IN 04/02/2025 COMMUNICATION:
DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETINS (IB) POSTED:
- Individuals Have the Right to Privacy in Their Sleeping and Living Unit in Waiver-Funded Settings Information Bulletin
- Please review this DRAFT IB here: IDHS: DRAFT - Individuals Have the Right to Privacy in Their Sleeping and Living Unit in Waiver-Funded Settings Information Bulletin
- Individuals Have the Freedom and Support to Control Their Own Schedules and Activities in Waiver-Funded Settings Information Bulletin
- Please review this DRAFT IB here: IDHS: DRAFT - Individuals Have the Freedom and Support to Control Their Own Schedules and Activities in Waiver-Funded Settings Information Bulletin
- HCBS Settings Rule: Modifications
- Please review this DRAFT IB here: IDHS: DRAFT - HCBS Settings Rule: Modifications
Please submit comments on any of the above DRAFT IBs by email to DHS.DDDComments@Illinois.gov on or before April 11th. Please include the name of the DRAFT IB in your email subject line when providing comments.
For a list of all Draft IBs, click here: IDHS: DDD Draft Information Bulletins.
Return to Top
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 DD DSP Training Software RFP via BidBuy.
For more information, please visit: State of Illinois - General Services - Bid Solicitation. Questions can be sent to Kathleen.Michals@illinois.gov.
Return to Top
NOFO APPLICATION CLOSING DATE REMINDER - this Friday!
This a friendly reminder that DDD posted 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.
Return to Top
NOFO BUDGETS
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.
Return to Top
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.
Return to Top
EVV MANUAL UPDATE
The Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Manual has been updated and is now available on our public facing website: IDHS: Electronic Visit Verification Program Manual. Updates include, but are not limited to, the clarification of definitions, compliance expectations, EVV exception outreach for individually hired Personal Support Workers (PSW), and updated program billing codes for EVV Agency Providers. The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is anticipating training and EVV manual review opportunities via webinar (in collaboration with ACCES$) for self-directed families and individually hired PSWs. These opportunities will be posted in future DDD Communications. Provider Agencies who are currently utilizing EVV and other entities working with EVV required providers may contact DDD directly to ask questions or schedule individualized review of the updated document. Questions and inquiries can be directed to the dedicated EVV inbox: DHS.DDDEVV@illinois.gov.
Return to Top
EVV TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF DIRECTED ASSISTANTS AND HBS FAMILIES
ACES$ will be offering online training opportunities regarding Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements for Personal Support Workers (PSW), Self-Directed Assistance Providers (SDA), and Home-Based (HBS) Self-Directed families. The next live webinar training is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd at 1:00-2:00pm.
Registration can be found here: Registration
DDD would like to encourage SDA Providers to attend these webinar trainings and/or review previously recorded trainings.
Return to Top
RN TRAINER MAILING LIST
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) appreciates that Registered Nurse (RN) Trainer specific information might be difficult to identify in the general DDD Communications. DDD has created an RN Trainer mailing list to ensure that information that is pertinent to RN Trainers can be emailed to them in a nursing-focused communication. When applicable, information may be taken from the General DDD Communications and distributed to the RN Trainer emailing list. RN Trainers should sign-up here: IDHS: Nurse-Trainer Mailing List.
Return to Top
FY25 DDD SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM REVALIDATION; 2ND NOTICE
Since Fiscal Year 22 (FY22), the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has conducted an annual Revalidation of all active authorizations for the DDD Supported Employment Program (SEP).
Active authorizations are those that were Revalidated in FY24 and any New/Initial DDD SEP authorizations approved from 7/1/24 through 3/31/25.
New/Initial authorizations approved on or after 4/1/25 are not subject to FY25 Revalidation and will carry over to FY26.
FY25 DDD SEP Revalidation will occur from April 1st, 2025, through end of business May 2nd, 2025.
Guidelines can be found on the DDD Employment webpage.
Direct Link to FY25 DDD SEP Revalidation Guidelines
Return to Top
RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF THE LONGEST 504 SIT-IN IN HISTORY!
What is the Longest 504 sit-in?
The 504 Sit-In holds the record for the longest non-violent occupation of a federal building in the United States history: 26 days.
The protest began with hundreds of people arriving in various federal offices for health, education, and welfare (HEW) across the United States on April 5, 1977.
At the time of the protest, Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (based on 1964 Civil Rights Act) integration laws were not yet enforced nationwide. This protest demanded more specific language, guidance, and regulations to integrate the disabled community into all industries - their rights as citizens of the United States of America to live without being discriminated against.
Read more about the protest here: Longest 504 Sit-In
Call to action:
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the right to be treated fairly, and to live a life without discrimination. It took a lot of determination and concerted efforts to get the language in this law changed and enforced, but would never have been possible without the contributions of self-advocates pressing for change. Self-advocates must have a meaningful role in decision-making - this refers to all areas of their daily lives and in public policy decisions that affect people with I/DD. We must continue to pursue inclusivity for all.
Return to Top
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:
- April 7 at 2:00 pm
- April 30 at 6:00 pm
- May 13 at 10 am
- May 22 at 6:00 pm
Midwest Sib Connection: Countdown to National Sibling Day (April 10, 2025).
View all events in the countdown here: Events | S.I.B.S Network.
YoungSib Connect: Adult Q&A Panel
This event is designed for young siblings of individuals with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities. Join sibs from the Missouri Sibling Leadership Network and other siblings as they host a special adult sibling panel for young siblings ages 8-14. This is your chance to ask any and all questions! Topics may include sibling rivalry & resentment, the importance of patience, addressing our feelings, and advocacy.
National Siblings Day: National Sibling Day Celebration!
The Midwest Sib Connection is thrilled to host our inaugural celebration for National Sibling Day! Let's celebrate our unique sibling experience and enjoy a fun, social event you won't want to miss!
Hear from two national support groups - Siblings with a Mission and the Sibling Leadership Network - before we break out into state-specific sessions for local updates. S.I.B.S. (Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters) will host a breakout session during this event. Join us to learn more about IL SIBS and how you can get involved! For more information, visit www.sibsnetwork.org.
April is Financial Literacy Month in Illinois!
The Treasurer's Office team wants to make sure teachers, children, young adults, parents, and seniors are aware of a wide variety of free financial education resources available. Visit the Financial Literacy Month page to learn more.
This page includes financial education resources and activities for students at all grade levels, including elementary, high school, and college students. Young professionals, parents, people with disabilities and senior citizens can also benefit from these tools.
- Money Management with Access Living
- Access Living's money management classes, also known as their Financial Literacy Workshops, are geared toward people with disabilities who want to improve their credit, learn to budget, save for the future, and increase employment and home-ownership opportunities.
Return to Top
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.
Return to DDD Home Page
Return to DDD Communication
Return to Top
