Voucher Respite

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), through its Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is offering funding for the Voucher Respite program. This program is designed to provide short-term, flexible, family-driven respite services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are not currently receiving any Home and Community-Based Waiver funded services. The grant opportunity, numbered 27-444-24-1511-01, supports the issuance of vouchers to families that enable them to arrange their own respite care, allowing a greater degree of autonomy and customization in the services they receive. The goal is to reduce caregiver stress and sustain individuals with I/DD in their home and community settings by supporting non-waiver, non-traditional respite models. Funding for the Voucher Respite program totals approximately $1,792,100 in state resources for the grant cycle beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. Award amounts are negotiable, and the average award from previous years was approximately $256,014.27. While a specific number of awards is not predetermined, the program is competitive and open to both new and existing applicants. Successful grantees may be eligible for two subsequent one-year renewals, contingent on performance and appropriations. Indirect costs are allowable, subject to approval and the grantee's election of an indirect cost rate via the state system. Voucher Respite services may be reimbursed to families or directly paid to providers for support such as in-home caregivers, special recreation programs, or supervised outings for individuals with I/DD. Certain expenses are unallowable, including medical evaluations, personal items, or services that fall under educational institutions’ responsibilities. Eligibility is limited to individuals with I/DD who are not receiving waiver or state-funded respite services. Services may be used in both planned and unplanned situations, including emergencies or crises like caregiver illness, abuse, or neglect. Providers must adhere to specified guidelines, including reporting, intake procedures, and staff certification requirements. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience serving individuals with I/DD and the ability to fulfill all programmatic requirements. Only one application per agency is allowed. Entities must meet all registration and prequalification requirements in the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal and be in good standing with SAM.gov, the Illinois Secretary of State, and other relevant registries. Disqualifications for prequalification issues or missed deadlines are strictly enforced. The program encourages diverse and inclusive service provision, emphasizing equitable access and cultural responsiveness. The application process opened on March 23, 2026, and closes on April 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. All application materials, including narratives, budgets, and required forms, must be submitted electronically via email and through the state’s CSA system. A technical assistance session is scheduled for April 3, 2026, at 1:45 p.m. CT, though attendance is not mandatory. Award notifications are expected around June 12, 2026, and grant activities may begin no earlier than July 1, 2026. Interested applicants must submit a program narrative, uniform grant application, conflict of interest disclosure, and budget documents as specified in the NOFO. Evaluation criteria include organizational capacity, quality of proposed services, alignment with program goals, need analysis, and budget justification. The department reserves the right to make final award decisions based on merit review, geographical needs, and past performance. Contact for technical or application questions is Shannon Dyson at [email protected].

Ensure program aligns tightly with stated goals; maintain admin costs under 10%; submit all forms electronically by deadline.