IN 10/09/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- DHS Notice Regarding Federal Shutdown
- World Inclusion Day - 10/10/25
- Bridging Aging and Disabilities: Survey for Organizations in the Aging and DD Networks
- DDD Urgent Notification on Behalf of DoIT
- Upcoming SODC Transition Fairs
- Training Opportunities
- Other Resources
DHS NOTICE REGARDING FEDERAL SHUTDOWN
The federal shutdown will not impact October benefits for current IDHS customers. This includes but is not limited to SNAP, CCAP, WIC, Medicaid, Early Intervention, and TANF cash benefit customers. Regularly scheduled benefits will continue to be issued, and our offices will remain open and ready to assist you. IDHS is monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates on our website.
The federal shutdown will not impact current IDHS providers during October 2025. DDD asks providers to continue to provide services and operate as usual. While we anticipate there may be some potential delays, due to federal employees being furloughed while the federal shutdown is pending, regularly scheduled payments will continue to be issued at this time. If you have specific questions about your grant funded program, please contact your grant manager.
Additional Resources:
- Illinois Immigration Information Hub - This a trusted, easy-to-use site, led by legal and immigration advocates, in partnership with IDHS and the City of Chicago, where you can find legal help, get support in a crisis, and learn your rights. Whether you're new to Illinois or just looking for answers, this site is here for you and your loved ones. Visit the Illinois Immigration Hub: IllinoisImmigrationInfo.org.
- SNAP Federal Impact Center - IDHS is deeply concerned by the recent passage of the Trump Administration's sweeping budget bill and its impact on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At this time, customers should continue applying and managing their cases as normal. For the most recent updates click here: SNAP Federal Impact Center.
WORLD INCLUSION DAY - OCTOBER 10, 2025
Join us in recognizing World Inclusion Day on October 10, 2025. While inclusion always matters, this day offers a meaningful opportunity to pause and reflect on the importance of belonging and connection. At the Division of Developmental Disabilities, we're proud to be part of a community that values each person's presence, voice, and contribution. Thank you for the role you play in making inclusion something we experience together. Learn more here: World Inclusion Day Home Page
BRIDGING AGING AND DISABILITIES: SURVEY FOR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE AGING AND DD NETWORKS
Thank you to those ISC Agencies and providers who have already completed the survey on access to services while aging. Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is asking for feedback from more providers and ISC Agencies before proceeding to develop trainings and resources to be used by developmental disability and aging service providers to help support individuals with I/DD and caregivers who are aging. This is a multi-agency effort to improve the experiences of and supports for aging caregivers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are aging.
In partnership with Department on Aging (DoA), Division of Rehabilitation (DRS), IL Council on developmental Disabilities (ICDD), University of IL Chicago (UIC), and the community Statewide Advisory Team (SAT), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is attempting to gather input on current service options. It takes honest and thorough feedback from our stakeholders to fully understand the gaps in connecting individuals with I/DD and aging caregivers with needed services.
Please complete this brief survey and share your experience, knowledge, and interest in making sure there is no wrong door to connect with aging and I/DD services.
DDD URGENT NOTIFICATION ON BEHALF OF DOIT
This is a repeated announcement from 09/26/2025 and 10/02/2025. 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.
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:
- 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:
- The Institute - "Behavioral Health Clinic Training" is a free in person training (1st of 3 sessions offered) in Tinley Park on November 5, 2025, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Central Time. The training registration is limited to 2 people per organization. Please use this link to register: BHC Training - Registration. Please contact Rebecca Clark if you have further questions about the training.
- IDHS OCA - "Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) CFR Web Application Manual Overview" is a free webinar for CEO, CFO, and/or accounting staff in your agency. This training provides a comprehensive review of the FY25 Year-End Consolidated Financial Reporting (CFR) requirements and the ISBE CFR manual.
- The overview presentation will take place virtually October 15, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Central Time. Send an email to Gary Beckman by October 13, 2025, to register for this training date.
- Next week a manual hands-on demonstration of data entry in the ISBE CFR Web Application will be presented from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Central Time on October 22, 2025. Send an email to Gary Beckman by October 20, 2025, to register for this training date.
- 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 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time in person at Blackburn College (Carlinville) October 21-23, 2025, as well as 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time in person at Heartland Human Care Services (Chicago) October 28-30, 2025.
OTHER RESOURCES:
- 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
- Disability Partners - "Introduction to the IDD System Redesign Coalition" is a webinar introducing the IDD System Redesign Coalition. The Coalition members will provide in-depth information about mission, history, and plans for the coming year. This free introductory webinar will begin at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Register here: Disability Partners Webinar Registration - Zoom
- ILS & F2F - "Living with Epilepsy" is a free virtual presentation by speaker Alex Houston on October 14, 2025. The focus is understanding epilepsy to build your community. Webinar begins at 12:00 noon Central Time. Learn more and register here: Living with Epilepsy Zoom
- DSC & Thrivent Financial East Central IL Group - 16th Annual Disability Resource Expo is an in-person event on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The event will run from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm Central Time at 2000 N Neil Street in Champaign, IL. No registration required - expect resources for all ages with accessibility assistance and interpreters available. Learn more and sign up to be an exhibitor, sponsor, or volunteer here: DISABILITY Resource Expo
- Brandeis University - "Permission, Pleasure, and Power: Consent as the Foundation for Disability and Reproductive Justice" is a free presentation on October 28, 2025, starting at 4:30 pm Central Time. This discussion offers both in-person and virtual options for attendance during registration. Learn more and RSVP here: Consent as the Foundation - 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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