ICF/DD RATES POSTED TO THE HFS WEBSITE
ICF/IID and MC/DD rates have been posted to the HFS website. Separate rate files are posted for 3/17/20, 6/1/20, 7/1/20 and 9/1/20. HFS will post rate files for 8/1/19 and 1/1/21 this week, along with files for Day Service providers and recently processed Capital Rate changes. The 1/21 rates are being entered into MMIS now and will be available for claims pricing. This Division reports that all claims that came in during the last week will be adjusted to reflect the new rates. (Contact: Beth Owens)
ENVISION IL RESOURCE CENTER NOW AVAILABLE
Envision Illinois works to unite people with disabilities and Deaf people, disability and domestic violence services to achieve safety, justice and healing. Among people with disabilities and Deaf people, there is a high prevalence of domestic violence yet low numbers served at domestic violence agencies. Their vision is to create a system in Illinois in which service providers recognize domestic violence in the lives of Deaf people and people with disabilities and respond in a trauma-informed manner.
By creating collaboration among partners, Envision Illinois can be a resource to you and to your agency. Envision Illinois has created a web-based Resource Corner that connects people/agencies to a myriad of resources that will help them improve their response to violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people.
Click here to access the Resource Corner and a screenshot of the types of resources that have been developed thus far. Be advised that resources are continually being added to this webpage, so check back frequently to see new additions.
Please share this information widely amongst your professional networks in order to bridge the gap between the prevalence and numbers served. Envision Illinois invites you to share any feedback with Teresa Tudor, Envision Illinois Project Director, at 217.558.6192 (office) or Teresa.Tudor@illinois.gov (email) on the Resource Corner that would further improve our systems’ response to these survivors. (Contact: Dan Frey)
DHS RELEASES RFP FOR DRS NAVIGATOR AGENCY
The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS/DRS) is seeking qualified providers through an open bid to secure the services rendered by an agency for the equitable improvement of services to disenfranchised populations. We are seeking bids from agencies that have a history of providing services to individuals with disabilities that belong to the targeted populations they are seeking to serve. These agencies must be able to identify an individual within their organization that can serve as a Navigator for these populations as they progress through IDHS/DRS services. This Navigator will work to support the IDHS/DRS counselor in the provision of services for these individuals.
To submit an open bid to this call for proposals, please follow the link provided below. All offering agencies must submit their applications in electronic format. No paper applications will be accepted.
To Register: BidBuy (illinois.gov)
Direct link to Navigator B-18765: State of Illinois - General Services - Bid Acknowledgement
Direct link to Pricing B-19775: State of Illinois - General Services - Bid Acknowledgement
(Contact: Dan Frey)
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES VIRTUAL BRIEFING FOR FY 22 BUDGET PROPOSAL 2/17
Deputy Governor Sol Flores, and leaders from the Departments of Human Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Public Health, Aging and Children and Family Services will provide a brief overview of the FY22 proposed budget – immediately followed by a Q&A session on Wednesday, February 17 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. This will be available online via a live web stream (through Cisco WebEx). Log in details will be sent by email and publicized soon.
This platform is accessible to participants with disabilities. The live stream will include real time captioning. A sign language interpreter will be participating. For other accommodation requests, please notify DHS.AuxiliaryAids@illinois.gov .
Note: There will be limited time for questions and answers during the presentation. Please send questions you may have in advance to Jennie.Melton@illinois.gov using the subject line “FY22 Budget”. Questions received before, during and after this meeting will be compiled into a Q&A document, posted online and shared with all meeting participants no later than 48 hours after the briefing. (Contact Dan Frey)
IL DRUG & THERAOEUTICS BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25
The IL Drug & Therapeutics Board will conduct its first open meeting on February 25 from 8-11 AM. This is the board that makes recommendations to the state on which medications to include on the Medicaid preferred drug list (PDL). For information on the agenda and how to join the proceedings, please click here. (Contact: Dan Frey)
IDHS-DDD TO RELEASE PROVIDER SELF-ASSESSMENT NEXT WEEK
On January 27, 2021, the Division released information regarding the status of Illinois’ Statewide Transition Plan (STP) as it relates to the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule. Early next week providers will be receiving an additional communication that includes a self-assessment survey. All provider organizations will be required to complete the survey for each site they oversee, including individually-controlled and agency-controlled CILA sites. This survey must be completed and submitted no later than March 15, 2021. The Division will be hosting webinars in the coming weeks to explain the process and answer provider questions. (Contact: Beth Owens)
IDPH NEWS RELEASE: MORE THAN 300 NEW COVID-19 VACCINATION LOCATIONS ADDED
IDPH released the following News Release, stating that there are more than 200 NEW COVID-19 Vaccination locations added all over the state of Illinois: The full release can be seen HERE. New locations are as follows:
- CVS – 4 locations
- Hy-Vee – 16 locations
- Jewel-Osco – 143 locations
- Kroger – 24 locations
- Mariano’s – 31 locations
- Meijer – 8 locations
- Walgreens – 520 locations
- Walmart – 8 locations
Please reach out if you have any additional questions. Thanks! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
IL SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE HOLDS SUBJECT MATTER HEARING ON STATE COVID-19 VACCINATION EFFORTS
Yesterday, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Chaired by Senator Julie Morrison (D-29) held a virtual Subject Matter Hearing, to discuss all things COVID-19 Vaccinations. In summary, there are not enough vaccines being shipped to the state of Illinois to meet current demand and LHDs need more support.
Chairwoman Morrison stated there would be another subsequent hearing regarding the roll-out of the COVID-19 Vaccine in a few weeks as several members had many questions, but time did not permit the committee to conclude it’s work. IARF submitted the following Written Testimony to members of the committee and staff. Please reach out if you have any additional questions. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
WEBINAR: DDD UPDATE – FEB 18th
The Division is hosting a webinar on February 18th at 1:00 pm. Director Stark will present a general update that includes the Statewide Transition Plan, Ligas Consent Decree, Rates Work and Employment Expansion. This is the first webinar in a series of planned webinars from the Division. You can register for the webinar HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)
MINDFULNESS WINTER SERIES
The CBM (Cognition, Behavior and Mindfulness) clinic will be offering a month-long introduction to mindfulness program for children, teens, and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. These will be virtual, group sessions which will meet twice a week. These sessions will be free of charge and are beginning now! Click here to check learn more. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE WEBINAR MARCH 11
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion will present a webinar on "Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace" on March 11 from 2:00-3:00 pm. ET. The webinar will explore strategies for supporting workers' mental health, including during COVID-19. Speakers will include ODEP Senior Policy Advisor Nakisha Pugh, who will discuss the "4 A’s" framework for a mental health-friendly workplace, and Merck Associate Director of Benefits and Wellbeing Diana Gulick, who will discuss her company's employee mental health efforts.
(Contact: Dan Frey)
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