510-RTLR Regions The Living Room

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), through its Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, is offering the 510-RTLR Regions The Living Room grant to support crisis respite services across the state. This initiative is grounded in the philosophy that crises can be transformative opportunities for individuals facing behavioral health challenges. The program is particularly focused on reducing unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations by providing supportive, peer-led services in a non-clinical, safe, and inviting environment. These services are offered in what is known as a "Living Room" setting—a home-like space designed to promote calm, connection, and recovery for guests in crisis. The Living Room Program (LRP) offers support to individuals aged 18 and older who are experiencing behavioral health crises. Guests may access services voluntarily through self-referral or via referrals from emergency departments, first responders, or other crisis service partners. Services are intentionally non-coercive and person-centered, allowing guests the autonomy to decide the level of participation that aligns with their needs. The program provides a full continuum of support including peer welcomes, screenings for substance use and safety, referrals and linkages to community services, on-site peer support, transportation assistance, and short-term follow-up care. All these elements are designed to divert individuals from emergency rooms or jail systems and instead guide them toward recovery in a supportive environment. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs). To qualify, applicants must be able to operate a Living Room Program 24/7, 365 days a year, and ensure staffing includes at least two personnel at all times, one of whom must be a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). Additional staffing must be comprised of Mental Health Professionals or Peer Support Workers, with ongoing access to a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP). Training requirements are rigorous and include DBHR-approved programming and annual competency standards. The physical environment must reflect trauma-informed care principles, with separate private and communal spaces, soothing design elements, and capacity limitations that prevent residential overcrowding. Approximately $23.4 million in total program funding is expected to be distributed through this opportunity, with an estimated 24 grants ranging from $750,000 to $1.2 million. These awards are made using state funds. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Indirect costs are allowed, and grantees may apply the de minimis rate of up to 15% if they do not have a negotiated rate. The anticipated grant period is from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with potential for up to two one-year renewals depending on performance and appropriations. Pre-award costs are not permitted. Applications opened on February 2, 2026, and are due by March 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time. A non-mandatory technical assistance session will be held on February 11, 2026, and applicants are encouraged to register via the IDHS website. Submissions must include a completed Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, a program narrative for each site, a conflict of interest disclosure, and a fully approved budget via the CSA Tracking System. All materials must be emailed in PDF format to DHS.DBHR.GrantApp@Illinois.gov. Late applications or submissions to any address other than the one provided will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed based on merit, with criteria including community need, program design, agency capacity, data collection plans, and adherence to performance measures. IDHS may also consider factors such as geographic distribution and agency track record. Notifications of awards are expected around July 1, 2026, following the application and review process. Awardees must enter into a Uniform Grant Agreement and comply with reporting and monitoring requirements established by the IDHS. The program is not subject to the federal Executive Order 12372 Intergovernmental Review, and applicants should ensure compliance with all state-level registration, prequalification, and risk assessment requirements before submission.

Submit all documents as separate PDFs by the deadline; demonstrate staff readiness and 24/7 operations clearly.