590 Crisis Care System

The 590 Crisis Care System grant is a competitive funding opportunity administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), specifically through its Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR). This grant aims to support and expand the state's Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) services under the broader framework of the Illinois Unified Crisis Continuum (UCC). The program is aligned with the Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) and SAMHSA's 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care. It seeks to provide accessible, team-based, on-demand crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies across Illinois, regardless of their insurance or payment status. Through this initiative, IDHS will distribute approximately $54 million in federal and state funds to an estimated 60 grantees. Each grant will range from $150,000 to $2,000,000. The performance period will begin on July 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2027, with the possibility of two one-year renewals contingent on performance and available funding. The grant supports the provision of 24/7/365 MCR services, including crisis assessment, de-escalation, safety planning, transportation, and up to 30 days of follow-up care. These services must be delivered by a team consisting of a qualified Mental Health Professional and a Certified Peer Support Specialist, with additional access to substance use professionals as needed. Eligible applicants include government entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, provided they are Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) or Behavioral Health Clinics (BHCs) approved to deliver crisis services under Illinois Medicaid Rehabilitation Option (MRO) standards. Applicants must also meet registration and prequalification requirements, including SAM.gov registration, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and good standing with relevant oversight agencies. They must be able to serve a full Designated Service Area (DSA) and apply separately for each DSA they propose to cover. Multiple applications are permitted if an organization seeks to serve more than one DSA. Applicants are required to submit a detailed application packet by March 5, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. This includes the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, a program narrative not exceeding 10 pages, a completed and signed budget in the CSA Tracking System, a conflict of interest disclosure, and (optionally) an advance payment request form. Budgets must align with program objectives, and indirect costs are permitted with a valid election or negotiation through the Centralized Indirect Cost Rate System. While pre-application materials like a letter of intent are not required, a technical assistance session is offered on February 20, 2026, though attendance is not mandatory. Evaluation will be conducted by IDHS reviewers and will consider need, capacity, quality of proposed services, data collection methods, and alignment with equity and accessibility priorities. Reviewers will also evaluate applicants’ ability to implement culturally responsive outreach and sustain robust partnerships with first responders and local behavioral health systems. Required training, staffing, crisis response protocols, documentation practices, and data reporting standards are detailed extensively in the NOFO. Awardees must comply with federal and state cost principles and are prohibited from supplanting other sources of payment for eligible services. Interested applicants can access the full application materials and instructions through the IDHS Mental Health Grants portal. All inquiries must be submitted via email to Rob Putnam at [email protected] by February 26, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Central Time. Final award notifications are anticipated on or after July 1, 2026. While not subject to Executive Order 12372 intergovernmental review, this opportunity requires full compliance with all IDHS grant administration procedures.

Ensure submission to correct email and budget signed in CSA; incomplete applications will not be reviewed.