to you in the future.
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