IN 12/19/2025 COMMUNICATION:
- Draft Information Bulletin Posted - Employment Requirements for CILA Providers
- Updated Rates Effective January 1, 2026
- Provider Agencies Documentation of Education
- SNAP Federal Work Requirement - Family Caregiver Exemption
- Zoom Call for Self-Advocates - WOW Meeting
- BEACON Online Portal
- Illinois Supportive Housing Institute - RFA Open
- Training Opportunity
- Other Resource
DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETIN POSTED - EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CILA PROVIDERS
This information was also shared on 12/17/2025.
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: Employment Requirements for CILA Providers
- This information bulletin provides clarification of timeframe to require a new fingerprint and/or background check prior to employment for a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) agency.
- Please submit comments by email to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov (with the title of the IB in the subject line) by close of business December 31, 2025.
You can access Final Information bulletins here: DDD Final Information Bulletins
UPDATED RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026
This information was also shared on 12/17/2025.
Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) has received Federal CMS approval of 2026 Medicaid waiver amendments. Updated DDD rates are now available. The effective date for I/DD rates is January 1, 2026.
You can review the new proposed rates and the historical rate tables by clicking the link: DD Rate Tables
**Please note that ICF/DD rates are still pending Federal CMS approval of State Plan Amendments. 2026 rates have been updated in this table but cannot be implemented until final approval is granted.
PROVIDER AGENCIES DOCUMENTATION OF EDUCATION
Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDP) and Direct Support Persons (DSP) must each meet specific education requirements in order to perform the duties of their respective positions. Documentation of education must be filed in the employee's personnel or training file or other location available for review by Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) staff.
Provider agencies are responsible to verify the authenticity of submitted education documentation including but not limited to:
- Eighth Grade Completion
- High School Diploma
- General Education Diploma
- College Degrees or Certificate
Provider must conduct and document a verification process. The process is as follows:
- Identify the state where the education took place.
- Identify the school or program.
- Go to that state's accrediting body.
- In the State of Illinois, it is the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
- Review the list of accredited schools to ensure the school is listed. Print documentation with date stamp.
To ensure compliance, please reference:
SNAP FEDERAL WORK REQUIREMENT - FAMILY CAREGIVER EXEMPTION
From the Department on Aging 12/12/2025 Memo:
Family or non-family caregivers are exempt from the SNAP work requirements qualifying as, "responsible for the care of an incapacitated person."
- The "incapacitated person" does not have to live in the home.
- The exemption to choose on the IDHS's Work Exemption Request Form says, "I am providing care for another person who needs help caring for themselves. (This person does not have to be living in your home.)"
Caregivers are required to contact IDHS via the local Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC) to report their status and to ensure they are properly coded in IDHS system to avoid adverse consequences associated with SNAP time limits.
- Anyone can request an exemption at any time by:
- Contacting their local FCRC in person, via phone call, etc. Find your IDHS Local Office here: IDHS Office Locator. Choose Family Community Resource Center in the Office Locator drop down and type in your county - add zip code if in Cook County for narrowed search results.
- Submitting form IL444-2341 SNAP Work Requirement - Request for Exemption to their local FCRC.
- Persons may apply for an exemption by completing IDHS Work Exemption Request Form IL444-2341 and following the directions for submittal.
Manage My Case: Manage My SNAP Work Requirements online at the ABE Website.
- Customers have access to links to the forms listed below and can use the new button to report changes for their work rules and submit a request for an exemption.
Additionally, a screening tool is available at the ABE Website. There is no need to log in or set up an account. Use the "Check if I Meet SNAP Work Requirements" button on the site to assist with determining if the conditions are met for an exemption. The screener will take the individual to the Form IL444-2341 SNAP Work Requirement that can be printed off and sent back to IDHS FCRC Local Office.
IDHS's system will automatically exempt people who receive SSDI and SSI. IDHS mailed this information and form to current SNAP beneficiaries the last week of October 2025.
Find more resources for Family Caregivers here: Support for Caregivers
ZOOM CALL FOR SELF-ADVOCATES - WOW MEETING
"Worth our While (WOW) Meetings" are virtually hosted weekly meetings for self-advocates. Discussion hosted by Chuy and Tavarus. No registration required. Use this zoom link every Friday at 10:00 am Central Time to join: WOW Friday Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 708 698 1579).
BEACON ONLINE PORTAL
Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation (BEACON) is a centralized resource for Illinois youth 5-18 years old and families seeking services for behavioral health needs. It's common for young people to struggle with behavioral and/or mental health challenges. Please know you are not alone, and neither is your child. Learn more here: BEACON Public Portal
ILLINOIS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING INSTITUTE - RFA OPEN
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) are excited to announce their partnership for the 2026 Illinois Supportive Housing Institute (the Institute). The 2026 Institute will include both in-person and virtual sessions aimed at addressing the statewide need for permanent supportive housing.
This Request for Applications (RFA) will select teams to participate in the 2026 Institute. Over the course of four months, the Institute will provide targeted training and technical assistance that will result in a supportive housing development proposal. The Institute will create a strong foundation for new supportive housing projects and help build strong teams equipped to navigate the complex process of developing housing with supportive services. Full announcement from Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) here: Applications are Open for the 2026 Illinois Supportive Housing Institute
CSH RFA RESOURCES:
TRAINING OPPORTUNITY:
Epilepsy Foundation Greater Southern IL - Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification Training provided free of charge. Request a training from Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois Community Education Specialist at (618) 236-2181 ext. 113 or email Will Rieger.
OTHER RESOURCE:
EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment - Are you a professional or adult family member who supports blind/low vision youth ages 14-22? If yes, consider joining us for our upcoming community of practice (CoP)! This CoP will include four virtual sessions hosted in January and February, all focused on employment. All sessions will meet at the same time, to be determined based on group availability. If you want to participate, fill out the interest form: EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment Community of Practice Interest Form: Employment
- Session 1: Identifying career goals
- Session 2: Exploring employment pathways
- Session 3: Building employment skills
- Session 4: Creating and accessing employment experiences in high school
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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