The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking to award a grant for the development and implementation, or further expansion, of a toll free abortion navigation hotline that will not only help navigate any patient who is looking for an abortion to the appropriate provider in Illinois, but that can provide education and logistical support, as needed. The grantee must have experience in abortion navigation services and will develop and maintain relationships with the abortion providers in the State and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The grantee shall promote use of the hotline by distributing information about it via low cost means to professional networks and utilize public and social media. The grantee will provide counseling and information to callers, including connecting them with the appropriate provider for their unique needs and circumstances, education on potential clinical issues prior to their appointment, and connection with support services, as needed. The grantee will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date, accurate resources on IL abortion providers, abortion support service providers, and will ensure a warm handoff (closed loop) referral takes place.
