IN 03/20/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- Draft Information Bulletin Posted
- Draft Information Bulletin Rescinded
- DSP Online Training Management System RFP is Live!
- NOFO Application Closing Date Reminder
- NOFO Budgets
- NOFO Q&A
- EVV Manual Update
- EVV Training for SDAs and HBS Families
- World Down Syndrome Day
- Other Resources: Midwest Sibs, WISE Webinars
DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETIN (IB) POSTED:
Please submit comments on the above DRAFT IBs by email to DHS.DDDComments@Illinois.gov on or before April 3rd. Please include Stabilization Homes DRAFT IB in your email subject line when providing comments. For a list of all current Draft IBs, click here: IDHS: DDD Draft Information Bulletins.
DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETIN RESCINDED
The draft Information Bulletin (IB) regarding Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) for Rule 116 is being rescinded. Thank you for all of the feedback regarding the CBTA process. The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) will be reevaluating the current process and considering a revised draft IB. For a list of all current Draft IBs, click here: IDHS: DDD Draft Information Bulletins.
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 Kathleen.Michals@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 BUDGETS
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Office of Contract Administration (OCA) has advised the FY26 Indirect Cost Rate of the 15% DeMinimis is not currently accessible in the Community Service Agreement (CSA) system. Budgets already entered in CSA will not have the updated DeMinimis for NOFO applications or current FY26 grant funding. When the rate is corrected in CSA, awarded applicants and current grantees will be advised to update their entered budget, in CSA.
This change does not affect the NOFO application process. Please be sure that the funding amount listed on your application reflects the appropriate total annual funding request and your PDF budget for the application matches this data. We are fully aware of the issues in CSA that may cause the CSA budget to reflect a different number with the updated DeMinimis.
NOFO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Q&A)
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.
EVV MANUAL UPDATE
The EVV Manual has been updated and the changes will be available on our public facing website soon. The current EVV Manual can be found here IDHS: Electronic Visit Verification Program Manual. Confirmation of posting and an updated link will be included in the next DDD Communication. Updates include clarification of definitions, compliance expectations, EVV exception outreach for individually hired PSWs, and updated program billing codes for EVV Agency Providers. DDD is anticipating training and EVV manual review opportunities via webinar (in collaboration with ACCES$) for self-directed families and individually hired PSWs. These opportunities will be posted in future DDD Communications. Provider Agencies who are currently utilizing EVV and other entities working with EVV required providers may contact DDD directly to ask questions or schedule individualized review of the updated document.
Questions and inquiries can be directed to the dedicated EVV inbox: DHS.DDDEVV@illinois.gov
EVV TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF DIRECTED ASSISTANTS AND HBS FAMILIES
ACES$ will be offering online training opportunities regarding Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements for Personal Support Workers (PSW), Self-Directed Assistance Providers (SDA), and Self-Directed families. Other providers who are closely affiliated with EVV usage and requirements are also welcome to attend. The next live webinar training is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd at 1:00-2:00pm.
- Registration can be found here: EVV Training Registration
- DDD strongly encourages participation and attendance for those using EVV.
WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY - MARCH 21, 2025
World Down Syndrome Day is recognized annually on March 21st. The date being the 21st day of the 3rd month was specifically chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. This is a global awareness day officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. Around 1 in every 800 babies will be born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome occurs naturally - there is no known cause.
"Chromosomes R Us" is a short film explaining how Down syndrome (or Trisomy 21) occurs.
Call to action:
A direct quote, and special request, from the World Down Syndrome Day website, "For World Down Syndrome Day 2025, we call on all Governments to Improve Our Support Systems. This is the message that we are asking supporters to share on and around World Down Syndrome Day, 21 March 2025." You can share this message through social media outreach by using #ImproveOurSupportSystems in 2025.
Information sources: About WDSD and What is Down syndrome?
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Midwest Sib Connection: Countdown to National Sibling Day (April 10, 2025). View all events in the countdown here: Events | S.I.B.S Network.
- Sibling Self-Care and Stress Management
- Join WisconSibs for an essential discussion on a topic at the heart of the sibling experience-self-care! Emily will share practical tools to help you prioritize self-care and manage stress in your daily life. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your well-being!
- Monday, March 24 at 6:30 pm Central Time
- Register here: Sib Connection Zoom Link
- 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
The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel.
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