Asthma Home Visit Collaboration

The Asthma Home Visit Collaboration (AHVC) grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), specifically through its Office of Health Promotion. This program is designed to align with national public health priorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative Controlling Childhood Asthma and Reducing Emergencies and the EXHALE Technical Package. The program reflects the state’s broader mandate under the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law to improve health outcomes and reduce preventable hospitalizations, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children with asthma. The primary purpose of this grant is to improve childhood asthma outcomes and reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations by supporting evidence-based home visiting interventions. Grantees are expected to implement a coordinated set of EXHALE strategies, including asthma self-management education, reduction of environmental triggers, smoking cessation support, and improved care coordination. Programs must deliver services either in person or virtually and tailor interventions to the cultural and social context of the communities served. The initiative emphasizes collaboration across sectors, including healthcare providers, schools, community-based organizations, and housing services, to address both medical and social determinants of health. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities necessary for program implementation, including personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual services, and training. However, strict restrictions apply. Funds cannot be used for political or religious purposes, fundraising, research, incentives, construction, or out-of-state travel, among other prohibited uses. All expenditures must comply with federal cost principles and be necessary, reasonable, and allocable to the program. Grantees are required to maintain detailed financial records and adhere to audit and reporting requirements, including quarterly progress reports aligned with national asthma performance measures. Eligibility for this program is limited to nonprofit organizations that meet specific state requirements. Applicants must complete prequalification through the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act system, maintain an active Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov registration, and demonstrate financial and organizational compliance. While the applicants are organizations, the intended beneficiaries are children with asthma and their caregivers. The program encourages partnerships with healthcare systems, schools, and community organizations to expand reach and effectiveness. The application process requires submission through the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Electronic Grants Administration and Management System. Applicants must complete all required registrations prior to submission and follow detailed instructions provided through the system. Proposals are evaluated using a 100-point scoring rubric that considers program design, work plan, budget, and alignment with health equity objectives. Applicants must also address health equity impacts explicitly in their proposals. Successful applicants receive a Notice of State Award and must execute a Uniform Grant Agreement to begin the funding period. The grant operates on a defined timeline, with a performance period running from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Applications must be submitted by the specified deadline, with awards anticipated to be announced in June prior to the start of the funding period. The program appears to operate on an annual cycle, as evidenced by consistent funding allocations across multiple fiscal years. Grantees are expected to participate in quarterly meetings, annual in-person events, and ongoing evaluation activities throughout the grant period, contributing to a statewide collaborative learning community focused on improving asthma outcomes.

Align proposal with health equity checklist and demonstrate strong cross-sector partnerships and measurable asthma outcomes