Improving Blood Pressure Control Through Community-Clinical Linkages

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), through its Office of Performance Management, has released an initial funding opportunity titled Improving Blood Pressure Control Through Community-Clinical Linkages. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in Illinois and across the United States, with hypertension as a major contributing factor. According to recent state data, over 30 percent of adults reported being diagnosed with high blood pressure. The department recognizes the role of social determinants of health such as poverty, inadequate housing, systemic racism, and limited access to care as factors that worsen these outcomes. This program seeks to strengthen community-clinical linkages, defined as structured partnerships between healthcare providers and community organizations, to improve health outcomes through coordinated support. The purpose of this grant is to work with community-based and community-focused organizations to identify and address social service and support needs for populations at highest risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension. Goals include building multidisciplinary partnerships to reduce disparities in blood pressure control, improving clinical and community-based interventions, and increasing referrals and utilization of social services. Expected outcomes include increased blood pressure control rates, reduced disparities among disproportionately affected populations, and improved identification of social determinants of health. The program will distribute up to three awards, each valued at $34,041, for a total of $102,124. Funding is provided through federal pass-through sources, specifically from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is available for projects conducted between July 1, 2025 and June 29, 2026. Funds may be used for personal services, contractual services, travel, and supplies directly tied to the program. Prohibited uses include political or religious purposes, lobbying, food, alcohol, construction, purchase of medical supplies or equipment, and other ineligible expenses. Awardees will be expected to submit quarterly reports, participate in collaborative learning sessions, and sustain activities beyond the funding period. Eligible applicants include community-based and community-focused organizations serving adults aged 18 and older. This includes nonprofits, faith-based organizations, senior centers, libraries, and food banks. Preference will be given to organizations working within designated geographic priority areas across Illinois, which include entire counties such as Alexander, Franklin, Knox, Marion, Massac, and Union, and specific cities or communities in counties such as Cook, Kane, Kankakee, Lake, Peoria, Rock Island, Sangamon, St. Clair, Will, and Winnebago. All applicants must complete registration and prequalification under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), maintain an active SAM.gov account, have an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and be in good fiscal and legal standing with the State of Illinois. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Illinois Department of Public Health’s EGrAMS system. The application period opens on August 18, 2025 and closes on September 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM. The anticipated award announcement date is October 21, 2025. Required application components include a project narrative, a work plan with implementation milestones, letters of commitment from clinical and community partners, a detailed budget, and a budget narrative. Applicants must describe how they will implement screenings, referrals, and data collection, as well as how they will track and sustain outcomes beyond the grant year. Applications will be reviewed competitively on a 100-point scale. The scope of work is worth 65 points, the work plan 25 points, and the budget 10 points. Successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA) via EGrAMS, and must provide signatures electronically and in hard copy. Appeals of the evaluation process are permitted but do not extend to funding decisions or scores. All grantees will be subject to standard administrative and policy requirements, including adherence to HIPAA compliance in data handling, restrictions on lobbying activities, and required participation in state-led evaluation efforts. For more information, applicants may contact Cara Barnett, Cardiovascular Health Program Manager, at 217-782-0759 or via email at cara.barnett@illinois.gov. The IDPH website idphgrants.com provides application materials, guidance for EGrAMS, and required forms including the Uniform State Grant Application, project narrative, budget, and budget narrative. No technical assistance session will be provided, but questions may be directed to the program manager. The deadline for final budget adjustments is May 15, 2026, and quarterly reports are due on October 15, 2025, January 15, 2026, April 15, 2026, and July 15, 2026.

Applicants should clearly document partnerships with clinical champions, provide detailed referral and data tracking processes, and demonstrate sustainability beyond the funding year