Family Advocate Program

The Family Advocate Program is a state-funded initiative administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). It is designed to provide comprehensive, culturally responsive, and accessible support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Specifically, it focuses on those selected for services through the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) List in Illinois. The program's primary mission is to connect families with Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver-funded options, such as Home-Based Support Services (HBSS) and Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) services, thereby enabling individuals with I/DD to live full and integrated lives of their choosing in their homes and communities. Rooted in a family-to-family support model, the Family Advocate Program aims to facilitate service navigation and reduce systemic barriers by equipping families and individuals with timely, relevant information about their rights and service options. The program also serves as a conduit for raising awareness of systemic challenges faced by individuals attempting to access DDD services. It promotes collaboration with Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agencies and other stakeholders to streamline pre-admission and early notification processes, helping newly selected individuals access their services more efficiently. Grantees are expected to be deeply knowledgeable about I/DD community services, natural supports, and best practices in person-centered planning. The scope of the grant includes structured, measurable deliverables and performance metrics. Quarterly performance reporting is required and must include a detailed list of individuals served, types of outreach conducted, events and trainings hosted, and satisfaction survey data. Each month, the grantee must host a minimum of three presentations statewide (in person or online), issue a monthly communication/newsletter, and conduct at least one quarterly online seminar. Additionally, the grantee is required to host one statewide conference per fiscal year in partnership with key stakeholders. All outreach must be ADA-accessible and linguistically appropriate, with Spanish and other translations as needed. Surveys must be distributed post-service to collect participant feedback, and programs must maintain a minimum satisfaction threshold of 80%. Eligible applicants for this program are nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated experience working with I/DD populations and have the infrastructure to meet the outlined objectives. Applicants must also be pre-qualified through the Illinois GATA portal prior to submission. The application process requires a Program Narrative, Budget and Budget Narrative entered into the CSA system, a Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, and a Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure. Submissions must follow strict formatting requirements and be delivered in a single PDF via email to DHS.DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov by March 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Evaluation of submissions includes a merit review but also accounts for geographic distribution, community need, and past performance. Funding decisions are ultimately made by IDHS. Grant awards are issued for a 36-month term, with a current award ceiling of $500,000 and no required match. Award notification will follow within 45–60 days after the application deadline, and successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA) which must be signed and returned to proceed with the Uniform Grant Agreement (UGA). Although pre-award costs are not allowed, indirect costs may be included in the budget if supported by an approved NICRA. Payments to grantees are typically made on a reimbursement basis, although alternate methods such as advance or working capital payment can be requested. Risk assessments will be conducted for successful applicants and may lead to conditions placed on the grant. The program is currently funded through state appropriations and has increased in recent years, with $500,000 awarded in FY25 and FY26. The Family Advocate Program reflects Illinois’s commitment to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in accessing the services they need to thrive.

Applications must meet all formatting and documentation requirements; incomplete or incorrectly submitted packets are disqualified without review; use only the designated submission email.