IN 09/04/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- Upcoming SODC Transition Fairs
- Individuals with Developmental Disabilities who are Aging and Aging Caregivers: We Need Your Feedback!
- ACES$ PSW Initial/Re-hire CANTS Requirements
- Immigration Information Hub
- Legal Support Hotlines
- Final IB: CIRAS Manual Revision
- Training Opportunities
- Other Resources
UPCOMING SODC TRANSITION FAIRS
The State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODC) continue to host transition fairs for residents and family/guardians to help educate all regarding options for where individuals might want to receive services. Send an email to DHS.DDD.Transformation@Illinois.gov if you're interested in signing up as a vendor at the SODC transition fairs.
Transition fairs for Fall 2025 are from 9am-12pm Central Time on the dates listed below:
- Ludeman Developmental Center
- Scheduled 09/12/2025
- Back-up date 09/18/2025
- Shapiro Developmental Center
- Scheduled 09/19/2025
- Back-up date 09/26/2025
- Murray Developmental Center
- Scheduled 10/03/2025
- Back-up date 10/10/2025)
- Kiley Developmental Center
- Scheduled 10/08/2025
- Back-up date 10/15/2025
- Mabley Developmental Center
- Scheduled 10/10/2025
- Back-up date 10/17/2025
- Choate Developmental & Mental Health Center
- Scheduled 10/22/2025
- Back-up date 10/29/2025)
- Fox Developmental Center
- Scheduled 10/24/2025
- Back-up date 11/07/2025
Additional transition resource: Family Transition Project | Arc of Illinois Disability Assistance & Programs.
INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO ARE AGING AND AGING CAREGIVERS: WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!
If you are an individual with I/DD who is aging and wants to access aging services or an aging caregiver, please consider completing this survey to help the IDHS Division of Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Aging and the IDHS Division of Rehabilitation Services to make it easier for people to access the services they might need from the Disability and Aging Networks. Below is the survey in English, Spanish, Chinese and Polish. If you need additional translations, please email DHS.DDDComments@Illinois.gov.
If you need additional translations, please email DHS.DDDComments@Illinois.gov.
ACES$ PSW INITIAL/RE-HIRE CANTS REQUIREMENTS
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, under the guidance of Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Bureau of Quality Management (BQM), the following requirements apply to all new and re-hired Personal Support Workers (PSW):
- Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) Results Required Before Start Date: All new and rehired PSWs must have CANTS results on file before their start date.
- 30-Day Rule for Results and Paid Status:
- If the CANTS results are received but more than 30 days passed before the PSW's first day in paid status, the worker will need to re-submit a new CANTS application in the DCFS portal.
- If background checks are received after 30 days from the initial CANTS result, the worker must also re-submit a new CANTS application.
Resubmission in DCFS Portal:
In either case above, the PSW must log into the DCFS portal and submit a new CANTS application before being cleared to work.
To reduce the possibility of CANTS resubmissions:
- Complete fingerprinting promptly. Once the fingerprint form is sent to the PSW, the fingerprinting process should be completed immediately to avoid delays.
- Employers should ensure the PSW's first working day is scheduled within 30 days of receiving worker's start date to stay in compliance.
DDD encourages all Self-Direction Assistance (SDA) agencies to be aware of these changes and assist in educating new and existing home-based customers of this process change for new and re-hired PSWs.
IMMIGRATION INFORMATION HUB
If individuals, providers, or other stakeholders ask about immigration resources or help:
Offer IllinoisImmigrationInfo.org as a resource.
This is a comprehensive website, developed in partnership with the City of Chicago and legal and immigration advocates.
The site was designed to provide up-to-date, reliable immigration-related information to the public. It offers:
- Vital information for families with loved ones in detention
- Plain-language explanations of changes to immigration policy
- Know-Your-Rights information
- Information about how to access free and low-cost immigration legal services
LEGAL SUPPORT HOTLINES
The following are Legal Support Hotlines for Responding to Possible Federal Law Enforcement Deployment in Chicago. This list was developed by community partners.
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Network
- Report ICE sightings and arrests, seek help with immigration & other legal services. Spanish/English, 7am - 9pm Central Time, by phone at 855-435-7693.
- First Defense Legal Aid Help Not Jail Hotline
- Trauma-informed hotline to find civil rights counsel for police misconduct, report federal law enforcement activity, connect to stationhouse defense, & get referrals to community & legal resources. English/Spanish, 24/7/365, by phone at 1-800-LAW-REP4 or 1-800-529-7374.
- Cook County Public Defender's Arrest Hotline
- Free lawyers to represent people in police custody in Chicago or any other city or two in Cook County. 24/7/365, by phone at 844-817-4448.
- National Lawyer's Guild - Chicago
- Free lawyers to represent people arrested during protests or for political activity while in police custody or in court. By phone at 872-4NLG-CHI or 872-465-4244.
- GI Rights Hotline
- Legal support for military members and families. By phone at 877-447-4487.
FINAL INFORMATION BULLETIN POSTED: Critical Incident Reporting Analysis System (CIRAS)
In accordance with the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) must establish safeguards to assure the health and welfare of waiver participants. To align with this requirement, DDD must operate a critical incident reporting and management process.
This Information Bulletin (IB) addresses the requirement of providers and Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agencies' use of the Critical Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) to report critical incidents. The bulletin also reflects a summary of the recent changes reflected in the revised CIRAS manual.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
- OIG - OIG Liaison In-Person Trainings require registration to attend. Space is limited so please register as soon as you are able. The full addresses for the September 18 and September 19, 2025 training sessions are listed in registration form (link below). All trainings will take place at 11:00 am Central Time.
- Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy - "Pain Puzzles: Navigating Relief in IDD and Behavioral Health Settings" is a free webinar presented in recognition of National Pain Awareness Month. This complimentary continuing education webinar for professionals who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM Central Time. Learn more and register here: Pain Puzzles Registration Form - Zoom
- SIU Medicine - "Diabetic Management within the DD Population" is a free webinar that will be presented on September 10, 2025 starting at 12:00 Noon Central Time. The speaker for this virtual presentation is Michael Jakoby, MD. Learn more and register here: SIU Med: Diabetes - WebEx
- DDD - "Background Checks Other Than HCWR" will be hosted virtually September 10, 2025 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am Central Time. This training is hosted quarterly for Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDP), Independent Service Coordination (ISC) Agencies, and Leadership. Register here: Background Checks- Webex
- DDD - "Basic Health and Safety" will be hosted virtually September 15, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am Central Time. This training is hosted quarterly for Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDP), Independent Service Coordination (ISC) Agencies, and Leadership. Register here: Health & Safety - Webex
OTHER RESOURCES
- IL ABLE - "Build Your ABLE Life with an IL ABLE Account: For People with Disabilities, Their Families, and Supporters" is a free virtual webinar hosted by The IL Treasurer and IL ABLE. The webinar will be presented September 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: Build Your ABLE Life - Webex Registration
- IL Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN) - "A Day in the Life: Fieldwork Stories from an ACT Perspective" is a free virtual webinar that will be presented September 9, 2025 starting at 10:00 am Central Time. Continuing Education hours are available for specified titles. Learn more and register here: ICPN: A Day in the Life Zoom Registration
- 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 Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN) - "Shaping Connections: The Power of Storytelling in Person-Centered Care" is a free virtual webinar that will be presented September 10, 2025 starting at 9:30 am Central Time. Continuing Education hours are available for specified titles. Learn more and register here: ICPN: Shaping Connections Zoom Registration
- Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD) - "Hospice & Palliative Care for Individuals with DD" will be presented virtually starting at 10:00 am Central Time on September 11, 2025. This free webinar is designed for healthcare providers, family members, direct support professionals, advocates, and anyone involved in the care and support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Learn more and register here: Hospice and Palliative Care - Event Info
- Epilepsy Foundation (Southern IL) - "Dental Care and Epilepsy" 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 September 16, 2025 at the EFGSI Event Hall in Belleville, starting at 11:00 am Central Time. Please register before September 10, 2025 by emailing Janee Baldwin or calling 618-236-2181 ext 116. Learn more here: September 2025 Dental Care.pdf
- Sen. Seth Lewis, Rep. Amy Grant, and Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro - "Disabilities Resource & Job Placement Expo" is scheduled for Thursday September 18, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Central Time. This free community event will provide valuable resources, services, and connections for individuals with disabilities and their families. This fair will also include resources and information about businesses that are hiring. Learn more and register to attend here: Disability Resource & Job Placement Expo - Senator Lewis
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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