IN 10/02/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- DDD Urgent Notification on behalf of DoIT
- Correction shared: Proposed Rules on Sex Education in ICF/DD
- Gov. Pritzker Announces Appointments to the Illinois Autism Data Privacy Advisory Group
- IMPACT Provider Revalidation Reminder
- ACES$ PSW CANTS Requirement Update
- Research Study Opportunity for Guardians
- Aging Individuals with IDD and Aging Caregivers - Survey Opportunity
- Upcoming SODC Transition Fairs
- Training Opportunities
- Other Resources
NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH - OCTOBER 2025
Each October Down Syndrome Awareness Month (DSAM) invites us to reflect, learn, and advocate. Launched in the 1980s by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), it has become a nationwide movement that holds real meaning for many across Illinois.
In our state, individuals with Down syndrome are thriving and leading in every part of community life, from classrooms and workplaces to advocacy spaces and the arts. Their contributions continue to challenge outdated stereotypes and demonstrate the power of belonging.
At the Division of Developmental Disabilities, we are committed to building systems that empower people with Down syndrome to make their own choices and live fulfilling lives. Our work is deeply rooted in honoring dignity, promoting fairness, and protecting the right to opportunity.
When inclusion leads, communities grow stronger. This month and beyond, we invite everyone to move beyond awareness by highlighting talents, recognizing each person's voice, and creating communities grounded in respect and belonging.
DDD URGENT NOTIFICATION ON BEHALF OF DOIT
This is a repeated announcement from 09/26/2025. DDD has been made aware of a payment issue that resulted in negative vouchers being generated Friday (9/19/25) morning for over 200 Providers, going back to 2024. The issue involved the Site ID's and regionality.
DoIT believes that it has now resolved this issue. We are told that related payment rate adjustments are to be reflected in (9/25/25) Remittance Reports and nothing needs to be done by the Providers at this time.
Providers with questions for the Division can send emails to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.
CORRECTION SHARED: PROPOSED RULES ON SEX EDUCATION IN ICF/DD
The DDD Communication dated 9/10/2025 shared a broken web link for the proposed rule amendments on sex education in ICF/DD. The following information has been updated on the DDD website and additional details have also been shared below.
- 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.
- Details about the proposed amendment can be found in the Illinois Register Issue 36 (on page 83).
- 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.
- Written comments on this proposal can be submitted to:
- Department of Public Health
- Attention: Tracey Trigillo, Rules Coordinator
- Lincoln Plaza
- 524 South 2nd Street, 6th Floor
- Springfield, IL 62701
- (217) 782-1159
- dph.rules@illinois.gov
More information on the current sex education rules and guidelines can be found:
GOV. PRITZKER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS AUTISM DATA PRIVACY ADVISORY GROUP
On September 24, 2025, Governor Pritzker announced the appointed members of the IL Autism Data Privacy Advisory Group. The Advisory Group brings together leaders in medicine, law, education, advocacy, and technology to safeguard sensitive data and advance privacy, opportunity, and inclusion for Illinoisans with autism. Leaders will deliver recommendations to safeguard sensitive data and advance privacy protections for people with autism.
Appointed members include:
- Dr. Kruti Acharya - Associate Professor at University of Illinois Chicago.
- Ruth Aguilar - Senior Ligas Family Advocate at The Arc of Illinois.
- Mike Baker - Parent advocate for autism and developmental disability policy.
- Stephanie Brown - President of the Autism Society of Southern Illinois.
- Pat Brown - Deputy General Counsel, Illinois Department of Human Services.
- Will Hrabe - Assistant Legal Counsel, Illinois State Board of Education.
- Kimberly Johnson - Board President, Chicagoland Autism Connection.
- Colin Killick - Executive Director, Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
- Clint Paul - President and CEO, Vision for Hope.
- Dr. Jennifer Seo - Pediatric Medicine Medical Advisor, Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg - Director, Center for Autism Research and Excellence at Boston University.
- Dr. Andy Shih - Chief Science Officer, Autism Speaks.
- Dr. Yang Wang - Professor, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Read the full press release here: The State of Illinois Newsroom
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 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 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 may continue to e-mail DHS.DDDMedProv@illinois.gov following the completion of the revalidation process to notify that modification approval is needed.
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).
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.
RESEARCH STUDY OPPORTUNITY FOR GUARDIANS
Study Title: Updated Genetic Testing for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: The Perspectives of Legal Guardians.
Purpose of Study: The purpose of our study is to survey the legal guardians of adults with ID of unknown genetic etiology to:
- Assess attitudes about performing updated genetic testing as a means of identifying a possible underlying molecular cause of an adult individual's diagnosis of ID;
- Explore the personal meaning of identifying a genetic etiology; and
- Characterize the barriers that have prevented adults with ID from receiving updated genetic testing.
If you are interested in participating, please click this link: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
AGING INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD AND AGING CAREGIVERS - SURVEY OPPORTUNITY
If you are an individual with Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD) who is aging and wants to access aging services, or if you are an aging caregiver, please consider completing this survey to help the IDHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the Department of Aging (DoA) and the IDHS Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) 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.
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:
- Murray Developmental Center
- 10/03/2025
- back-up date 10/10/2025
- Kiley Developmental Center
- 10/08/2025
- back-up date 10/15/2025
- Mabley Developmental Center
- 10/10/2025
- back-up date 10/17/2025
- Choate Developmental & Mental Health Center
- 10/22/2025
- back-up date 10/29/2025
- Fox Developmental Center
- 10/24/2025
- back-up date 11/07/2025
Additional transition resource: Family Transition Project
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
- NDI and ICDD - Become a Financial Wellness Trainer for "Financial Wellness for People with Disabilities." The 3-day training is completely free, includes CEUs for specified titles, and will be hosted 9:00am to 4:00 pm Central Time in person at Blackburn College (Carlinville) October 21-23, 2025, as well as 9:00am to 4:00 pm Central Time in person at Heartland Human Care Services (Chicago) October 28-30,2025.
- DDD - "QIDP Course Coordinator Training" - this is a 2-day course. This training is hosted quarterly for Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDP) Course Coordinator.
- DAY 1 will be hosted virtually October 7, 2025, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Central Time. Register here: QIDP CC Day 1 - WebEx
- DAY 2 will be hosted virtually October 9, 2025, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Central Time. Register here: QIDP CC Day 2 - WebEx
- Division-hosted provider training schedule can be found here: DDD Provider Training
- 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 October 15 and October 16, 2025, training sessions are listed in registration form (link below). All trainings will take place at 11:00 am Central Time.
OTHER RESOURCES
- DSCC - "Special Needs Resource Fair, Fall Festival, and Trunk or Treat" is a sensory-friendly event October 4, 2025, with 50+ special needs organizations present (takes place both indoors and outdoors at Laremont School). Admission is Free! The address is 17934 Gages Lake Road, Gages Lake, IL 60030 and the event is scheduled from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Central Time. Learn more here: Resource Fair Info
- IL ABLE - "Build Your ABLE Life with an IL ABLE Account" is a free virtual webinar scheduled October 7, 2025 at 12:00 noon Central Time. Register here: IL ABLE - Webex
- 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
- TAP/IDHD/LEND - "Neuroaffirming Practice and its Relation to Early Intervention" is a free webinar in a series hosted by The Autism Program of IL, UIC Institute on Disability and Human Development, and Illinois LEND. This presentation will take place October 8, 2025, starting at 12:00 noon Central Time. CEUs available. Learn more and register here: EI Webinar Registration - Zoom
- Access Living - "The State of Emergency Room Care for People with Disabilities" is a free, hybrid presentation (can attend virtually or in person) on October 9, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Central Time. See details here: Access Living flyer. Please use this link to register for virtual attendance: Access Living - Zoom Registration and this link for in-person attendance: Access Living - In-Person Registration
- S.I.B.S. - "Policy Priority Updates for Illinois: What it Means for our Siblings and Others" is a free virtual webinar that will be presented on October 9, 2025 by Angel, a graduate of Partners in Policy Making and The Arc of IL Volunteer of the Year. This discussion will start at 7:00pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: Policy Priority Update - RSVP
- Connect to Community - Friday Forum: "Special Education Law and the IEP as a Legal Document." Part 2 of 3 in the free, virtual Fall Series that aims to empower IEP team members. Session presented at 12:00 noon Central Time on October 10, 2025. Learn more and register here: The Transition Plan - RSVP Link
- TCARE - "Practical Person-Centered Skills for Care Managers" is a free virtual presentation discussing person-centered support. The webinar is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am Central Time on October 10, 2025. Learn more and register here: TCARE Registration
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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