IN 08/06/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- IARF: 50 Years of Education & Advocacy
- External Stakeholder OBBBA Briefing
- De-escalation Training Requirements
- IMPACT Provider Revalidation
- Training Opportunities
- Other Resources
CELEBRATING IARF: 50 YEARS OF EDUCATION & ADVOCACY
Join DDD in congratulating the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) on its 50 years of advocacy and education in 2025. For the past five decades, IARF's advocacy has elevated the Developmental Disability (DD) service provider voice and experience and has resulted in the passage of significant legislation that has increased quality, innovation and investments in DD services and supports. You can look ahead to the 50th annual IARF Educational Conference & Expo held August 27-29th in Bloomington-Normal. The conference will reflect on IARF's history, look at the progress that has been made since the organization formed, and speak to the future of IARF. Learn more and register to attend here: IARF Registration Link
EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDER OBBBA BRIEFING - RECORDING AVAILABLE
On August 1, 2025, IDHS Secretary Dulce Quintero and HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn provided an overview of the legislation's key health and human services (HHS) provisions. The briefing was followed by a Q&A session facilitated by First Assistant Deputy Governor Ryan Croke.
DE-ESCALATION TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
All providers are able to seek reimbursement for de-escalation training. Please follow the instructions included in this information bulletin (IB): IDHS: De-Escalation Training Reimbursement. Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) aims to have every qualified agency sign up for reimbursement. Please reach out to DHS.ClinicalServices@illinois.gov to seek prior approval.
Current de-scalation training requirements and reimbursements:
- Train the trainer class with a reimbursement of $2,200 per trainer
- Renewing the trainer with a reimbursement of $800 per trainer
- 8 hours of training for frontline staff with a reimbursement of $275 per staff
- 5 hours of continuing education for renewing/retraining of frontline staff with a reimbursement of $175 per staff
Training Reimbursement forms:
The above forms may need to be downloaded to your computer and then opened with a PDF reader such as Adobe. To download: click the floppy disc and choose where the document will be saved on your computer. Navigate to the location of the saved document and open with the PDF reader. If the document opens in your internet browser, you will need to right click on the document and force open in your PDF reader.
IMPACT PROVIDER REVALIDATION REMINDER
In accordance with Federal Regulation 42 CFR 455.414, all Medicaid providers are required to periodically revalidate their enrollment information. DDD IMPACT Provider revalidations are on-going and expected to continue for the majority of providers through December 2025. Providers requiring revalidation will receive automated e-mail notifications to the e-mail on file in IMPACT prior to the assigned due date. It is the provider's responsibility to maintain up-to date contact information within the IMPACT system in order to receive these e-mails. DDD Providers are encouraged to check their revalidation window and take pro-active measures to ensure that revalidations are submitted prior to the assigned due date. Providers may continue to e-mail DHS.DDDMedProv@illinois.gov following the completion of the revalidation process for expedited modification approval.
Failing to revalidate by the assigned date will result in termination from the IMPACT system causing suspension of payments for the provider. Retroactive Medicaid payments are not being authorized by Healthcare Family Services (HFS) for provider's who fail to revalidate.
Revalidation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and instructions can be found here: Provider Revalidation
HFS is holding monthly town halls on this topic: Revalidation Town Halls (2025)
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
DDD: Meaningful Choice Training. All QIDP's/ISC's/Leadership are encouraged to attend this virtual training presentation (hosted quarterly) on August 13, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Central Time. Register here: Provider Leadership Webex
Family Matters PTIC: Back-to-School Success for Students with Disabilities; a virtual in-depth training designed for parents, professionals, and students to prepare for a confident and supported school transition. The session takes place August 13, 2025 starting at 10:00 am Central Time. Register here: FM PTIC Registration - Zoom
Illinois Respite Coalition (IRC): Comprehensive, self-paced, online respite training program. This no-cost training is designed to support individuals who provide temporary relief to primary caregivers of individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or other special needs. It is ideal for both new and experienced respite providers-including family members, volunteers, and direct support professionals. Learn more here: IRC Respite Training Program
OIG: First announcement for OIG Liaison In-Person Trainings. Registration is required to attend the OIG Liaison In-Person Training. Space is limited so please register as soon as you are able! The full address for each session is listed in registration form (link below). All trainings will take place at 11:00 am Central Time and expected end time is 1:00 pm Central Time.
Training sessions are:
- September 18 at ISU Alumni Center (Normal)
- September 19 at IDOT Hanley Building (Springfield)
- October 15 at IDOT District One (Schaumburg)
- October 16 at IDHS (Chicago)
- November 13 at CMS (Collinsville)
- November 14 at John A. Logan College (Carterville)
Register here: OIG Liaison In-Person Training Registration. If you have questions about the OIG Liaison training, please email DHS.OIG.Training.Bureau@illinois.gov.
- Please note that the OIG Liaison In-Person Training is open to existing OIG Liaisons (who may or may not need to renew their 50.30(f) certificates) and employees sent by agencies to become new OIG Liaisons.
- To be an OIG Liaison, the employee must have a 50.30(f) certificate. Attendees who need an updated certificate or first-time certificate will receive a 50.30(f) certificate after the OIG Liaison In-Person Training by completing a 50.30(f) Registration Form (this will be emailed after registering for the OIG Liaison In-Person training), meeting the requirements for obtaining a certificate, and passing a test, which will be emailed to the attendee after the training.
OTHER RESOURCES
The Arc of IL - Family Advocate Program: Know Your Options. This event is offered virtually twice a month in English and once in Spanish. Learn more and register here: KYO English // KYO Spanish
IL Life Span (ILS) Program and Family to Family (F2F) Health Information Center - Special Education Eligibility and Evaluation webinar is a free virtual presentation hosted on August 12, 2025 and begins as 12:00 noon Central Time. Learn more and register here: Special Education Webinar
Aging Services Inclusive of Asian American Networks (ASIAAN) - Housing Webinar with expert presenters on accessible housing for aging adults. This free virtual presentation will start at 12:00 noon Central Time on August 13, 2025. Learn more and register here: ASIAAN Zoom
EP!C - Path to Transitions is an in-person presentation on August 13, 2025 at 4:00 pm Central Time. This event will inform participants on Guardianship in IL and Self-Direction Assistance. The IGAC joins EP!C and they invite individuals, caregivers, & professionals to attend the discussion. Register here: Path to Transitions - EP!C
Illinois ABLE - In observance of Illinois ABLE Savings Day, "Build Your ABLE Life with an IL ABLE Account" will be presented virtually on August 14, 2025 at 12 noon Central Time. Learn more and register for this webinar here: Illinois ABLE registration - Webex
Epilepsy Foundation (Southern IL) - Narcan Training event is free of charge and open to individuals with epilepsy and their families living in Southern Illinois (the lower 34 counties). This in-person event will take place August 19, 2025 at the EFGSI Event Hall in Belleville, starting at 11:00 am Central Time. Please register before August 13, 2025 by emailing Janee Baldwin or calling 618-236-2181 ext 116. Learn more here: August 2025 Narcan Training.pdf
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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