IN 11/20/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- Draft Information Bulletin (IB)
- Diabetes Awareness Month - November 2025
- Behavior Intervention and Treatment Billing Audit
- Required FY25 Waiver Wage Attestation
- ISBE Restraint, Time-Out Guidance, and FAQs
- Survey Opportunity
- Training Opportunities
- Other Resources
DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETIN POSTED
When policy is being written, prior to being published, the Draft Information Bulletin (Draft IB) is shared for public comments and feedback. Review the current Draft IBs by visiting DDD Draft Information Bulletins and submit comments on open drafts to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.
Current Draft IB: ADA/Olmstead Outreach
- The Division has responsibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and specifically the Olmstead vs. L.C. U.S. Supreme Court decision, to ensure that individuals who reside in ICF/DDs and SODCs should be given information on community-based services, as well as other living options, and the process for accessing them. Updated guidelines have been posted as a draft.
- Please submit comments by email to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov by close of business December 01, 2025.
You can access Final Information bulletins here: DDD Final Information Bulletins
DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH 2025
The Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities recognizes Diabetes Awareness Month. Many people in Illinois, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), are affected by diabetes. This month gives us a chance to learn more about how diabetes can impact daily life. It also reminds us how important it is to support the health and well-being of people with IDD. We appreciate everyone who helps individuals with IDD stay healthy each day. Diabetes Awareness Month is a time to show care, understanding, and awareness for all who are living with diabetes.
BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT BILLING AUDITS
As is required by Medicaid, any billable time for 56U hours must have accompanying documentation. DDD has been auditing Behavior Intervention and Treatment (Program Bill Code 56U) notes, and it is evident that there needs to be clarification on the requirements for clinical notes.
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) services and the provider must be listed on the provider page of the Personal Plan in order to bill.
- Each clinical note must have the individual's name, date of event, time of event, and a clinical narrative.
- The clinical narrative should discuss what happened during the event and what goals were addressed.
- Additionally, the notes are required to be filed in the individual's record.
- There should not be multiple individuals' personal health information on the same document.
- If observations are completed, the narrative must detail what was observed.
The purpose of clinical notes is not only to document the work that has been completed. It is also to share clinical information with the current team as well as future team members.
The following items are not billable:
- Writing clinical notes
- Completing continuing education
- Travel time
It has also come to the DDD's attention that there are 56U providers who are billing over 200 hours on a monthly basis across multiple agencies. Monthly totals of over 180 will be audited to ensure appropriate billing practices are being used.
REQUIRED FY25 WAIVER WAGE ATTESTATION
This is a duplicate notice - previously shared 11/10/2025 and 11/12/2025.
Pursuant to Public Act 102-0944, the State requires providers licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act (Community-Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs)) to certify that all legislatively or administratively mandated wage increases have been and are being passed on to ICF Aides (aides) and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) as prescribed by the State.
In Spring 2024, the Illinois General Assembly passed, and Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Public Act 103-0588, requiring the following as it relates to the wage increases effective January 1, 2025, as approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
For Waiver-funded providers including CILA (24 Hour, Host Family and Intermittent) and Enhanced Residential (37U):
- Wage increases of $1.00 per hour for DSPs, with at least $0.75 (75%) to be provided as a $0.75 per hour direct increase to all DSP wages, with the remaining $0.25 (25%) to be used flexibly for wage increases for DSPs and other frontline staff not covered by the federal Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) mean hourly wage increases; and
- Wage increases for all non-executive direct care staff, excluding DSPs, to the DOL BLS mean hourly wage based on the same or similar occupation title.
Please note: For ICF/DDs and MC/DDs, a separate attestation will be sent once CMS has approved the increases.
In implementing this requirement, the State has created the following Wage Attestation Form: IDHS: Fiscal Year 2025 Waiver Wage Attestation Form (7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025)
- The form should be completed by an Authorized Agency Representative for your organization.
- The form should be completed one (1) time per organization, unless as provided below.
- If your organization provides Waiver-funded CILA services, please complete the Waiver Wage Attestation Form.
- Please complete the form 1 time for all CILA services you provide. Please check the appropriate boxes on the form that correspond to the services your organization provides.
All forms must be completed by Friday, December 12, 2025.
Should you have questions about the completion of the form, please reach out to the Division of Developmental Disabilities at DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.
ISBE RESTRAINT, TIME-OUT GUIDANCE, AND FAQ
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has updated Non-Regulatory Restraint and Time-Out Guidance, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for such.
Public Act 102-0339, signed into law Aug. 13, 2021, limits the use of Restraint and Time-Out practices to those instances in which the student's behavior poses an "imminent danger of serious physical harm." ISBE's updated Restraint and Time-Out Non-Regulatory Guidance and FAQ, based on PA 102-0339, is now available. This guidance is crucial because these interventions can be dangerous and traumatic for students. Restraint and time-out practices should only be used as a last resort to prevent imminent harm, and any staff involved in these practices must have the proper training.
If you have any questions after reviewing the updated non-regulatory guidance, please contact the Wellness and Student Care Department.
DIGNITY IN PAY (DiP) FEEDBACK SESSIONS
The IDD System Redesign Coalition: Disability Partners Project is hosting virtual Provider Feedback Sessions. Dates for these discussions are December 9, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am Central Time and December 10, 2025, from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm Central Time. Email questions to rebecca@instituteonline.org. Register here: DiP Feedback Session Registration
SURVEY OPPORTUNITY:
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking public comment on its proposed Illinois Accountability Redesign. Please read the proposed redesign before you comment.
- You may provide your feedback via this survey, which includes 21 questions (11 multiple choice and 10 open response). The survey is estimated to take 10-30 minutes to complete, depending on the degree of written feedback you choose to offer through the open response items.
- Alternatively, you may choose to email written comments or questions to essa@isbe.net. The initial comment period closes at 11:59 pm Central Time on December 7, 2025.
- ISBE has added three virtual sessions to the Accountability Redesign Phase II Listening Tour: November 19th, November 24th, and December 1st. All events will be held from 4-6 pm Central Time. Register here: Accountability Redesign Phase II Virtual Listening Tour.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:
- BHWC - "The Clinical Side of Supervision" is a free virtual webinar offered November 26, 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Central Time. There is a waitlist at this time; register here: The Clinical Side of Supervision Registration
OTHER RESOURCES
- BTS - "The WOW Meeting REBOOT!" is a weekly recurring meeting for self-advocates that will be virtually hosted by Chuy and Tavarus. This will take place Fridays from 10:00 am until 11:00 am Central Time until further notice. Registration is not required.
- The Arc of IL - "Family Support Group" is a free virtual event that is open to the public. The webinar will begin November 25, 2025, at 4:30 pm Central Time. Before the meeting you can submit topics by completing this Google Form. Register to attend the session here: Family Support Group - Zoom
- Epilepsy Foundation (Southern IL) - "Caregiver Open Forum" is a free event and open to individuals with epilepsy and their families living in Southern Illinois (the lower 34 counties). This in person event will take place December 02, 2025, at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern IL Event Hall (address: 750 West H Street in Belleville, IL 62226), starting at 10:00 am Central Time. Please register before November 26, 2025, by emailing Janee Baldwin or calling 618-236-2181 ext 116. Learn more about Epilepsy Foundation events here: Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois
- ICPN - "Mindfulness Moments & Meaningful Caregiving" is a virtually hosted webinar that is free to attend. CE is available for qualified titles. The presentation will begin Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: ICPN Meaningful Caregiving Registration - Zoom
- ICPN - "ACT for Caregivers" is a virtually hosted webinar that is free to attend. CE is available for qualified titles. The presentation will begin Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:00 am Central Time. Learn more and register here: ICPN ACT for Caregivers Registration - Zoom
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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