Request for Applications for Stabilization Homes: Questions and Answers

Request for Applications (RFA) for Stabilization Homes (SH): Questions and Answers (Q&A).

Question: Will the forensic population be part of the group of people that will be prioritized for these homes?
1. Answer: No
Question: Is there an expectation or plan for those individuals who are not successful after two years in long-term SH?
1. Answer: The expectation is that they transition into a community placement.
Question: What are the expectations or plans for housemates who are not getting along?
1. Answer: Ideally the SH would teach coping skills or there could be internal moves if individuals did not get along.
Question: Regarding "service deserts": Is a service desert defined solely as an area without stabilization homes, or are there additional criteria we should consider? Have specific service desert locations been identified? If so, where are these locations?
1. Answer: Service deserts are areas without a stabilization home. There are currently stabilization homes in Springfield and the south suburbs of Chicago. The service desert is any other area in the state.
Question: How should a provider prioritize location in their overall plan? The RFA indicates that "sites in areas of the state that do not currently have an SH will potentially be scored higher." Could you provide clarification on this?
1. Answer: There are currently stabilization homes in Springfield and the south suburbs of Chicago. The service desert is any other are in the state. Homes in areas outside of the south Chicagoland suburbs and Springfield could potentially be scored higher.
Question: Does the state have a preferred region (north, south, etc.) for the placement of stabilization homes?
1. Answer: There are currently stabilization homes in Springfield and the south suburbs of Chicago. Homes in areas outside of the south Chicagoland suburbs and Springfield could potentially be scored higher
Question: Does an organization need to have staff already hired when they submit the application? Or is it understood that the organization will use that 6-month window from when they sign the contract to have the home licensed to have staff in place?
1. Answer: The organization can use the 6-month window from when they sign the contract to prepare the home for operations. Please note that ability to serve individuals quickly is a scored item (F.3.15).
Question: What is the state's definition of ADA-complaint? Specifically which aspects of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design will be considered to determine accessibility?
1. Answer: The intention is that someone who was in a wheelchair or needed a mobility device would be able to receive services in at least one of the SH homes. Additional guidance can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/07/23/04-16025/americans-with-disabilities-act-ada-accessibility-guidelines-for-buildings-and-facilities
Question: Are we going to be able to bill for CDS services (31U/31C) for the individuals in this program?
1. Answer: No, this cost is built into the rate.
Question: Are we going to be able to bill Medicaid for MH services in addition to any MH services that we provide as part of the grant?
1. Answer: You are able to bill insurance for mental health services. That being said, there should be no delay in services due to lack of access to mental health care providers or lack of insurance.
Question: Is the Division looking to have just short-term stabilization homes in a new geography, or all stabilization homes (LSH and SSH) in new geographies?
1. Answer: DDD is looking to have all stabilization homes in new geographies.
Question: Do we have to open all homes at the same time (e.g. Jan 1) or can we open them on rolling a rolling basis as a pipeline (e.g. home 1, Jan 1; home 2, Feb 1 as we get new referrals, home 3, March 1, etc.)?
1. Answer: They can be opened on a rolling basis.
Question: Is there a set of formatting rules for this RFA pertaining to page length, font size, etc?
1. Answer: No
Question: Similarly, for the submission of supporting materials, does the department have a preference for them being submitted all as separate attachments or as a single packet?
1. Answer: A single packet is preferrable, but this is at discretion of the applying entity. The only concern from DHS side is we want to ensure that all attachments are received appropriately. As such, please be mindful of file size/quantity of files. If multiple emails are sent, please send a follow-up email stating how many emails were sent to ensure everything is received properly.
Question: Will the annual reimbursement rate change year over year to reflect increases in DSP/other staff pay?
1. Answer: Yes, historically, rate increases have been passed onto the stabilization homes.
Question: For further clarification, DDD is not looking for any short-term or long-term homes in the Chicago area or in Springfield, correct?
1. Answer: The location of the home may impact the score of the question that speaks to location. We are not denying awards strictly based on location. The current homes are in Cook County/Suburban Access ISC (Flossmoor, Park Forest, and Olympia Fields), Menard County/CISA ISC (Athens) Sangamon County/CISA ISC (Dawson) and Morgan County/CISA ISC (Jacksonville). DDD is interested in having SH sites in a multitude of counties and/or ISC regions.
Question: We understand that the state will not be prioritizing homes in Springfield and the South Suburbs of Chicago. Would Worth, IL be considered the South Suburbs or would it be considered a new geography?
1. Answer: Worth is in Cook County and is currently served by Suburban Access ISC. The current homes are in Cook County/Suburban Access ISC (Flossmoor, Park Forest, and Olympia Fields), Menard County/CISA ISC (Athens) Sangamon County/CISA ISC (Dawson) and Morgan County/CISA ISC (Jacksonville). DDD is interested in having SH sites in a multitude of counties and/or ISC regions. Worth, based on proximity to the other homes, being in Cook County and being served by an ISC that already has SH sites may score lower on geographic diversity. That being said, it would not be excluded from the process.
Question: Would Joliet/Plainfield be considered South Suburbs or would it be considered a new geography?
1. Answer: That would be considered a new geography as we currently do not have an SH site in Will or Kendall County. We also do not have a current SH site in the Service Inc. (Area F) ISC region. The current homes are in Cook County/Suburban Access ISC (Flossmoor, Park Forest, and Olympia Fields), Menard County/CISA ISC (Athens) Sangamon County/CISA ISC (Dawson) and Morgan County/CISA ISC (Jacksonville). DDD is interested in having SH sites in a multitude of counties and/or ISC regions.
Question: Would DuPage county be considered as a new geography?
1. Answer: That would be considered a new geography. The current homes are in Cook County/Suburban Access ISC (Flossmoor, Park Forest, and Olympia Fields), Menard County/CISA ISC (Athens) Sangamon County/CISA ISC (Dawson) and Morgan County/CISA ISC (Jacksonville). DDD is interested in having SH sites in a multitude of counties and/or ISC regions.
Question: Can the state provide any additional guidance on the prioritization process of geographic location? Would a home in Park Forest where there are already SSH homes automatically be excluded?
1. Answer: It would not be excluded. While there are already homes in that location, there is also a high need in the Chicago metro area. The current homes are in Cook County/Suburban Access ISC (Flossmoor, Park Forest, and Olympia Fields), Menard County/CISA ISC (Athens) Sangamon County/CISA ISC (Dawson) and Morgan County/CISA ISC (Jacksonville). DDD is interested in having SH sites in a multitude of counties and/or ISC regions.
Question: Wondering if you have the Request for Application Response Form in a sharable pdf format?
1. Answer: DHS does not have this in a fillable pdf format. I would encourage applicants to copy and paste the info from the web into a Word document and complete from there. It may be saved as a pdf before submission.
Question: Will the documentation for this program be required through Therap just like the initial SSH programs? If so, is Therap only required for SSH or also for LSH?
1. Answer: No, this program no longer prescribes a specific electronic record keeping system.
Question: Would areas in Cook County served by other ISC agencies (not Suburban Access, CSO or CSU, for example) be considered a new geography?
1. Answer: Yes this would be considered new geography.
Question: I am reaching out because in compiling our RFA response and attachment packet, I am realizing that the number of required documents is creating a very large packet for submission. I am concerned about technology issues like email kickbacks from transmitting such a large PDF. Do you have an alternate method of submission like a drop box or something similar?
Answer: There is not a drop box. If there are several items, sending in multiple emails would be appropriate. Submitting as a zip file (or zip files) may also help allow items to get through. Also, I would encourage you not wait until the due date, only because technical issues are always a possibility.
Question: When we are submitting our RFP for the Stabilization Homes, can we send a link to a folder with various documents in it or does it need to be one file?
1. Answer: The submission may be as one document, or as a file/zip file. Multiple emails are also appropriate, so long as the full application/attachments are received by DHS.
Question: As we are finalizing our applications we wanted some clarity in relation to documentation needed to answer # 1 below. Are we ok to only submit the plan of correction for the auditing entity, signature sheet, as well as the approval of the plan of correction for the last 2 years for each auditing entity listed (BQM,BALC, BCS)? Or do we need to submit the completed surveys, the plan of correction, signature sheet, and approval letter? The plans of correction list what was found in the survey tools so it seems redundant to submit both and it is also contributing to a few hundred pages of our submission.
1. 1. Applicant must attach documentation of successful completion of compliance for the last 2 fiscal years for the following surveys -
    1. Bureau of Clinical Services (BCS)
    2. Bureau of Quality Management (BQM)
    3. Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure and Certification (BALC)
    4. Corrective action plans for all surveys
2. Answer: You are okay to only submit the plan of correction
Question: We are ready to submit our RFA for the Stabilization Homes but are unsure what this is: Request for Application Response Form included as attachment to RFA publication
1. Answer: Please see link: Stabilization Home Desirable Elements Responses

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