Division of Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) are exceptionally underrepresented in the competitive integrated workforce. This underrepresentation is due to an array of factors, which present as barriers to community integration and full inclusion. As an Employment First state, Illinois recognizes that Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) shall be considered the first option, when serving persons with disabilities of working age. One factor contributing to this under representation is the prevalence of programs that pay individuals with I/DD Subminimum Wage. Subminimum Wage (SMW) is allowable through the use of Special Wage Certificates, issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). The Dignity in Pay Program will support capacity building, program transformation and implementation of best practice within provider agencies who hold 14(c) certificates. This program will aid in the phasing out of SMW for Individuals with I/DD through the expansion of opportunities for Individuals with I/DD to obtain and sustain CIE and access other inclusive and integrated services.

N/A

Dignity in Pay Act, HB0793 of the 103rd General Assembly. Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code (405 ILCS 5) Department of Human Services Act (20 ILCS 1305) Community Services Act (405 ILCS 30) Adult Protective Services Act (320 ILCS 20)

Illinois Administrative Code Part 7000 Grant Accountability and Transparency Act

The Dignity in Pay Program is intended to: 1. Support the creation of new opportunities and programs, grow organizational capacity, respond to the needs of individuals with I/DD across all geographic regions of Illinois, and support provider transformation, via training and technical assistance, as part of the overall goal to increase Competitive Integrated Employment for individuals with I/DD. 2. Support the responsible elimination of SMW activities and enhancing independence and quality of life of individuals with I/DD. The grant will do this through increased access to CIE and diverse, integrated Community Day Services (CDS). Increased access to these opportunities will result in greater integration in the community, increased earning capacity and development of new, or expansion of existing, skills and support networks. 3. Expand community-based opportunities for individuals with I/DD who are currently participating in, or at risk of participating in, Subminimum Wage activity. 4. Review of organizational protocols related to a determination of degree to which individuals are deemed disabled for the work to be performed will be completed quarterly. 5. Develop standard operating protocol and expectations for data input, tracking and review. 6. Develop organizational policies related to review of data (frequency, scope, by whom, for what purpose). 7. Enhance data collection and utilization by developing a new, or modify an existing, data tracking system designed to capture and appropriately disseminate individual and aggregate data related to CIE, integrated Community Day Services and SMW. Program Goals The Dignity in Pay Program should provide the following: 1. Develop new opportunities, programs, and grow capacity to respond to the needs of I/DD individuals in their geographic area; including, but not limited to, supported employment, customized employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and diverse day programs that support meaningful days, choice, and community integration. 2. Responsibly reduce the number of individuals with I/DD who participate in Illinois SMW to zero by December 31st, 2029. 3. Ensure provider organizations have adequate guidance to adjust business practices, with a primary emphasis on shifting away from models which promote facility based SMW, to models which promote sustainable integration, inclusion, and opportunities to engage in CIE. These adjustments must create meaningful community connections, through person centered and individualized planning and support. 4. Increase both the capacity to serve, and enrollment into, programs which promote CIE, and other integrated Community Day Services (CDS).

Yes

Deliverables Each quarter, the grantee will submit a Periodic Performance Report (PPR), which includes the following reporting requirements: 1. The grantee will develop, share, and refine, a multi-faceted Transition Plan that includes, but not limited to; SMW key indicators, enhanced staff capacity, participant assessment, enhanced data collection and utilization, alternative program models, and engagement with the business community. a. The grantee will provide a copy of the Transition Plan for approval showing key factors (1st quarter). b. After 1st quarter, provide a description of any refinements made to the Transition Plan leading to achievement of The Dignity in Pay goals. 2. The grantee will actively participate in an on-going Community of Practice (CoP), focused on sharing knowledge and experience, collective and individualized problem solving, deepening of expertise, development of networks, creation of new or distribution of existing resources and innovation. a. The grantee will provide a copy of new or existing resources developed for distribution. b. The grantee will provide information from CoP, and will provide the following: Date, topic, and outcome. 3. The grantee will provide activities, associated events, or meetings to individuals with I/DD and their families about the Dignity in Pay Program. These may, include, but not limited to, community of practice, training sessions, agency specific check-ins, and so on. a. The grantee will provide the date of the meeting/event, location of the meeting/event, the reason for the meeting/event, and who attended the meeting/event. 4. The grantee will identify and share data and information related to the key indicators of the Subminimum Wage activities. a. The grantee will provide the individual’s full name, date of birth, gender identity, race/ethnicity, county of residence, time spent engaged in SMW activity, and wages paid under the 14(c) certificate. b. The grantee will provide the status for all individuals served, or may be served, under SMW program. 5. The grantee will provide the nature and scope of all contracts held by, with, and through the organization which result in payment of wages under the 14(c) certificate. a. The grantee will provide the business name(s), the annual contractual amount(s), the number of individuals served annually under each contract, and the total annual wages paid to all individuals working under each contract. 6. For personnel that support, monitor, and oversee SMW activities the grantee will provide data related to their job title, if they are FTE (Full Time Equivalent), and what role they are assigned. a. The grantee will provide job titles, if they are full-time equivalent (FTE), role they are assigned, and what activities they are overseeing or supporting. 7. The grantee will provide all efforts to modify and distribute messaging and other information related to the phase out of SMW and alternative program options. a. The grantee will provide a copy of outreach provided, format provided, communication type (mailing, list serv, website, other), and date provided. 8. The grantee will enhance staff capacity by recruiting, hiring, and onboarding the number of program personnel dedicated to CIE and or other integrated Community Day Services (CDS) necessary to effectively achieve reduction in SMW activity. In addition, the grantee will provide training and opportunities for professional certification to ensure a well-educated and qualitatively sound workforce. a. The grantee will provide list of new hires or staff transfers to program personnel dedicated to CIE and/or other integrated CDS. b. The grantee will provide a list of proposed and completed training or certification opportunities, including, date of training, names of personnel who completed, and date of the training or proposed training date, if not completed. 9. The grantee will administer assessments to all individuals engaged in, or at risk of engagement in, SMW activity. Assessment administration must include formal tools, resources, curriculum, or other methods used to gauge program placement and individual interest. Assessment must be focused on vocational and career interests, desires, strengths, preferences, and conditions of employment. a. The grantee will provide who (participant’s full name, age, DOB, gender identity, race/ethnicity, and county they reside) received assessment, what tools were used, brief description of the conditions of employment, and what non-SMW activities were offered as a result of assessment (e.g., CIE or integrated, integrated community-based day services). 10. The grantee will engage with local businesses to examine and act upon opportunities focused on career advancement for program participants, develop and foster new business partnerships, provide training and education on inclusive hiring practices. This could include reasonable accommodations, benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities, employment supports, diversity and other similar topics. a. The grantee will provide the name of each business, date(s) of outreach, and outcome(s) - partnership, no partnership, placement, follow up necessary. b. The grantee will provide the type of training/education provided, date, and who was provided training/education. Performance Measures and Standards Grantee must provide the following quarterly: 1. The grantee will develop, share, and refine, a multi-faceted Transition Plan that includes, but not limited to; SMW key indicators, enhanced staff capacity, participant assessment, enhanced data collection and utilization, alternative program models, and engagement with the business community -100% for the time. 2. The grantee will actively participate in an on-going Community of Practice (CoP), focused on sharing knowledge and experience, collective and individualized problem solving, deepening of expertise, development of networks, creation of new or distribution of existing resources and innovation -100% for the time. 3. The grantee will provide activities, associated events, or meetings to individuals with I/DD and their families about the Dignity in Pay Program. These may, include, but not limited to, community of practice, training sessions, agency specific check-ins, and so on -100% for the time. 4. The grantee will identify and share data and information related to the key indicators of the Subminimum Wage activities -100% for the time. 5. The grantee will provide the nature and scope of all contracts held by, with, and through the organization which result in payment of wages under the 14(c) certificate -100% for the time. 6. For personnel that support, monitor, and oversee SMW activities the grantee will provide data related to their job title, if they are FTE (Full Time Equivalent), and what role they are assigned. 7. The grantee will provide all efforts to modify and distribute messaging and other information related to the phase out of SMW and alternative program options -100% for the time. 8. The grantee will enhance staff capacity by recruiting, hiring, and onboarding the number of program personnel dedicated to CIE and or other integrated Community Day Services (CDS) necessary to effectively achieve reduction in SMW activity. In addition, the grantee will provide training and opportunities for professional certification to ensure a well-educated and qualitatively sound workforce -100% for the time. 9. The grantee will administer assessments to all individuals engaged in, or at risk of engagement in, SMW activity. Assessment administration must include formal tools, resources, curriculum, or other methods used to gauge program placement and individual interest. Assessment must be focused on vocational and career interests, desires, strengths, preferences, and conditions of employment -100% for the time. 10. The grantee will engage with local businesses to examine and act upon opportunities focused on career advancement for program participants, develop and foster new business partnerships, provide training and education on inclusive hiring practices. This could include reasonable accommodations, benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities, employment supports, diversity and other similar topics -100% for the time. At the end of the year, successful applicants will also submit a cumulative report with the cumulative totals from above. Failure to comply with these reporting requirements could result in the Department placing you on the stop pay list, withholding of funds, termination of the grant agreement and subject to the Grant Funds Recovery Act

Nonprofit Organizations; Other;

A. Program Specific Eligibility Dignity in Pay Program Grants shall be made available to eligible community agencies who, at the time of NOFO announcement: 1. Hold active or pending Section 14(c) Certificates through either or both the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) and/or the Federal Department of Labor (DOL). 2. Has demonstrated experience providing services and supports to individual with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families. 3. Has demonstrated the ability to meet all the program goals described in this NOFO. 4. Has met the criteria laid out in Application Review Information, Criteria and Weighting of Each Criteria. B. Prequalification Requirements 1. The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity. 2. Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee: a. Organization name and contact information. b. Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN). c. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). d. Organization type. 3. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. Items (a) through (e) below are the prequalification requirements. a. Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration: Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to: i. Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date. ii. Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in its application. iii. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the awarding agency. iv. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied with all UEI and SAM requirements. v. The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied with requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants. b. Must be in "good standing" with the Illinois Secretary of State if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity's organization type to be registered. c. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List. d. Must not be on the Sam.gov Exclusion List. e. Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List. C. Successful applicants will not receive an award if pre-award requirements are not met. Qualified status is verified at time of application. Applicants who are not eligible due to registration or pre-qualification issues, or late applications will be notified that they are ineligible for consideration when the requirements of the grant application or pre-qualification, have not been met. This will be done through email contact, to the corresponding contact information, on the application submission.

Program Beneficiaries: hold active or pending Section 14(c) Certificates through either or both the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) and/or the Federal Department of Labor (DOL) Program Participants: Individuals with disabilities who are engaged in, or at risk of engaging in, Subminimum Wage activity under a 14(c) certificate.

Cooperative Agreements

Human Services

In addition to the requirement that applicants hold an active or pending 14(c) certificate with either or both the Federal Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Labor, applicants must meet additional eligibility requirements: SAM, UEI, in good standing with Illinois Secretary of State, meet pre-award requirements

N/A

I. Content and Form of Application Submission Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below. Applicants that do not include all the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding. Refer to Section V for Submission Instructions. 1. Program Narrative and Proposal Narrative Content with Attachments a. Program Narrative: IMPORTANT, the program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity. b. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments: If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will consider content contained within that specific section. 2. Budget and Budget Narrative - Applicants must enter a budget electronically in the CSA and provide a copy of the completed budget in PDF format. a. The budget entered in the CSA system will include a narrative or detailed description/justification for each line in the budget, a describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation, and how you arrived at the specific amount. Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, and match within each line item as appropriate. The budget (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) should clearly describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities described in your plan. b. The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables, and demonstrate that all proposed costs are: i. Reasonable and necessary ii. Allocable iii. Allowable as defined by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), as applicable. c. If indirect costs are included in the budget and the applicant has a currently approved NICRA, you must ensure the NICRA has been uploaded in the State of Illinois Indirect Cost System. d. The budget submitted in the CSA system must be electronically signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer. This is the same requirement for the PDF version that is required. IMPORTANT: Please be sure the budget status in CSA says "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review." This status will appear after the budget is electronically signed by the agency CEO or CFO and submitted to IDHS. See IDHS CSA Tracking System webpage for additional information on CSA at IDHS CSA Tracking System. e. Additional information for entering a Uniform Grant Budget can be found at Budget Template and Budget Template Instructions. Be sure to follow instructions on website on how to download the Template. 3. Required Forms a. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance – This is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application. IL444-5262 - UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR STATE GRANT ASSISTANCE (.pdf) b. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure – This is required for all grant award programs. The document requires agencies to identify actual or potential conflicts of interest. The form must be signed by a representative of the organization. IL444-5205 - GRANTEE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE (.pdf) 4. Required Format a. Application Format Requirements: Electronic submission is required in PDF format. b. Document Submission Requirements: i. 8.5” X 11” Paper size, Single spaced, 12-size font, Calibri typeface, one-inch margins, and display page numbers. ii. The applicant should not use agency letter head or agency identification formatting features on the application. Limit reference to the agency’s name, specifically, in the program narrative. The agency’s name and identifiers will be redacted, from the documentation, for the Merit Review Process. This ensures a fair and unbiased scoring process. iii. File name should be “Funding Opportunity Number, Program Name, and Agency Name. iv. All forms must be signed and dated. v. The application must be no more than 25 pages. This includes the application and narrative. (Uniform Grant Budget and Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure form are not included in this count) c. The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the format outlined or points may be deducted. d. The Department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant. II. Submission Instructions A. Actions needed prior to applying: Applicants must be registered with the State of Illinois and Pre-qualified in the GATA portal prior to applying for Illinois awards. Instructions for creating an account and registering are located at the following link: Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. Additionally, detailed instructions for registration and prequalification requirements, including the expected amount of time for completion are located here: Grant Applicant Pre-Qualification and Pre-Award Requirements. B. The methods for submitting the application: 1. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order: a. Program Narrative b. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance c. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure d. Budget- entered into the CSA system and copy in PDF format. e. Proof of 14(c) certification (copy). 2. Applications must be sent electronically to: • Email: DHS.DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov • Subject Line: “26-444-24-3501, NOFO Dignity In Pay Application, your Agency’s Name” IMPORTANT: The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to this email address. Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will not be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, thumb drive, password protected emails, password protected documents, and emails from encrypted email protection companies (such as, Prevail, Barracuda Network, Trustifi, etc. list not full inclusive). The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. 3. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows: Internet access, preferable high-speed, Email capability, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Abode Reader. 4. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they did not receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after the 48 hours. In the event of a dispute, the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above (and that the budget was submitted into the CSA system on time). C. If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact us at: • Name: Erica O’Neal • Email: DHS.DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov • Subject line: “NOFO Technical Difficulties, Dignity in Pay” III. Submission Dates and Times. A. Full applications are due on the following date March 21, 2025, at the following time 5:00 p.m. (CST). B. Missed Deadlines 1. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be separately notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification. 2. For your records, please keep a copy of your submission with the date and time the application was submitted along with the email address to which it was sent. The deadline will be strictly enforced. 3. IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that the applicant not wait until the last minute to submit an application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation that may prove their application was submitted to the correct location and that it was received by IDHS on or before the deadline. Applicants should also maintain all electronic documentation, including screen shots, email correspondence, help desk ticket numbers, etc. that would document any unforeseen difficulties the applicant may have encountered regarding the timely submission of the application.

Preference will be given to applicants who have not been funded through other the DDD CIEC Grant or the DRS SWTCIE Grant. Funding recommendations include consideration of factors such as geographical distribution, demonstrated need, demonstrated community presence, agency past performance as a state grantee etc., and other items. The Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities will approve the final award determination. In making a final funding determination, the Director may include consideration of other factors. Applications are subject to the Merit Review process, as outlined in the NOFO. Risk Review A. IDHS conducts risk assessments for all awardees, prior to the award being issued. 1. An agency wide Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) to be completed by the awardee within the Grantee Portal. The ICQ evaluates fiscal, administrative, and programmatic risk in the following categories: a. Quality of Management Systems b. Financial and Programmatic Reporting c. Ability to Effectively Implement Award Requirements d. Awardee Audits 2. A program specific Programmatic Risk Assessment conducted by the awarding agency to evaluate the following categories: a. Programmatic financial stability. b. Management systems and standards that would affect the program. c. Programmatic audit and monitoring findings. d. Ability to effectively implement program requirements. e. External partnerships. f. Programmatic reporting. 3. Risk assessments are not intended to be punitive in nature, rather they are conducted in order to evaluate the support, technical assistance, and training that may be needed for the awardee and the level of monitoring that is needed for the award. 4. Risk assessments may result in Specific Conditions being placed on the award to include more frequent monitoring or the implementation of a corrective action plan. B. Simplified Acquisition Threshold - Federal and State awards 1. This award is not anticipated to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold defined in 48 CFR part 2, subpart 2.1.

Anticipated Start Date and Periods of Performance for new grant awards Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than 07/01/2025 and will continue through 06/30/2026. A. State Award Notices 1. Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include: a. Grant award amount. b. The terms and conditions of the award. c. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative risk assessment (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA), and the Merit Review. 2. Note: The Department cannot issue a NOSA until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into the CSA system. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the agency’s grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount, and all conditions set forth within the notice. The signed NOSA is the document authorizing the Department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice. 3. The notice is not an authorization to begin performance (to the extent that it allows charging to State awards of pre-award costs; pre-award costs are incurred at the non-State entities own risk unless they have received written prior approval to begin performance). 4. The authorizing document to begin performance is the fully executed Uniform Grant Agreement (UGA) signed by the grants officer, or equivalent. This is the official document that obligates funds. The UGA is sent to the non-State entity via the CSA system. The non-State entity will print and sign the signature page of the UGA and return signature page to DHS.OCA.SignaturePages@illinois.gov. A final signed copy of the UGA will be provided to the non-State entity via an upload into the CSA Tracking system. 5. Applicants who are not eligible due to registration or pre-qualification issues, or late applications will be notified that they are ineligible for consideration when the requirements of the grant application or pre-qualification, have not been met. This will be done through email contact, to the corresponding contact information, on the application submission. Resubmission of the complete and updated application will be allowed for consideration if received prior to the application closing date noted in the NOFO Basic Information Section. 6. A written Notice of Denial shall be sent to the applicants not receiving an award, following the Merit Review process. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. A. The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all State and Federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services. B. Payment Terms The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) payment policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods) and the Cash Management Improvement Act and the Treasury-State Agreement (TSA) default procedures codified at 31 CFR 205. IDHS Payments to grantees will be governed in accordance with the established criteria. Grantees will receive payment by one of the three payment methodologies (Advance Payment, Reimbursement or Working Capital Advance). Grantees will automatically be paid via Reimbursement Method unless a request for Advance Payment Method or Working Capital Advance Method is made using the IDHS Advance Payment Request Cash Budget Template (Cash Budget). C. Payment Forms 1. Monthly Invoice (IL444-5257) (https://www.dhs.state.il.us/onenetlibrary/12/documents/Forms/IL444-5257.pdf) 2. Advance Payment Request Cash Budget Form (IL444-4985) (https://www.dhs.state.il.us/onenetlibrary/12/documents/Forms/IL444-4985.pdf) Only if requesting an advance payment

The Division must receive the Full Application Packet: Due on March 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST

45-60 days post application

Appeals pursuant To IL Admin Code 123.456. Merit Review Appeal Process 1. In accordance with GATA Administrative Rules, Section 350, Merit Review of Grant Applications, a merit review is required for applications of competitive (discretionary) Grants and Cooperative Agreements, unless prohibited by State or federal statute. (44 Ill. Adm. Code 7000.350) 2. Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by IDHS' Appeal Review Officer (ARO). 3. Submission of Appeal contact information: • Contact Name: Erica O’Neal • Email address: DHS.DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov • Email Subject Line: “Appeal Review Requested, Dignity in Pay Program, Agency’s Name” 4. Appeal Instructions a. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the appeals submission IDHS contact listed above, who will send to the IDHS Appeal Review Officer (ARO) for consideration. b. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. c. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following: i. Name and address of the appealing party ii. Identification of the grant iii. Statement of the reasons for the appeal iv. Supporting documentation, if applicable 5. Response to appeal a. IDHS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received. i. IDHS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required. ii. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by IDHS within the time period set in the request. 6. Resolution a. The ARO will make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information. i. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the State Agency. ii. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination. iii. The determination shall include, but not be limited to: • Review of the appeal. • Appeal determination; and • Rationale for the determination.

This program will be awarded as a 24-month term agreement. The program is not eligible for Renewal. Funding for the budget cycle has been appropriated in the state's approved fiscal year budget.

This grant does not require an in-kind or financial match requirement.

Pre-Award Costs A. Pre-award costs are not allowable. B. IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records. Indirect Costs A. Indirect Costs (https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=151738) may be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost Rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES) (https://gata.illinois.gov/indirect-cost/centralized-indirect-cost-system.html).

Upon execution of the grant agreement, reporting shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Uniform Grant Agreement and related Exhibits which includes, but is not limited to the following: Reporting Requirements: A. Time Period for Required Periodic Financial Reports. Unless a different reporting requirement is specified in Exhibit E, Grantee shall submit financial reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 10.1 and reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the quarter ends. B. Time Period for Close-out Reports. Grantee shall submit a Close-out Report pursuant to Paragraph 10.2 and no later than 30 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination. C. Time Period for Required Periodic Performance Reports. Unless a different reporting requirement is specified in Exhibit E, Grantee shall submit Performance Reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 11.1 and such reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the quarter ends. D. Time Period for Close-out Performance Reports. Grantee agrees to submit a Close-out Performance Report, pursuant to Paragraph 11.2 and no later than 30 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination. Non-compliance with any of the above reporting requirements, including timeliness of reports may lead to being placed on the Illinois Stop Payment List. • PPR and PFR Email Address: DDDGrantProg@illinois.gov • Monthly Invoice Email Address: DHS.DDDBCR@illinois.gov

See JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90 for audit requirements

See JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.430 Record Retention

The source of funding for this program is State funds.

New program Estimated Total Program Funding Amount: $2,000,000 across FYs 26 & 27 (7/1/25 through 6/30/27)

Up to $200,000 Annually based on Funding Tier System Funding Tier System 1. With the recognition that organizations that currently hold 14(c) certificates and engage in SMW activity may have dramatic variance in their size (program participant census, personnel, and funding) and capacity to initiate change, the amount of Dignity in Pay Program Grants funding will be determined based on assignment to Funding Tiers. 2. Funding Tier assignment will be determined, during the application process, using a points system which gauges the applicant’s current status and capacity. The points system addresses 4 key areas, the details of which must be included in the Executive Summary portion of the application. 3. The 4 key areas are: a. Current SMW census b. Current capacity in Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services c. Current authorization for Division of Developmental Disabilities Supported Employment Program (DDD SEP) d. Utilization of Division of Developmental Disabilities Supported Employment Program (DDD SEP) 4. Scoring for Funding Tiers a. Current SMW Census: i. Organization has less than 25 People engaged in SMW annually: 0 points. ii. Organization has between 26-75 people engaged in SMW annually: 1 point. iii. Organization has between 76-125 people engaged in SMW annually: 2 points. iv. Organization has between 126-200+ people engaged in SMW annually: 3 points. b. DRS Capacity Points i. Organization holds more than 2 active contracts with DRS VR: 0 Points ii. Organization holds 2 active contracts with DRS VR: 1 point. iii. Organization holds 1 active contract with DRS VR: 2 points. iv. Organization does not currently hold contracts with DRS VR: 3 points. c. DDD SEP Authorization Points i. Organization currently provides both DDD SEP Group and DDD SEP Individual: 0 points. ii. Organization currently provides DDD SEP Group OR DDD SEP Individual (one but not both): 1 point. iii. Organization does not currently support anyone through DDD SEP: 2 points. d. DDD SEP Utilization (Billable Hours) Points i. Organization billed more than 8,000 DDD SEP hours in FY24: 0 points. ii. Organization billed between 4,001 and 8,000 DDD SEP Hours in FY24: 1 point. iii. Organization billed between 101 and 4,000 DDD SEP Hours in FY24: 2 points. iv. Organization billed 100 DDD SEP hours or less in FY24: 3 points. 5. Total Funding Tier (Based on scoring criteria above) Based on the total cumulative points in the 4 areas above, Dignity in Pay Grantees will be assigned to 1 of 3 funding Tiers. a. Tier 1 (0-3 Points): Dignity in Pay Grant of no more than $75,000 annually b. Tier 2 (4-7 Points): Dignity in Pay Grant of more than $75,000 but less than $150,000 annually c. Tier 3 (8-11 Points): Dignity in Pay Grant of more than $150,000 but no more than $225,000 annually

Program Accomplishments (The results to be achieved and/or services rendered as a result of the program.) Dignity in Pay Program Grants support capacity building and provider transformation efforts, primarily focused on opportunities for Individuals with I/DD who currently participate in, or are at risk of participation in, SMW activity, to access and participate more fully in Competitive Integrated Employment (including but not limited to Supported Employment, Customized Employment, Self-employment and Entrepreneurship) and diverse, integrated community day service programs that support choice, community, inclusion and a meaningful life. Dignity in Pay Program Grants will: 1. Develop new opportunities, programs, and grow capacity to respond to the needs of I/DD individuals in their geographic area; including, but not limited to, supported employment, customized employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and diverse day programs that support meaningful days, choice, and community integration. 2. Responsibly reduce the number of individuals with I/DD who participate in Illinois SMW to zero by December 31st, 2029. 3. Ensure provider organizations have adequate guidance to adjust business practices, with a primary emphasis on shifting away from models which promote facility based SMW, to models which promote sustainable integration, inclusion, and opportunities to engage in CIE. These adjustments must create meaningful community connections, through person centered and individualized planning and support. 4. Increase both the capacity to serve, and enrollment into, programs which promote CIE, and other integrated Community Day Services (CDS).

Dignity in Pay Act, HB0793 of the 103rd General Assembly.

N/A

The Division of Developmental Disabilities Hotline 1-888-DD-PLANS (1-888-337-5267) (TTY: 1-866-376-8446) is available to persons and the family of people with developmental disabilities to answer questions on community programs, respite care, and other state services available to persons with a disability. More information is also available visit the Developmental Disabilities Web site.

Dignity in Pay Act, HB0793 https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=793&GAID=17&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=142668&SessionID=112&GA=103

Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Illinois (24-444-30-3025)

N/A

2/11/2025

FY 2026 : $1,000,000
FY 2027 : $1,000,000