IN 09/10/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- Healthy Aging Month - September 2025
- IMPACT Provider Revalidation Reminder
- ACES$ CANTS Process Update
- HFS Public Notices and Request for Comment
- Upcoming SODC Transition Fairs
- JCAR Proposed Rules on Sex Education in ICF/DD
- Survey Opportunity
- Training Opportunities
- Other Resources
HEALTHY AGING MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2025
As we celebrate Healthy Aging Month this September, the Division of Developmental Disabilities honors the strength, resilience, and wisdom that come with growing older. This is a time to reflect on the importance of well-being at every stage of life and to recognize the unique journeys of those we serve. We are grateful for your continued partnership in supporting individuals to live vibrant, fulfilling lives as they age. Together, we can continue building communities where everyone is empowered to thrive.
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.
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.
HFS PUBLIC NOTICE AND REQUEST FOR COMMENT
Public Comment Notices - Home and Community Based Services Waiver 09/04/2025.
Links to the notices are below. Links include information about submitting comments.
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.
JCAR PROPOSED RULES ON SEX EDUCATION IN ICF/DD
In the Illinois Register Issue 36 (on page 83; link corrected 9/25/25), the Illinois Department of Public Health is proposing new Administrative rules for Intermediate Care Facilities for Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD) on implementation of sex education.
This rulemaking implements Section 4-211 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, which requires facilities to provide access to sex education, related resources, and treatment planning that supports the residents right to sexual health and healthy sexual practices and to be free from sexual exploitation and abuse.
SURVEY OPPORTUNITY
Researchers in the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Home and Community-Based Services at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are looking for people who receive Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to pilot test surveys designed to evaluate the person-centeredness of their services.
- Participants will undergo a brief screening and consent call (Zoom or phone, unpaid) and will complete two or more 10-minute surveys on different aspects of their HCBS (online, via Zoom with a research assistant, or via phone) and will receive a $30 gift card for each completed survey.
- Participants will complete the same surveys 2 to 9 months later for $40 per completed survey. Participants can complete up to 6 surveys for a total of $200.
- To see if you are eligible for the study, take this quick screener: https://redcap.link/hcbsquality
- For more information email hcbs-rrtc@sralab.org.
This research is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (IRB#: STU00214517).
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:
- ANCOR - "Optimizing HCBS and Health Care Spending for People with I/DD in a Time of Medicaid Cuts" is a free virtual webinar that will begin at 1:00 pm Central Time on September 16, 2025. Learn more and register here: ANCOR Registration
- IL ABLE - "Essential Webinar for Disability Service Providers: Opening and Managing IL ABLE Accounts for the Individuals You Serve" is a free virtual webinar hosted by The IL Treasurer and IL ABLE. The webinar will be presented September 16, 2025 at 12:00 noon Central Time. Learn more and register here: Opening and Managing IL ABLE Accounts - 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
- DDD - "Monthly Report Training" will be hosted virtually September 17, 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: Monthly Report - Webex
- Division-hosted provider training schedule can be found here: DDD Provider Training
- IDHS Grants Training - "Grant Payment Methods" is free and virtually hosted through WebEx on September 18, 2025. The meeting will begin at 2:30 pm Central Time. Register here: Grantee WebEx
OTHER RESOURCES
- Family Matters PTIC and The Arc of IL - "From Dinner to Direction: Filling Your Transition Plate" is a free virtual presentation offered on September 17, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm Central Time. This interactive session is perfect for families, educators, and anyone involved in supporting transition-age youth with disabilities. Registration is required, register here: From D2D Registration - Zoom
- SIU Medicine Office of Correctional Medicine - Grand Rounds "The Ins and Outs of Advanced Directives: Legal and Medical Perspectives" is a free virtual webinar that will be presented via WebEx on September 16, 2025 starting at 12:00 pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: SIU Med - WebEx Event Info
- Access Living & ICDD - "Knowledge is Power (KIP)" is a virtual webinar every 3 weeks about many different topics. Next session is September 17, 2025 starting at 2:30 pm until 4:00 pm Central Time. Visit the Access Living website or the IL Council on Developmental Disabilities Facebook Page to learn more. Register here: KIP Zoom Registration
- UIC & RCADD - "7 Considerations of Autism: ASD and the IEP" is a free virtual presentation offered on September 17, 2025 at 12:00pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: ASD and the IEP Zoom
- Respite Services - Respite services are planned or unplanned care for a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver of that child or adult. Respite services provide relief and reduce the stress of the regular caregiver of an individual with I/DD and help to maintain the individual in their home and reduce the need for long-term services and supports. IDHS funds many providers throughout Illinois who offer respite services. Learn more here: Respite Services
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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