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July 16, 2021
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 2021 IARF LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Earlier this week IARF shared the exciting news that registration is now open for both attendees and sponsors/exhibitors for the 2021 IARF Leadership Conference! On September 16th and 17th, IARF will host an in person conference and expo at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. This leadership event will be focused and engineered for organizational leadership teams. In the coming days and weeks IARF will share further details on the keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and facilitated discussions that are being engineered for maximum translation into post pandemic organizational recovery.  Our goal with the leadership conference format is to provide an opportunity for agency leadership teams to reconnect with each other and colleagues from around the state to learn from one another and share best practices together, in-person. Click here to learn more about the 2021 IARF Leadership Conference and register today! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 

FEDERAL DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE BILL FILED – COMPANION TO BCBJA
This week, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) filed the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act as a companion bill to the Better Care Better Jobs Act.  This latest workforce bill would provide up to $1 billion in grants to states and eligible entities to support the direct care workforce and family caregivers.  It is our understanding through our national partners at ANCOR that this bill is set to be included in the negotiations going forward on the $3.5 billion budget resolution and reconciliation process.

As with the BCBJA, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is listed as an original co-sponsor of this important legislation. We continue to thank Senators Duckworth, Durbin, as well as Congressional leaders Robin Kelly, Jan Schakowsky, Chuy Garcia, Lauren Underwood, Marie Newman, and Bobby Rush for their cosponsorship of the BCJA! (Contact: Josh Evans)
 

IARF TO SUPPORT BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL SPECIAL NEEDS CAUCUS
Earlier this week, IARF President & CEO Josh Evans was requested to serve as a primary partner to the Special Needs Caucus in the Illinois General Assembly, led by Senator Julie Morrison.  Primary partners will work with Caucus members to plan meetings & discussions with special guest speakers on important topics and trends, communicate with caucus members and key stakeholders, and consult on key legislative initiatives.  Senator Morrison and members of the caucus will be crucial leaders in the months and years ahead on issues and priorities affecting community-based services and supports for persons with I/DD. It will be an honor for the Association to provide support to the caucus going forward.
 

IARF JULY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN SPRINGFIELD NEXT WEDNESDAY
Next Wednesday July 21st, IARF will host our regularly scheduled Meeting of the Membership, Committee and Board Meetings in-person at the IARF offices in Springfield. Please note, meetings will remain available on Zoom for those attending virtually. For those who would like to attend in-person, we encourage you to join us. The day will offer an opportunity to connect with fellow members, network and simply catch up.  If you plan on attending in-person, we ask that you RSVP your attendance in advance to help us align with the in-person meeting protocols. In addition, our first meeting will be limited to a 50-person capacity. Click here to let us know where you will be attending in July. We hope you can join us in Springfield! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 

DDD ANNOUNCES ACL RESPITE GRANT
The Division recently announced a five-year $1.3 million dollar Lifespan Respite Care Enhancement Grant from the Administration on Community Living (ACL) in partnership with the Illinois Respite Coalition. The grant will engage respite providers across age and disability to share information, collect data and expand outreach. The grant will allow for the development of caregiver training opportunities, statewide outreach and communications strategies and materials and emergency respite options. At the end of the grant the division has expressed hope to have a better understanding of respite needs and desert areas across age and disability, with an equity lens. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

THEY DESERVE MORE DSP WAGE SURVEY
The They Deserve More Coalition (TDM) has released a DSP Wage Survey.  They are asking providers from across the state to complete the survey by July 30th.  The goal of the survey is collect information from provider agencies related to DSP wages and other agency cost pressures that can be utilized when discussing wage related issues with legislators.   (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

PUNS UPDATE
The Division released a Final Information Bulletin outlining the changes the Division made in fall 2019 to the PUNS selection process. These changes were primarily to the PUNS categories:  (1) Seeking Services and (2) Planning for Services. In response to several questions about these categories, the Division has provided the following clarifications: 
  • Seeking Services Category:  Individuals with a developmental disability who currently or in the near-term need or want supports and services. 
  • Planning for Services:  Individuals who do not currently or in the near-term need or want supports and services but may in the future. 
Additionally, PUNS letters were mailed to families on Monday of this week.  The Division has made significant progress towards reducing time spent waiting for services.  With the letters that were sent past Monday, no individual is currently waiting longer than 57 months for services. (Contact: Beth Owens)

Products │ Services │ Solutions
FINAL FUNDS MANAGEMENT IB POSTED
A final version of the Individual Funds Management IB was posted this week.  Providers are encouraged to review the final revision on this Information Bulletin as it provides clarification in many areas where concerns were raised when this IB was in draft form.  IARF expresses their ongoing appreciation to the Division for allowing stakeholder input of IB’s in draft form.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

DHS-DMH 590 NOFO CRISIS RESPONSE GRANTS UPDATE
This past week IARF, along with our colleagues in CBHA and IABH, attended a state-wide call with DHS Secretary Grace Hou. The Secretary requested patience from the provider community as it continues to implement the FY22 Budget for the department. Conversations between DHS and the Governor’s Office continue regarding the potential for additional funding for the 590 Crisis Response Grants. Also of note, the Secretary indicated both SUPR and DMH are working towards synergy in services and service funding.  
 
More information from DHS on funding of the 590 grants, as well as next steps with IARF advocacy efforts, should be forthcoming next week. Thanks to all for your continued dedication. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

NOMINATE A DSP DOING AMAZING WORK
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a special and essential role in supporting individuals receiving I/DD services, empowering them to lead independent and meaningful lives. This year for DSP Recognition Week, Foothold Technology invites you to participate with us as we extend our gratitude to DSPs everywhere. We are building a digital recognition board and we’re collecting stories. Nominate a DSP you believe is doing amazing work, and we’ll feature them on our recognition board during DSP Recognition Week - September 12-18. We’ll also send them a $5 Starbucks gift card to say thanks for the great work they do. Click here to nominate a DSP today! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 

ANCOR: ICF WEBINAR SERIES; IT ALL BEGINS WITH ASSESSMENT 8/18/21 - 9/1/21
ANCOR is offering up an ICFDD specific Webinar Series. This three-hour workshop will teach ICF staff to rethink the Functional Assessment and Individual Program Plan processes within the ICF/IID program. IARF wanted to share the link with other members who may be interested, or may have staff that are interested in attending. As a reminder, as part of you IARF membership, you are AUTOMATICALLY granted ANCOR Membership! IARF will also be in attendance on the Webinar. See you there! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

HFS RELEASES PUBLIC NOTICE ON ARPA HCBS ENHANCED FMAP SPENDING PLAN AND NARRATIVE
Earlier today, HFS released the American Rescue Plan Act Home and Community Based Services enhanced FMAP Initial Spending Plan and Narrative. This document is the state of Illinois’ spending plan on HCBS and contains an analysis on enhanced federal match the state will receive as a result of federal legislation, ARPA. The report features detailed fiscal analysis of the spending plan, as well as a narrative that includes Public Comment from a variety of stakeholders. If you are interested in the state budget and state spending on HCBS, then this document is for you. Reach out if you have any questions! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH RESOURCES: NATIONAL COUNCIL
Throughout Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the National Council is sharing resources, tools and learning opportunities to keep members of the BH community informed. IARF thought we would shar a few: (Contact: Luis Andrade)
DDD Information Bulletins
DDD Communications
HFS Provider Notices
Thank you to our 2020 IARF Virtual Conference Sponsors! 
Josh Evans - President & CEO  - jevans@iarf.org
Beth Owens - Vice President for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Policy - bowens@iarf.org
Luis Andrade - Vice President of Health & Long-Term Care Policy - landrade@iarf.org
Maggie Henley - Director of Member Services - mhenley@iarf.org

(217) 801-9303 │ www.iarf.org
 
 






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