Announcements

Announcements

These are the latest announcements from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. You can click on the heading of the Announcement below for a more detailed view.

HCBS Final Settings Rule & IL Statewide Transition Plan (STP)
In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final regulations that pertain to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. The regulations require that any setting that provides Medicaid services demonstrate that characteristics of a community-based, rather than an institutional setting, and the regulations provide guidance to distinguish the two. While every person gets different services that are unique to them, the new rules emphasize that community participation and integration should be the standard and that everyone should have access to more than one community. Illinois is one of five states that still does not have approved statewide transition plan and per the federal government, the HCBS Settings Rule must be implemented by March 2022. Background on the rule and resources for self-advocates can be found at this link: https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/SiteCollectionDocuments/PNforTransitionPlan2020FINAL.pdf The revised Statewide Transition Plan is accessible through the HFS website: https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalClients/HCBS/Transition/Pages/TransitionPlan.aspx#Subhead6 WE NEED YOUR HELP to ensure that the settings rule is implemented fully and the state provides funding to support transition of HCBS services to meet the settings rule. Date Posted: 2/27/2020
ICDD Seeks Public Comment on 2022-2026 State Plan
The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is seeking public comment on the draft goals and objectives for its 2022-2026 State Plan. This is an opportunity for the public to provide input on the activities and policy work that we will conduct over the next five years. Anyone interested in disability issues in Illinois — including self-advocates, family members of people with developmental disabilities (DD), service providers, and others — can participate and share their ideas. The deadline to provide comments is March 29, 2021. Date Posted: 1/19/2021

Medical Advocacy: Understanding Rights and Interactions with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Funding Decision Overview
Congratulations to the three projects that will be funded under the medical advocacy initiative: The University of Illinois at Chicago – Institute for Disability and Human Development (IDHD) Ray Graham Association EP!C Date Posted: 7/17/2019
Community Cares Project Funding Decision Overview
Public Act 100-1129, effective 1/1/19, allows for a county, municipality, or township to create a local referendum paid through a real estate tax levy to fund local developmental disabilities services overseen by a Developmental Disabilities board, also knows as a 377 board. This legislation allows for smaller governmental units, such as municipalities and townships, to create these referenda whereas before it was only available at the county level. Date Posted: 7/17/2019
PUNS Selection Update
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) created an email account for people to find out the status for being selected off the PUNS list. Name, birthdate, and "please tell me where I am in getting selected off of PUNS" can be sent to DHS.DDD.PUNS@illinois.gov. Date Posted: 8/26/2019
Sibling Support Project
The Sibling Leadership Network has been funded to educate siblings, parents and professionals through provision of an array of new resources. The Illinois state sibling chapter, Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters (SIBSS) will gain capacity for the future. Date Posted: 11/1/2019
Going Home Advocacy Day
Save the Date for the 7th Annual Going Home Advocacy Day Join hundreds of self-advocates and allies in speaking up and speaking out in support of community living for people with disabilities. Thursday, May 14, 2020 Illinois State Capitol Rotunda in Springfield 8:30am (registration begins) – 2:30pm Rally begins at 11am with lunch immediately after Date Posted: 1/29/2020
COVID 19 Support Persons in Health Care Facilities (including hospitals)
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) clarifies that health care facilities (including hospitals) should allow patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or cognitive impairments to be accompanied by a support person determined to be essential to their care. Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) may require accommodations in a health care facility that include permitting the presence of a support person, such as a guardian, family member, caregiver, or paid support worker, provided that essential precautions can be taken to contain the spread of infection. https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27896/documents/COVID19/20200515_IDPH_SupportPersons_HCF.pdf Date Posted: 6/5/2020
ICDD 5-Year State Plan Public Survey
ICDD wants to hear from you! The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is looking closely at Illinois and the needs of every person with a developmental disability to be able to live a healthy and happy life in their community. The Council’s activities and funding opportunities are guided by our current 5-Year State Plan (YSP). We are looking ahead to what should be in our next 5-YSP which begins in the fall of 2021. Therefore, ICDD invites you to share your thoughts with us by taking a short survey (5 minutes). Take the survey! Date Posted: 7/9/2020
ICDD FUNDS PROVIDERS TO MOVE TO COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT
ICDD has funded two projects under its Competitive Pay and Meaningful Days Call for Investment! Congratulations to Anixter Center and Envision Unlimited! These will be 2-year projects with an investment of $189,040. The purpose of this initiative is to improve the employment outcomes of people with Developmental Disabilities (DD) who are currently receiving subminimum wages by supporting providers to build, expand and sustain effective skills, capacity and competencies related to integrated employment, integrated meaningful day activities, and person-centered services. This initiative is also in response to the City of Chicago's minimum wage ordinance which accelerates minimum wage increase and removes the allowance of sub-minimum wage by 2021. Date Posted: 8/17/2020