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July 9, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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URGE ILLINOIS’ CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SUPPORT BETTER CARE BETTER JOBS ACT
Last week we informed members of the high points of the Better Care Better Jobs Act, legislation in the U.S. Senate and Congress aimed at making a significant investment in HCBS services over the next 10 years.  As the Summer moves along, it is our hope to build support in Congress so that this legislation is included in the next reconciliation package.  As such, we are asking members to contact their members of Congress to ensure they are co-sponsoring and supporting this crucial legislation.  We note proudly that both U.S. Senators Durbin and Duckworth are co-sponsors of S.2210, and that Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky and Robin Kelly, as well as Congressman Chuy Garcia are co-sponsors of H.R 4131.
 
Please take this link to contact your member of Congress and urge their co-sponsorship and support! (Contact: Josh Evans)
 

IARF JULY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN SPRINGFIELD
On 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)
 

2021 DSP RECOGNITION WEEK: PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER DSPs
During one week in September, the human services field sets aside time to acknowledge the important work of direct support professionals. National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week is often celebrated through employee luncheons, award events, raffles, and more. While these efforts are very admirable and certainly make DSPs feel appreciated, the systemic issues affecting this essential workforce also demand longer-lasting initiatives that make a more deep-rooted impact on DSPs – beyond just the one week.
 
To help facilitate this need, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership are partnering once again to share programs that have far-reaching effects on DSPs and aim to confront the most critical concerns such as turnover, retention, wages, benefits, and professional development. If you are interested in sharing your program or to learn more information, please follow this LINK. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

PUNS LETTERS ARE BEING SENT OUT
In FY 21, 710 individuals entered into HCBS services from the PUNs waiting list.  Later this month, 1593 PUNS selection letters will be mailed out inviting individuals to open services in FY 22.  These individuals were previously notified and received preselection letters in FY21.  All eligible adults in seeking services with a time waiting of 57 months or more are included in this selection meeting the current reasonable pace requirement in the Ligas Consent Decree. 
 
Additionally in FY22, the Division plans to send out another round of PUNs preselection notices to let individuals know available they can anticipate being selected in summer FY23.  Any individual on PUNS can check their PUNS status and anticipated selection year at any time by emailing www.DHS.DDD.PUNS@illinois.gov.   
(Contact: Beth Owens)
 

RULE 116 FUNCTIONAL LITERACY COMMITTEE
The provider community has raised concerns regarding the impact of functional literacy testing at a time when workforce is an ongoing concern.  In response to these concerns and due to the previous version of the TABE no longer being published, the Division is willing to consider alternative testing options for functional literacy. 
 
DDD is planning to convene a committee of community representatives and internal DDD staff to review options and present functional literacy recommendations for consideration by IDHS.  Interested participants must be able to attend all committee meetings.  They will be held via zoom from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon on July 22, 29 and August 5.  They must also have access to a small pool of agency DSP staff that are able to complete functional literacy assessments during the above timeframe. 

Interested agency representatives should submit their name, agency, title, email address and a summary of experience with Rule 116 functional literacy testing to Monica Jibben at monica.jibben@illinois.gov by Tuesday, July 13, 2021.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

DDD INFORMATIONAL BULLETINS
The following Information Bulletins have recently been released in final draft from: The following Information Bulletins are currently posted in DRAFT form and open for comment: IARF membership has met to review 3 of the 5 bulletins currently in draft form.  The last two will be reviewed next week.  Members who have been unable to participate but have comments on the DRAFT IB’s should contact and IARF staff.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR INCOMPASS MICHIGAN 2021 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
IARF is partnering with other associations across the Great Lakes region for the 2021 Leadership Conference, July 19-23. This is a unique opportunity for our members to connect with your peers from provider agencies in IL, IN, OH, MI and WI. Live and pre-recorded sessions will be available virtually on various sessions relevant to today's emerging and experienced leaders. You can also connect at Happy Hour and dive into deeper conversations during C-Suite Coffee Hours each morning with peer led roundtables.

Sessions include
  • Re-Building a Direct Support Workforce in a Post-Pandemic Environment
  • Social Enterprises
  • Enhancing Remote Service Delivery: The avail® Pilot
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • The Nonprofit Olympics: What It Takes for Nonprofits to Win a Gold Medal
  • Emerging Trends in Disability Employment
  • Changes in CARF Standards Since 2020
  • How Coaching can Develop and Retain Top Talent Through the Chaos
Learn more and register at https://incompassmi.silkstart.com/events/2021-great-lakes-region-leadership-conference
 

Products │ Services │ Solutions
PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED NEW INCENTIVES FOR FRONTLINE STATE EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED
Governor J.B. Pritzker is launching a new pilot program offering state employees extra incentives to get vaccinated. The program will offer a range of incentives to state employees who work in direct care facilities and received at least one dose of the vaccine. Dozens of frontline employees will be chosen in drawings conducted by the Illinois Lottery and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), along with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ), and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). More information on the new incentives can be seen HERE.
 
IARF has reached out to DHS to ascertain whether DSPs are included in this latest round of incentives. We will notify IARF membership once DHS has responded. Please reach out if you have any questions. Thanks! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

STATE OF ILLINOIS FINISHES FY21 WITH ALMOST $2 BILLION IN SURPLUS FUNDS
State of Illinois revenues for the just-concluded FY21 finished $1.9 billion higher than the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) projected during the General Assembly’s Spring legislative session this past May. This is due to consumer confidence as the Pandemic winds down, vaccination safety, and economic stimulus payments. IARF will continue to monitor the state’s fiscal condition and advocate for proper funding of membership priorities. Please reach out if you have any questions. Thanks! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

INTELLECTABILITY TO HOST VIRTUAL PERSON-CENTERED THINKING TRAINING
Change the culture of your entire organization and learn life-changing, person-centered skills. Embrace person-centered services and enhance the quality of life of those you support by attending IntellectAbility’s 3-day comprehensive and interactive Zoom Person-Centered Training.
 
Virtual Person-Centered Thinking Training is an 18-hour training scheduled for six hours a day and will be available the following dates:
  • July 27-29, 2021
  • August 10-12, 2021
  • August 24-26, 2021
Limited seating is available! Click here to learn more and register today. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 

THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON HIRING, RETAINING, & PAYING EMPLOYEES WEBINAR JULY 13
Join the Horton Group on July 13th for The Impacts of Covid-19 on Hiring, Retaining, and Paying Employees webinar. Horton’s Board Chair, Glenn Horton, discusses why hiring is so different than previous downturns with historian, economist, and demographer Neil Howe. Topics to be discussed include:
  • Why is it so hard to fill open positions?  Is it just unemployment benefits?  When will the situation improve?
  • Why are quit rates so high?
  • Is this a short or long-term situation?
  • How important is work from home?  What if we demand our employees return to the workplace?
  • What is the long-term impact on commuting and large urban workplaces?
  • Is wage inflation “transitory” or should we expect higher wage costs long term?
  • What will be the impact on overall inflation?
Click here to learn more and register. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 

JCAR ADOPTS ICFDD RATE INCREASE RULES
In today’s JCAR Register, the following was included:
 
Summary and Purpose of Rulemaking: The adopted amendment 89 Ill. Adm. Code 153.125 implements medical assistance program reimbursement rate increases for facilities licensed under ID/DD Community Care Act and the MC/DD Act as required by P.A. 101-0636.
 
It is IARFs understanding that these adopted Rules are implementing rate increases associated with the FY21 Budget Implementation Bill (BIMP). Please let us know if you have any questions. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

DMH – 590 CRISIS GRANTS COMMUNICATIONS ONGOING
IARF has been working with DHS-DMH, with direction from the BH Committee, regarding the ongoing issuance of the state’s 590 Crisis Grants. Currently, DMH is reviewing proposals submitted by providers. Many providers have already received correspondence from DMH regarding the status of their submitted proposals.
 
IARF has also been coordinating with CBHA and IABH on next steps and appropriate advocacy as finalization of these grants is due at the end of this month. Conversations are ongoing. Stay tuned! (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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