Bridge Program for Pregnant Women and Women with Dependent Children – Bridge PWWDC 26-444-26-2841-05

1. - Basic Information (CSFA Data Section)

Items 1(A) - 1(E) are in the CSFA Data Table Below:

Awarding Agency Name (1-A)	Illinois Department of Human Services
Agency Division Name	Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Agency Contact	Lisa Cohen Lisa.cohen@illinois.gov (773) 848 - 7737
Announcement Type (1-C)	Competitive-Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Title (1-B)	Bridge Program for Pregnant Women and Women with Dependent Children - Bridge PWWDC
Funding Opportunity Number (1-D)	26-444-26-2841-05
Application Posting Date	10/23/25
Application Closing Date	12/08/25
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number	93.959
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name	Expense Based SUD and Gambling Disorder Services
Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E)	not applicable
Awarding Source	State
Estimated Total Program Funding Amount	$9,000,000
Anticipated Number of Awards	6-12
Award Range	$450,000 - $750,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?	No
Indirect Costs Allowed?	Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs?	No
Technical Assistance Session Offered	No

1. - Basic Information Continued - Section F through I

6. Funding Details
   1. Total Amount of Funding
      1. The Department expects to award approximately $9,000,000.
      2. The source of funding for this program is State funds
   2. Number of Grant Awards
      1. The Department anticipates funding approximately #6-12 grant awards to provide this program
   3. Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards
      1. The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be $450,000-$750,000.
   4. Amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.
      1. Not applicable
   5. Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility.
      1. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are/are not eligible to compete with applications for new State awards
      2. Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on sufficient appropriation and performance criteria including, but not limited to:
         1. Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period
         2. All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department
         3. No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.)
   6. Procurement Contract Allowability/Sub-Recipient Agreements 
      1.  Subcontractor Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department. Subcontractors are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the subcontractor
   7. Funding restrictions
      1. Pre-Award Costs
         1. Pre-Award Costs are allowed subject to the discretion, review, and prior approval of the IDHS Budget Committee. Pre-Award Costs must be identified as such in the IDHS Uniform Grant Budget Narrative. Pre-Award costs are/are not allowable for this award
         2. IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles
         3. Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records
      2. Indirect Costs
         1. Indirect Costs may be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES)
   8. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award
7. Key Dates
   1. Application Posting Date 10/23/2025.
   2. The Department must receive the Preliminary Submission materials Letter of Intent at 10/29/25 4:00 pm CST. This should be a one-page document stating your organization's name, your intent to apply for the NOFO, and the counties or community areas you plan to serve. Please email your letter of intent to Lisa Cohen at lisa.cohen@illinois.gov. In the subject line, please put your agency name and Letter of Intent.
   3. The Department must receive the Full Application: Due on 12/08/25 at 4:00 pm CST.
   4. Anticipated Award Date: 02/01/26.
   5. Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.
      1. Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than February 1, 2026 and will continue through June 30, 2028.
8. Executive Summary: 

The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (IDHS-DBHR) is a recipient of the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS BG). The SUPTRS BG is awarded to states to assist in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance use. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) utilizes state funds to address one of the priority populations identified in the SUPTRS BG, which is pregnant women and women with dependent children (PWWDC).

IDHS-DBHR is releasing this NOFO to enhance and build infrastructure that supports health outcomes for pregnant women and women with dependent children impacted by substance use and co-occurring disorders. This funding will be used to equip licensed treatment organizations to establish Pregnant Women and Women with Dependent Children (PWWDC) programs. PWWDC programs are specialized licensed outpatient, intensive outpatient, or residential rehabilitative programs that provide or arrange for, through formal agreement(s), ALL the following services:

• Primary medical care, including prenatal care, as applicable.
• Primary pediatric care for the women's children, including immunizations.
• Gender-specific substance use disorder treatment.
• Other therapeutic interventions for women addressing issues such as relationships, sexual and physical abuse, and parenting.
• Assessment and therapeutic interventions, as applicable, for children in custody of women in treatment to address, among other things, developmental needs, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect.
• Childcare while the women are receiving service.
• Sufficient case management and transportation to ensure that the women and their children have access to the above service.

PWWDC programs will treat the family as a unit and admit both women and their children into treatment services, if appropriate. The target populations to be served in these programs are 1) pregnant women, 2) women with dependent children, and 3) women trying to regain custody of their children.

Applicants of the Bridge PWWDC NOFO must demonstrate how they will 1) improve health outcomes for PWWDC by implementing required activities when providing SUD or COD treatment, 2) build strong collaborative networks for early identification of PWWDC who need SUD or COD treatment and recovery support services, 3) increase and strengthen the behavioral health workforce focused on PWWDC and their families, and 4) develop a Sustainability Plan that will ensure transition of this PWWDC program beyond the Bridge award.

Eligible applicants for this NOFO must meet the following requirements:

1. The organization is an IDHS-DBHR licensed SUD treatment organization. An organization may submit multiple applications if it operates programs in different geographic areas.
2. The organization has implemented treatment services in accordance with all provisions outlined in 77 Illinois Administrative Code, Part 2060.
3. The organization possesses the necessary capacity, as well as fiscal, administrative, and organizational readiness, to deliver substance use disorder (SUD) early intervention and/or treatment services safely and effectively, consistent with evidence-based practices that are developmentally and culturally appropriate.
4. The organization has experience in delivering treatment to the target populations served by these programs, which include: 1) pregnant women, 2) women with dependent children, and 3) women seeking to regain custody of their children.

I. Agency Contact Information.

1. If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact DHS.DBHR.Grant.Implementation@illinois.gov.
2. A frequently asked Question and Answer page is posted on the DHS website. Questions submitted up to 10 business days prior to the end of the NOFO posting period, will be posted on the website.

J. Indirect Costs

An organization must have a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) with the State of Illinois, A Federal NICRA, or elect to use the 15% de minimis rate (some programs funded with federal dollars are still subject to the 10% de minimis rate) to be reimbursed for any indirect costs within a program. All State of Illinois grantees also have the option to select "no rate" and not claim any indirect costs.

Awardees must select an indirect cost election in the Grantee Portal on an annual basis. Note - The election for "no rate" and "de minimis" continue indefinitely once initially selected until a new election is made.

All State of Illinois grantees receiving awards from Illinois grant making agencies must substantiate or elect an indirect cost rate for their organization. Grantees that wish to negotiate a rate with the State of Illinois will start their election process in the Grantee Portal and the case will then be sent to the Crowe Resource Management Program (CRMP) to begin negotiation.

Please click on the Centralized Indirect Cost Rate System to begin the indirect cost rate election process and obtain access to resources and points of contact to assist your organization in completing this process.

2. Eligibility

1. Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee:
   1. Organization name and contact information
   2. Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN)
   3. Unique Identity Number (UEI)
   4. Organization type
2. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. Items a) through e) below are the prequalification requirements.
   1. Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration: Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:
      1. Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date.
      2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application.
      3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the awarding agency.
      4. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.
      5. The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants.
   2. Must be in "good standing" with the Illinois Secretary of State if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity's organization type to be registered.
   3. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List
   4. Must not be on the Sam.gov Exclusion List
   5. Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List

C. Eligibility factors for the principal investigator or project director if any. N/A

D. Successful Applicants will not receive an award if Pre-Award Requirements are not met. Qualified status is re-verified nightly. If the entity's status changes, an email notice is sent to the designated entity representative with a link to the Grantee Portal.

E. See Section number 1(F) for funding restrictions (or no funding restrictions).

F. Other factors that would disqualify an applicant or application include: N/A

G. Limit on number of applications. N/A

H. Cost Sharing:

1.Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.

3. - Program Description

This section contains the full program description of the funding opportunity.

The general purpose of the funding is to create new programming and increase the capacity of programming designed specifically to address the needs of PWWDC experiencing SUD or COD and their families and it is expected to achieve a positive impact on keeping families intact and building infrastructure and resources within communities to better serve them for the public good.

1. IDHS-DBHR is interested in increasing the capacity of programming designed specifically to address the needs of PWWDC experiencing SUD or COD and their families. This NOFO will provide organizations the opportunity 1) to improve health outcomes for PWWDC by implementing required activities when providing SUD or COD treatment, 2) to build strong collaborative networks for early identification of PWWDC who need SUD or COD treatment, and recovery support services, 3) increase and strengthen the behavioral health workforce focused on PWWDC and their families, 4) develop a Sustainability Plan that will ensure transition of this PWWDC program beyond the Bridge PWWDC award.

  It is expected that the Bridge PWWDC program will have an impact on the following:

1. Demonstrate a positive correlation on health outcomes for PWWDC.
2. Establish pathways for earlier identification and engagement of PWWDC.
3. Increase family reunification efforts where the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is involved.
4. Reduce barriers PWWDC experience in accessing treatment services. 5. Increase the number of Family Care Plans being created to reduce  contact with DCFS.

Definitions:

Assertive engagement - a proactive and persistent approach to connect individuals with substance use treatment and recovery services, particularly with those who may be hesitant or resistant to treatment.

Case Management - a coordinated approach to the delivery of health and medical treatment, substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment, and social services, linking patients with appropriate services to address specific needs and achieve stated goals.  In general, case management assists patients with other disorders and conditions that require multiple services over extended periods of time and who face difficulty in gaining access to those services. [20 ILCS 301/1-10]

Community Intervention - a service that occurs within the community rather than in a treatment setting. These services focus on the community and its residents and include crisis intervention, peer recovery support services (pre or post treatment), case finding to identify individuals in need of service including in-reach and outreach to targeted populations or individuals not admitted to treatment and recovery.

Co-occurring disorders (COD) - the coexistence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD). Co-occurring disorders may include any combination of two or more SUDs and mental health disorders identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR) 

Early Intervention - ASAM Level 0.5 services that are sub-clinical and pre-diagnostic and that include a written plan designed to further identify and address risk factors that may be related to problems associated with substance use or that may lead to a substance use disorder. Early intervention assists persons in recognizing harmful consequences, facilitates emotional and social stability, and includes referrals for higher levels of care, when necessary.

Family Care Plan - a document created jointly by a pregnant or parenting woman, and her provider. This document helps women to think about what services or supports they might find useful, to record their preparations to parent and organize the care and services they are receiving.

Family Centered Treatment - an approach that emphasizes the importance of family dynamics in the treatment process. It focuses on the entire family, recognizing that SUDs can affect not only the individual with the disorder but also the family as a whole. This treatment model aims to provide comprehensive support and services that meet the needs of each family member, rather than just the individual seeking help.

Gender Responsive - refers to a treatment approach that recognizes and addresses the unique experiences, needs, and barriers faced by individuals based on their gender. This approach is essential as it acknowledges that factors such as gender, culture, and past trauma significantly impact the onset and treatment of SUDs. Gender-responsive care aims to provide inclusive and effective treatment that considers the specific challenges faced by women, including trauma, family dynamics, and co-occurring disorders, ensuring that treatment is tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals seeking help for SUD.

Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization - non-residential treatment consisting of clinical services for adults or adolescents. The frequency and intensity of such treatment shall depend on patient need but shall be a planned regimen of scheduled sessions that complies with the ASAM criteria for applicable Level 1 care.

Outpatient- non-residential treatment consisting of clinical services for adults or adolescents. The frequency and intensity of such treatment shall depend on patient need but shall be a planned regimen of regularly scheduled sessions that complies with the ASAM criteria for applicable Level 1 care.

Outreach- the encouragement, engagement, or re-engagement of at-risk individual(s) into treatment through community institutions such as churches, schools, and medical facilities (as defined by the community) or through consultation with the Division. In-reach is the education of community institutions or state agencies and social services staff regarding the screening and referral of at-risk individuals to treatment programs for a clinical assessment.

Organization -any public or private agency, person, association, corporation, or other unit of State or local government acting individually or as a group that applies for or obtains licensure to operate one or more substance use disorder intervention or treatment services.

Recovery - a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and reach their full potential. [20 ILCS 301/1-10]

Residential Treatment -organized treatment services that include a planned and structured regimen of care in a 24-hour residential setting. Residential services exist on a continuum ranging from least intensive to the most intensive medically monitored service. The ASAM levels of care licensed by IDHS-DBHR as residential treatment are Levels 3.1, 3.5, and 3.7.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) - non-medical factors that affect health outcomes. They include the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age. SDOH also include the broader forces and systems that shape everyday life conditions.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) -a spectrum of persistent and recurring problematic behavior that encompasses 10 separate classes of drugs: alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, sedatives, hypnotics and anxiolytics, stimulants, and tobacco, and other unknown substances leading to clinically-significant impairment or distress. [20 ILCS 301/1-10]

Trauma -a result from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by a person as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the person's functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

Trauma Informed Care - a strength-based service delivery approach that focuses on understanding responsiveness to the impact of trauma, that emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety for organizations and survivors and that creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment. Trauma-Informed Care recognizes the role trauma plays in the lives of clients/patients and seeks to shift the clinical perspective from "what's wrong with you" to "what happened to you" by recognizing and accepting symptoms and difficult behaviors as strategies developed to cope with trauma.

Treatment -the broad range of emergency, outpatient, and residential care (including assessment, diagnosis, case management, treatment, and recovery support planning) that may be extended to individuals with substance use disorders or to the families of those persons. [20 ILCS 301/1-10].

II. The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas.

1. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.
2. The SUPTRS BG regulations, Title 42CFR Part 96, requires States to "ensure that each pregnant woman in the State who seeks or is referred for and would benefit from such services is given preference in admissions to treatment facilities receiving funds pursuant to the grant (eCFR :: 45 CFR 96.131 -- Treatment services for pregnant women.). Further, States are required to have programs that are designed to meet the needs of Pregnant Women and Women with Dependent Children (eCFR :: 45 CFR 96.124 -- Certain allocations.).

III. The goals and objectives of this program are:

Goal 1. The main goal of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to fund PWWDC programs that will provide, enhance, and build infrastructure that supports improved health outcomes for pregnant women and women with dependent children impacted by substance use. It also aims to break the cycle of generational substance use disorders, mental health challenges, poverty related issues through early family intervention.

Objective 1. PWWDC programs will achieve the goal of improved health outcomes by providing or arranging for, through formal agreement(s), ALL the following services:

• Primary medical care, including prenatal care.
• Primary pediatric care for the women's children, including immunizations.
• Gender-specific substance use disorder treatment.
• Other therapeutic interventions for women addressing issues such as relationships, sexual and physical abuse, and parenting.
• Therapeutic interventions for children in custody of women in treatment to address, among other things, developmental needs, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect of the children.
• Childcare while the women are receiving service.
• Sufficient case management and transportation to ensure that the women and their children have access to the above service.

Objective 2. PWWDC programs will treat the family as a unit and admit both women and their children into treatment services, if appropriate. The target populations to be served in these programs are 1) pregnant women, 2) women with dependent children, and 3) women trying to regain custody of their children.

Objective 3. Applicants of the PWWDC NOFO must demonstrate how they plan to build strong collaborative networks for early identification of PWWDC who are at risk or need SUD or COD treatment and recovery support services.

Goal 2. Increase Specialized Workforce in PWWDC Treatment Programs

Objective 1. Recruit individuals interested in working in the behavioral health system to work with the PWWDC population and their families. This would include case managers, outreach workers, doulas and lactation consultants.

• Case Managers - Provide a coordinated approach to the delivery of health and medical treatment, substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment, and social services, linking patients with appropriate services to address specific needs and achieve stated goals. In general, case management assists patients with other disorders and conditions that require multiple services over extended periods of time and who face difficulty in gaining access to those services. [20 ILCS 301/1-10]
• Outreach Workers - In this NOFO, outreach workers are individuals working in the community assisting in building collaborative partnerships and identification of PWWDC and their families experiencing SUD and COD issues providing resources and connections to intervention, treatment, and recovery services. Work within the parameters outlined in 45 CFR 96.126(e)
• Doulas - Certified doulas are trained professionals who provide a range of physical, educational and emotional supports to pregnant and birthing individuals throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience with a goal of improving health outcomes for birthing people and infants. To enroll as an Illinois Medicaid provider, doulas must be at least 18 years old and certified by the Illinois Medicaid-Certified Doula Program, a partnership between HFS and the Sothern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine. This Illinois certification, developed in partnership with HFS and a workgroup of community doulas, leverages an extensive list of existing national and Illinois-based doula training programs and includes a training-based pathway as well as a legacy pathway for doulas with significant experience.
• Lactation Consultants - Lactation consultants are healthcare professionals who provide breastfeeding education and support and can assist parents with any questions or challenges with breastfeeding. To enroll as an Illinois Medicaid provider, lactation consultants must be at least 18 years old and certified as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, certified as a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice, Inc., or certified as a Certified Lactation Specialist (CLS) by the Lactation Education Consultants.

Objective 2. Support training and certification for Doulas and Lactation Consultants. These individuals must also receive SUD and COD training in the context of working with PWWDC and their families. Program Managers will devise a training and credentialing plan for staff in alignment with HFS notifications:

• Provider Notice issued 12/19/2024 - Doula
• Provider Notice issued 12/19/2024 - Lactation Consultant

Goal 3. Provide Community Outreach Activities Including Marketing and Education and Establish Co-location Services

Objective 1. Build relationships by establishing MOU's and subawards where needed to meet program requirements. The following are potential relationships to develop:

• WIC offices - These benefits are available in all 102 Illinois counties at more than 220 clinics, which include county health departments, community action agencies, and hospitals. In Illinois, approximately 40 percent of all babies born are on the WIC program. WIC is the entry point or "gateway" program for this population into the health care system. (IDHS OneNet: Women, Infants & Children)
• Family Community Resource Centers (FCRC) - FCS improves the health and well-being of families and individuals through partnerships and services that build community competence. (IDHS OneNet: FCS Offices)
• Family Case Managers - The Family Case Management program provides assessment of client needs, linkage with Medicaid and primary medical care, referral for assistance with identified social needs, and coordination of care through face-to-face contacts and home visits at regular intervals throughout pregnancy and the infant's first year of life. (IDHS OneNet: Family Case Management (FCM))
• Family Advocacy Centers (FAC) - FACs provide support to parents to follow through on their goals that allow them to preserve and reunite their families. There are 38 Family Advocacy Centers (FACs) and nine satellite offices across the state operated by 28 service providers. FACs maintain a focused, holistic approach that builds on a family's existing strengths. (Family Advocacy Centers)
• Crisis Nurseries - The nurseries work with families who have children under six by providing 24-hour round-the-clock crisis care and children's groups, and by providing home visits, parenting classes, parent support groups, crisis counseling, and referrals to after care services. (IDHS: Crisis Nursery Providers)
• Perinatal Regional Centers - Perinatal regional centers in Illinois are part of a robust perinatal regionalization system that includes 10 administrative perinatal centers. These centers help provide quality care to perinatal patients in the state, resulting in improved birth outcomes, health for women and infants, and decreased costs. (Perinatal Regionalization)
• Birth Centers - Birth centers are designated sites, other than a hospital or the pregnant person's usual place of residence, in which births are planned to occur following a normal, uncomplicated, and low-risk pregnancy. Birth centers are dedicated to serving the childbirth-related needs of pregnant persons and their newborns and have no more than 10 beds. Birth centers offer prenatal care and community education services and coordinate these services with other health care services available in the community. (Birth Centers)

Objective 2. Develop Co-location Services & Outreach Plans Including Marketing and Education

• PWWDC programs will create proactive identification and outreach plans to publicize programming and reduce barriers and stigma to engage and retain the target populations.
• Co-location into any of the identified collaborative partners established to provide but not limited to screening, resources, transportation to services, advocacy, and home visits to support the needs of PWWDC and their families.
• Provide community marketing of program and provide education and training to partners and cross system, i.e. housing, child welfare, criminal justice, etc.

Goal 4: Identify Technical Assistance Needs and Develop Sustainability Plan

Objective 1. Organizations should identify their technical assistance needs including but not limited to sustainability planning, staff training needs, and building collaborative partnerships, and ensure consultants and subawards for these needs are named and described in detail in their budgets.

Objective 2. Organizations must develop a sustainability plan to be submitted to program staff by the end of year one of the award.

Resources to assist with program development:

• Addressing the Specific Needs of Women for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
• Illinois Medicaid-Certified Doula Program | SIU School of Medicine
• IDHS DBHR Current Substance Use Grants Contractual Policy Manual found here: IDHS: Grant, Billing Reporting & Data

IV.  Program Deliverables

The PWWDC award will increase the number of programs designed to meet the needs of Pregnant Women and Women with Dependent Children with or at risk for SUD as required by eCFR :: 45 CFR 96.124 -- Certain allocations. Organizations will be required to formalize collaborative agreements which will strengthen community networks, resulting in earlier identification and engagement of PWWDC who are known to be critical and circumspect of participating in substance use services due to stigma, shame and fear of child welfare involvement. Additionally, by supporting the training and Medicaid certification process requirements of doulas and lactation consultants in conjunction with trainings on SUD and COD, more maternal child health staff will be knowledgeable about working with PWWDC experiencing SUD and/or COD. This award will reduce barriers that pregnant women and women with dependent children encounter while trying to access and stay engaged in SUD services including coordinating multi-service system involvement such as child welfare, criminal justice and housing. 

1. Organizations establishing formal MOU's for core services must submit the agreements to DBHR within 60 days of award.
2. Organizations will submit any subawards included in budgets within 30 days of awardee notification for review and approval by DBHR Program Specialists.
3. Organizations will submit Sustainability Plans by June 30, 2026 to DBHR for review and approval, and will be updated each year of the 3-year program.
4. Organizations will submit Monthly Expenditure Payment Vouchers through email by the 15th of the month based on the previous month's expenditures using the approved form. All emailed payment vouchers must be carbon copied (cc'd) to DHS.DBHR.SUDVouchers@illinois.gov and DBHR Program Specialist and the email subject line must include the grant agreement award number.
5. Organizations will submit Monthly Data Collection Reports through e-mail by the 15th of the month based on the previous month's services using the approved form. All Monthly Data Collection Reports must be sent to the DBHR Program Specialist.
6. Organizations will submit periodic performance reports by the 30th of the month following the end of the quarter reporting progress on deliverables to the DBHR Program Specialist.
7. Organizations must notify DBHR Program Specialist of any changes in staffing within 30 days.
8. Key personnel are staff members who must be part of the project and must make a substantial contribution to the execution of the project, regardless of whether they receive a salary or compensation from the project. Key personnel for this project include one Program Manager who will be responsible for administrative oversight of the project, primary contact with IDHS-DBHR staff and other partners, establishment and maintenance of required Memorandums of Understanding (MOU's) and subawards, and community and system engagement activities. The Program Manager must be at a 1.0 FTE (100 percent level of effort) for this position. Organizations receiving other state funds may not exceed 100 percent level of effort for any program staff across all state funded sources. Organization must inform IDHS-DBHR of any key personnel changes.
9. Organizations are required to participate in all learning collaboratives and other DBHR meetings including onsite program visits as needed and will be tracked by the DBHR Program Specialist.

10. Upon award, organizations will be required to sign an attestation letter confirming agreement to become a "designated" PWWDC program. Organizations will indicate which sites will be deemed "designated" adhering to all requirements set forth in this NOFO. PWWDC programs will create proactive identification and outreach plans to publicize programming and reduce barriers and stigma to engage and retain the target populations.

11. Upon award, organizations will work with DBHR and project evaluator to establish data collection points that will be tracked monthly through an approved DBHR reporting mechanism. The reporting mechanism will be finalized within 60 days of awardee's notification of funding.

V. Performance Measures and Standards

Performance Measures:

1. Programs will be expected to achieve their target for PWWDC admissions during each twelve-month period.
2. Programs will be expected to comply with submission and timeframes of deliverables as outlined in the Program Description.
3. Programs will be expected to participate in any additional IDHS-DBHR required activities that will be associated with the development, implementation, functioning, and evaluation of this program.

Performance Standards:

1. Programs will achieve 100% of their annual target for admission of PWWDC which may be pro-rated for the initial funding period.
2. Programs will submit 100% of deliverables as directed in the Program Description.
3. Minimum of key staff must participate in any additional IDHS-DBHR required activities to support this project. 

  VI. For cooperative agreements, the "substantial involvement" that the State agency expects to have are (or are located) N/A.

  VII. Specific unallowable costs for this program include the following:

This program will utilize an expense-based budget. Organizations should design their budgets around the following:

Funds contained in IDHS-DBHR grants shall be used for covered services for income eligible patients when all other applicable entitlement or third-party payment have been depleted. When this occurs, funds can be used as follows:

1.For services for any patient who has exhausted or not yet purchased third-party insurance coverage or for any annual insurance deductible.

2.For the amount of any applicable Medicaid spend-down and/or for services that are not Medicaid reimbursable.

3.For any patient covered by Medicare who receives services from a DHS/DBHR licensed organization that cannot enroll as a Medicare provider. In all cases, no Medicaid eligible services delivered to a Medicaid eligible patient can be reimbursed through IDHS-DBHR contract funds. Subawards are allowable to enhance treatment programs to meet the goal of this NOFO (See Program goals and objectives). The subaward agreement must be signed and approved by the Division prior to the initiation of any services. Organizations must adhere to all subaward requirements set forth in the current Contractual Policy Manual.

Resource:

IDHS-DBHR Current Substance Use Grants Contractual Policy Manual found here: IDHS: Grant, Billing Reporting & Data

VIII Program beneficiaries or program participants must meet the following requirements

1. Pregnant women,
2. Women with dependent children,
3. Women trying to regain custody of their children, and
4. Other identified family members

IX. Authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity include the following:

FY26 Operating Budget:

• https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/publicacts/104/104-0003.htm
• Illinois Administrative Rule, Part 2060: https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07702060sections.htm
• Illinois Administrative Rule, Part 2090: https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07702090sections.html
• Illinois Substance Use Disorder Act: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=232&ChapterID=5
• Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Block Grant: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-96/subpart-L.

4.- Application Contents and Format.

This subsection must identify the required content of an application and the forms or formats an applicant must use. If any requirements are stated elsewhere, this section should refer to where those requirements may be found. This section also should include required forms or formats as part of the announcement or state where the applicant may obtain them.

A. Content and Form of Application Submission

1. The Department strongly encourages the submission of a Letter of Intent by 10/29/2025 at 4:00 pm CST. This should be a one-page document stating your organization's name, your intent to apply for the NOFO, and the counties or community areas you plan to serve. Please email your letter of intent to Lisa Cohen at Lisa.cohen@illinois.gov. In the subject line, please put your agency name and Letter of Intent.
2. Required Content of Application

a. Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below. Applicants that do not include all the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding. Refer to Section V (iii)B for details.

3. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments

a. Program Narrative: IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.

Formatting Instructions:

• Text in the narrative should be 12-point Calibri font. Tables should be 10-point font.
• The narrative portion of the application should be no more than 10 single spaced pages.
• Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) and other requested attachments will not be counted towards the narrative page count.
• Number each page including cover letter. Hand-numbering is acceptable.
• Use 8.2 x 11 paper size and one-inch margins.
• For each new section, include a header that is bold and underlined.
• Any documents that require signatures may be scans of original or electronic.
• Images, figures, tables, or graphs should not equate to more than 25% of the narrative.
• If any activity/requirements will be completed by third-party information such as references, letters of support, or letters of commitment to the project must be included with the application packet.

b. Proposal Narrative Sections: Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will consider content contained within that specific section.

The program narrative provides the applicant an opportunity to present a comprehensive overview of their experience and qualifications, outlining their goals, objectives, and the strategies needed to ensure the successful implementation of a PWWDC program. It should highlight the applicant's capacity to: 1) to improve health outcomes for PWWDC by implementing required activities when providing SUD or COD treatment, 2) build strong collaborative networks for early identification of PWWDC who are at risk or need SUD or COD treatment and recovery support services, 3) increase and strengthen the behavioral health workforce focused on PWWDC and their families, and 4) sustain programming beyond NOFO funding. Organizations must be able to relay how they plan to identify and engage the PWWDC population and their families, develop a community wide infrastructure to support the needs of the PWWDC and their families, advocate for a holistic, inclusive approach to recovery that embraces diverse pathways, and support the integration and expansion of evidence-based practices such as Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR). Additionally, the narrative should demonstrate the applicant's commitment to ensuring equitable service delivery, reducing stigma associated with substance use and recovery, and prioritizing the needs of disparately impacted communities.

Below is the format that must be followed for the narrative portion of the application. There are 6 sections of the narrative. Applicants must follow the sequence of narrative categories, adhere to the number of allowable pages for each and provide complete responses to each question. The scoring metric for each narrative section has been provided.

IMPORTANT:

The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.

Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will consider content contained within that specific section.

1. Executive Summary (Not scored, 1-page)

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to present their agency description, history and achievements, service description, equity advancement, financial overview, and future plans. Provide a brief description that summarizes the goals and objectives of the program, the target audience, and eligible recipients.

2. Need (20 points, 2-pages)

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for these services within the community and how the proposed project will address the needs.

1. Identify and describe your population(s) of focus and the geographic catchment area where you will deliver services that align with the intended population of focus. Provide a demographic profile of PWWDC to include the following: race, ethnicity, federally recognized tribe (if applicable), language, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic status.
2. Describe the extent of the problem in the catchment area, including service gaps and disparities experienced by underserved and historically under-resourced populations. Document the extent of the need (i.e., current prevalence rates or incidence data) for the PWWDC and the source of the data.

3. Capacity (20 points, 2-pages)

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to describe their organization and experience.

1. Describe your organizations experience in serving pregnant women and women with dependent children. Provide the locations of any currently operating programming designed for the PWWDC population and the annual numbers served.
2. Describe your community's demographics, challenges, available resources, and other pertinent data related to PWWDC.
3. Does your organization have any formal partnerships through MOU's or linkage agreements that are specifically for working with PWWDC. Please list those partnerships and describe the agreement you have with those organizations.
4. Describe your organizations experience with doing outreach work in the community. For example, does your organization currently employ any outreach workers?

4. Project Description (45 points, 4-pages)

The applicant should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the needs and objectives of the PWWDC program as related to the Program Goals and Objectives described in Section C of this NOFO. This section is intended to be a well-articulated program plan. The Program Description in Section C should be used as a guide when responding.

1. Provide a narrative describing the program you envision creating to support PWWDC and their families. The narrative must include how the program will address each of the core services and framework components listed in the Program Description Section C Program Goals and Objectives. If any of the services will be referred out of the program, the organization must provide a letter of commitment or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from a partnering entity to provide that service to any PWWDC that is admitted into the program. Applications will be scored in accordance with organizations ability to describe how they will address each of the seven (7) core program components and the four (4) program framework areas.
2. How will your organization recruit staff for the PWWDC program? List the program staff and their roles that are required to implement the program that has been described. Indicate their level of effort on the project and what training and/or development they will require. Please describe their specific duties which would align with the core services, intervention, recovery support services including but not limited to if they will be actively working in the community, focused on outreach and/or if they will be providing home visits. What training and/or credentialing needs will the staffing for your program need? Job descriptions should be included in the attachment section of the application.
3. Describe how the PWWDC program will coordinate with existing programming in your community and specifically any current programming for the PWWDC population within your organization.
4. What new collaborative partnerships will your organization develop (see Section C. Program Goals and Objectives) to establish early identification and engagement of PWWDC and/or for services external to your organizations proposed program?
5. Indicate the annual number of PWWDC and families you plan to serve. What is the child limit per PWWDC? What is the age range of children your program will serve?
6. Describe your discharge policy for the program including what a successful discharge looks like. Describe the assertive engagement techniques you will use to build trust and keep women engaged in services.
7. Provide a detailed narrative of your organizations outreach, identification, and engagement strategy for the program. PWWDC must create proactive identification, and outreach plans to publicize programming, reduce barriers and stigma to engage and retain the target populations.

5. Performance Reporting, Monitoring, and Evaluation (15 points, 1-page)

The organization will be expected to collect data and to maintain a collaborative relationship with the IDHS DBHR program staff.

1. Describe your experience with collecting and reporting of program service and performance data.
2. Describe how your organization will collect the required data for this program and how such data will be used to manage, monitor, and enhance the program.
3. Identify and describe what your organizations technical assistance needs will be for implementation of the program and sustainability beyond the award. Please see Section C. Program goals and objectives.

 4. Budget and Budget Narrative

1. Applicants must enter a budget electronically in the CSA system (Refer to Appendix A: CSA Budget Information for more information and a link to budget forms). The Budget entered into the CSA system will include a narrative or detailed description/justification for each line in the budget and will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how you arrived at the particular amount. Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must also clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, and match within each line item as appropriate. The Budget (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) should clearly describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities described in your plan.
2. The Budget must be electronically signed and submitted in the CSA system. The Budget must be signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer.
3. IMPORTANT: Please be sure the budget status in CSA says "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review." This status will appear after the budget is electronically signed by the agency CEO or CFO and submitted to IDHS. See IDHS CSA Tracking System webpage for additional information on CSA at IDHS: CSA Tracking System (state.il.us)d. The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and demonstrate that all proposed costs are:
4. Reasonable and necessary
5. Allocable, and
6. Allowable as defined by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), as applicable.

5. Required Forms

1. The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application. IL444-5262 - UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR STATE GRANT ASSISTANCE (.pdf)
2. The Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure is a required for all grant award programs. The document requires agencies to identify actual or potential conflicts of interest. The form must be signed by a representative of the organization. IL444-5205 - GRANTEE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE (.pdf)

6. Required Format

1. The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the format outlined or points may be deducted.
2. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.

Content and Form of Application Submission

5. -  Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

1. Address to Request Application Package.
   1. Actions Needed Prior to Applying:
      1. The complete application package (this Notice of Funding Opportunity, including links to required forms) is available through the Illinois Catalog of Financial Assistance and the IDHS Grants Website Page located: IDHS: Grant Funded Programs (state.il.us)
      2. Each Applicant must have access to the internet. The Department's website will contain information regarding the NOFO and materials necessary for submission. Questions and answers will also be posted on the Department's website as described in this announcement (section 1 - I (Roman Numeral 1, Alpha section I)) It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor the website and comply with any instructions or requirements related to the NOFO.
2. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
   1. Each applicant must:
      1. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application;
      2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and
      3. Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration.
      4. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements
      5. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.
   2. If individuals are eligible to apply, they are exempt from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(b).
   3. If the agency exempts any applicants from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d), a statement to that effect.
3. Submission Instructions.
   1. Actions needed prior to applying:
      1. Applicants must be registered with the State of Illinois and Pre-qualified in the GATA portal prior to applying for Illinois awards. Instructions for creating an account and registering are located at the following link: Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. Additionally, detailed instructions for registration and prequalification requirements, including the expected amount of time for completion are located here: Pre-Award Requirements
   2. The methods for submitting the application:
      1. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order:
         1. Program Narrative
         2. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance pdf
         3. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure
         4. Budget (entered into the CSA system as described in section (4)(A)
      2. Applications must be sent electronically to DHS.DBHR.Grant.Implementation@illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to DHS.DBHR.Grant.Implementation@illinois.gov. Include the following in the subject line: NOF number and your agency name. Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will not be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive.
      3. Documents must include the following password N/A.
      4. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows N/A.
      5. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they did not receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after the 48 hours. In the event of a dispute the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above (and that the budget was submitted into the CSA system on time).
   3. Pre-application materials must be submitted as follows: N/A.
   4. If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:
      1. Lisa Cohen
      2. Email: lisa.cohen@illinois.gov and DHS.DBHR.Grant.Implementation@illinois.gov.
4. Submission Dates and Times. 
   1. Full applications are due on the following date 12/08/25 at the following time 4:00 PM (CST).
   2. Any preliminary submissions, such as letters of intent, white papers, or pre- applications are due on the following date 10/29/25 at the following time 4:00 PM (CST)
   3. Other submissions required before the award (separate from the full application) include N/A.
   4. If the funding opportunity is a general announcement that is open for a period of time with no specific due dates for applications, this section should say so. N/A
5. Missed Deadlines:
   1. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be separately notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
   2. For your records, please keep a copy of your submission with the date and time the application was submitted along with the email address to which it was sent. The deadline will be strictly enforced.
   3. IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that the applicant not wait until the last minute to submit an application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation that that may prove their application was submitted to the correct location and that it was received by IDHS on or before the deadline. Applicants should also maintain all electronic documentation, including screen shots, email correspondence, help desk ticket numbers, etc. that would document any unforeseen difficulties the applicant may have encountered regarding the timely submission of the application.
6. Intergovernmental Review.
   1. This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs".

6. - Application Review Information.

1. Evaluation criteria is based upon requirements set forth in 44 Ill Admin Code 7000.350 Merit Review of Applications and the IDHS Merit Review Manual. The review criterion and sub-criterion include the following: 

•  Applications will be evaluated based applicant's response to the program narrative described in Section 4.i.3 Program Narrative and Contents. Each section will be weighted as described below.

2. Criteria and Weighting of each criterion

Scoring will be on a 100-point scale. Application narratives will be evaluated for the following criteria:

Section	Points
Executive Summary (not scored, but required)	0
Capacity and Experience	20
Community of Focus and Statement of Need	20
Project Description	45
Performance Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation	15
Budget Narrative (not scored, but required)	0
Total	100

• 1. Cost Sharing will not be considered in the review process. If cost sharing will be considered explain how it will be considered. Do not include any statements that cost sharing is encouraged without providing clarity about what that means. 3. The relevant information if the agency permits applicants to nominate reviewers of their applications or suggest those they feel may be inappropriate due to a conflict of interest.
  2. If criteria vary in importance, the relative percentages, weights, or other means used to distinguish them should be listed here.
  3. Statutory, regulatory, or other preferences - N/A
  4. Cost Sharing will not be considered in the review process.
  5. The relevant information if the agency permits applicants to nominate reviewers of their applications or suggest those they feel may be inappropriate due to a conflict of interest. N/A

iii. Review and Selection Process.

1. The process for evaluation of the application is as follows:

The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The Department reserves the right to consider any factors such as: geographical distribution, demonstrated need, and agency past performance as a State of Illinois grantee, etc. While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.

2. In the event of a tie with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the Department may choose to elect one or more of the following options:

3. Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates: 02/01/2026

4. Merit Based Review Appeal Process

1. Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only be evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by IDHS' Appeal Review Officer (ARO).
   1. Submission of Appeal
      1. Appeals submission IDHS contact information:
         1. Contact Name: Lisa Cohen
         2. Email address: lisa.cohen@llinois.gov
         3. Email Subject Line: 444-26-2379, Bridge PWWDC NOFO Appeal-Lisa Cohen
      2. An appeal must be submitted in writing to appeals submission IDHS contact listed above, who will send to the IDHS Appeal Review Officer (ARO) for consideration.
         1. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.
         2. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
            • Name and address of the appealing party
            • Identification of the grant; and
            • Statement of the reasons for the appeal
            • Supporting documentation, if applicable
   2. Response to appeal
      1. IDHS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
         1. IDHS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
         2. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by IDHS within the time period set in the request
   3. Resolution
      1. The ARO will make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information.
         1. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the State Agency.
         2. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination.
         3. The determination shall include, but not be limited to:
            • Review of the appeal;
            • Appeal determination; and
            • Rationale for the determination.

• Risk Review.
  1. This section must include the following:
     1. IDHS conducts risk assessments for all awardees, prior to the award being issued.
        1. An agency wide Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) to be completed by the awardee within the Grantee Portal. The ICQ evaluates fiscal, administrative, and programmatic risk in the following categories:
           1. Quality of Management Systems
           2. Financial and Programmatic Reporting
           3. Ability to Effectively Implement Award Requirements
           4. Awardee Audits
        2. A program specific Programmatic Risk Assessment conducted by the awarding agency to evaluate the following categories:
           1. Programmatic financial stability
           2. Management systems and standards that would affect the program.
           3. Programmatic audit and monitoring findings
           4. Ability to effectively implement program requirements.
           5. External partnerships
           6. Programmatic reporting
        3. Risk assessments are not intended to be punitive in nature, rather they are conducted in order to evaluate the support, technical assistance, and training that may be needed for the awardee and the level of monitoring that is needed for the award.
        4. Risk assessments may result in Specific Conditions being placed on the award to include more frequent monitoring or the implementation of a corrective action plan.
     2. Simplified Acquisition Threshold - Federal and State awards
        1. This award is not anticipated to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold defined in 48 CFR part 2, subpart 2.1 (OR)
        2. It is anticipated that grants under this award may receive an award over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ( as defined in 48 CFR part2, subpart 2.1.: the dollar amount set by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), currently at $250,000 (with some exceptions)) Potential grantees under this notice of funding opportunity may receive an award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold of 250,000. Therefore, the grantee is subject to the simplified acquisition threshold and related requirements.
           1. Prior to making an award with a total amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, IDHS is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. (Currently FAPIIS) (See 41 U.S.C. 2313)
           2. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a State or Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through Sam.
           3. IDHS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicants' integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under State and Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.206

7. - Award Notices.

This section must address what a successful applicant can expect to receive following selection.

8. - Post-Award Requirements and Administration.

1. 1. The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all State and Federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services.
   2. Provide a link to a sample of the current IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement.
   3. Payment Terms:
      1. It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that this policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (Procedures implementing the Cash Management Improvement Act and Treasury State Agreement (TSA)) and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment methods exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance.
2. Reporting.

Reporting upon execution of the grant agreement shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the UGA and related exhibits which include but is not limited to the following:

1. 1. Periodic Financial Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist.
   2. Periodic Programmatic Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist.
   3. Close-out Performance Reports and Financial Reports as instructed in the UGA.
   4. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in the format prescribed by the Department.
   5. If the State share of any State award may include more than $500,000 over the period of performance applicants are also subject to the reporting requirements reflected in Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200. Noncompliance with any of the identified reports may lead to being placed on the Illinois Stop-Payment List

9. - Other Information - Optional.

IMPORTANT:

The submission email must have 4 attachments: the Grant Application, Proposal Narrative, UGB Budget, and the Conflict of Interest Form.

The Grant Application file must be named "Your Organization's Name FY-26-444-26-2841-05 GA Lisa Cohen.pdf"

The Proposal Narrative file must be named "Your Organization's Name FY-26-444-26-2841-05 Narrative Lisa Cohen.pdf"

The Budget file must be named "Your Organization's Name FY-26-444-26-2841-05 Budget Lisa Cohen.pdf"

The Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure file must be named "Your Organization's Name FY26-444-26-2841-05 Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure Lisa Cohen.pdf"

Failure to follow these guidelines will result in your application being returned for correction.