Department of Human Services

The Chicago Lighthouse began in 1906 when a group of Chicago women came together to provide donated food and clothing to people who were blind or visually impaired. The Lighthouse gradually expanded over the decades in response to needs we observed in our community. For example, they have been helping people obtain jobs since 1918. They established our Low Vision Clinic in 1954, and it is now the longest continually running low vision clinic in the United States. They created their first educational programs for children with visual impairments in 1974. In 2012, they established a Customer Service Contact Center social enterprise to create jobs for clients while also earning revenue to support their social services programs. In 2014, they expanded their mission to include helping people with all types of disabilities and Veterans. The Lighthouse’s 40 programs and services now assist more than 50,000 people each year. They provide most of these services to everyone who needs them, regardless of the individual’s ability to pay. The Chicago Lighthouse will utilize the funds provided by this contract to cover personnel costs, travel, equipment & supplies, trainings, and other costs required to provide the following. Low vision services • Subsidizing patient care – bill the cost of low vision care to insurance when it is available, but many of our clients are uninsured or underinsured. • Ensuring adequate staffing levels and equipment – This is necessary to provide quality clinical care to all individuals. • Training the next generation of Low Vision professionals - offer a post-graduate optometric residency program in low vision rehabilitation. There is a dearth of qualified low vision professionals across the nation and in Illinois. This training opportunity for two residents annually will allow an increase the number of optometrists with low vision rehabilitation expertise in Illinois, eventually expanding access to care. Employment services • Provide internships for six individuals with disabilities to prepare them for independent employment. • Enable five individuals with disabilities to launch careers in the high-growth cybersecurity field through an intensive training and certification program and job placement assistance. • Ensure adequate staff and supplies to provide high quality Employment Services to everyone who needs assistance. Children’s & Youth Programs • Ensuring all Children’s & Youth Programs are adequately staffed, and those staff have appropriate training and supplies to serve the most vulnerable clients effectively and safely. • Outfitting the Children’s Development Center (CDC) classrooms with adaptive furniture and equipment to make learning accessible for students who have severe to profound disabilities in addition to visual impairments. • Providing supportive therapies for children, including music therapy and a certified behavior specialist. • Outfitting summer programs for success by covering one week of career readiness training for participants and accessible technology they can use to explore and document Chicago with low or no vision. • Enabling Youth Transition Program participants to visit local colleges and universities to experience for themselves the ways college can be made accessible for students with disabilities, encouraging them to consider further education. Independent Living Programs • Ensure enough Orientation & Mobility instructors to meet the community’s needs. • Provide essential training for Adult Living Skills (ALS) clients to increase their independence and quality of life. • Enable ALS clients to benefit from outings that will increase their social skills, confidence, and connection to the community. • Provide accessible transportation for ALS and Vision Quest so they can safely attend outings and/or perform music in the community.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 2; Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, and 97; Program Regulations in 34 CFR Parts 367 and selected sections of 34 CFR 364 and 365, listed in 34 CFR 367.4;

Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act [20 ILCS 2405]; 20 ILCS 2407; 89 ILCS 507; 89 ILCS509; 89 ILCS 511

N/A

The Chicago Lighthouse helps people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and Veterans live more independently and confidently. Addressing the often complex, overlapping, and life-long needs of people with disabilities and Veterans requires comprehensive, wraparound care and support, which can be difficult to come by. The Chicago Lighthouse provides the most robust assistance in Chicagoland for this service population, and they are constantly expanding their programs to meet the ever-growing need.

Yes

Deliverables 1. Low Vision Services • Serve more than 3,500 Illinois residents of all ages including provision of care and devices to at least 100 uninsured and 750 underinsured of all ages. • Train two residents in Low Vision care to increase the number of qualified specialty providers in Illinois. 2. Employment Services • 200 individuals with disabilities will receive computer and job skills training. • 45 individuals with disabilities will be placed in employment. • 50 individuals with disabilities and Veterans will participate in two 12-week Job Club sessions (September-June). 3. Children’s & Youth Programs • 95% of infants and toddlers served annually through The Chicago Lighthouse Early Intervention Program will demonstrate consistent improvement in sensory, mobility, speech and social skills appropriate to age and disability level, measured by case notes and the Oregon Project Skills Inventory. • 80% of students served by the Children’s Development Cetner (CDC) will experience an increase in their use of multimodal, functional communication skills.as measured by academic, therapeutic, and functional data. as documented by qualitative and quantitative, therapeutic and classroom teacher data . • 80% of Youth participants will experience growth in functional independence skills (i.e. orientation/mobility, financial literacy) as measured by program assessments and participant feedback. 4. Orientation & Mobility • 30 new Orientation and Mobility clients will be served. 5. Adult Living Skills • In aggregate, clients with income and career goals will maintain their performance at 50% by the end of fiscal year 2025. • In aggregate, clients with Community Living goals will improve their performance by an average of 5% by the end of fiscal year 2025. Performance Measures: Within the disability community, there is a broad array of capabilities and needs, from children learning to employ alternate senses to young adults polishing up their assistive technology skills to boost their career prospect to older adults relearning basic independent living skill after experiencing the onset of disability. As a result, each Lighthouse program serving a distinct client population sets and tracks unique goals. The following are the processes we will employ to evaluate progress on the above stated outcomes in FY25. 1. Low Vision Services • Low Vision Services staff will track the number of individuals served and patient data using Revolution Electronic Health Records. • Will verify that two residents were trained in low vision care. 2. Employment • The Employment Services staff will track the number of individuals (including their data) participating and their progress through each program component, including training programs, job interviews and placement, and Job Club participation. The Senior Vice President of Employment & Rehabilitation will compile quantitative data for reporting job training, job placement and Job Club activities under this grant. 3. Children’s & Youth Programs • Birth-to-Three Early Intervention Program staff will track the number of individuals and their developmental progress via case notes and the Oregon Project Skills Inventory. • Children’s Development Center staff will track the number of students and their functional communication use in daily notes. • Youth Transition Program Career Pathways Program wage/benefit levels will be measured during program pre- and post-participation assessments and participant feedback. 4. Orientation & Mobility • Staff will track the number of individuals served. 5. Adult Living Skills • Orientation & Mobility Program staff will track the number of new clients served via case logs. Reports on each client are compiled. • In the ALS Program and Vision Quest, service level tracking will be recorded by the ALS Director and Senior Director of Adult Community Programs through daily client observations and attendance reports. Performance Standards (minimum threshold for acceptable performance for each performance measure) 1. Low Vision Services • Up to 3,500 Illinois residents of all ages will be served including provision of care and devices up to 100 uninsured and up to 750 underinsured of all ages. • Two residents will be trained in Low Vision care to increase the number of qualified specialty providers in Illinois. 2. Employment Services • Up to 200 individuals with disabilities will receive computer and job skills training. • Up to 45 individuals with disabilities will be placed in employment. • Up to 50 individuals with disabilities and Veterans will participate in two 12-week Job Club sessions (September-June). 3. Children’s & Youth Programs • 95% of infants and toddlers served annually through The Chicago Lighthouse Early Intervention Program will demonstrate consistent improvement in sensory, mobility, speech and social skills appropriate to age and disability level, measured by case notes and the Oregon Project Skills Inventory. • 80% of students served by the Children’s Development Cetner (CDC) will experience an increase in their use of multimodal, functional communication skills.as measured by academic, therapeutic, and functional data. as documented by qualitative and quantitative, therapeutic and classroom teacher data . • 80% of Youth participants will experience growth in functional independence skills (i.e. orientation/mobility, financial literacy) as measured by program assessments and participant feedback. 4. Orientation & Mobility • Up to 30 new Orientation and Mobility clients will be served. 5. Adult Living Skills • Individuals with income and career goals will maintain their performance at 50% by the end of fiscal year 2025. • Individuals with Community Living goals will improve their performance by an average of 5% by the end of fiscal year 2025.

ALL;

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS A. The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity prior to the due date of this application. If the applicant has not met the Prequalification and mandatory requirements, this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. 1. 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 Identity Number (UEI) d. Organization type 2. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to and are not prequalified on 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 to all UEI and SAM requirements. v. The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements. 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

The Chicago Lighthouse serves individuals across Illinois, primarily in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The Chicago Lighthouse helps people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and Veterans live more independently and confidently.

Non-competitive

Human Services

2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

N/A

1. Complete the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance. The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance 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. The application will be provided by the Contract Project Officer. 2. Complete a program narrative/plan template. The template will be provided by the Contract Project Officer. 3. Complete Uniform Grant Budget in CSA. a) Applicants must enter a budget electronically in the CSA system. The Budget entered into the CSA system must include a narrative or detailed description/justification for each line in the budget and will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how the applicant arrived at the particular amount. The CSA budget and included narrative should express and support the submitted program narrative. b) 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. Attach a copy of your current approved Federal or State negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement if applicable. c) The budget should be prepared to reflect the full 12-month grant cycle and be consistent with the total amount requested. d) The Budget must be electronically signed and submitted in the CSA system. The Budget must be signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer. e) 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 (state.il.us) f) The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and demonstrate that all proposed costs are: • Reasonable and necessary • Allocable, and • Allowable as defined herein and by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), as applicable. 4. Complete Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure form. The grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure is a 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. The form will be provided by the Contract Project Officer. 5. Federal Form W-9. A completed federal form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification is required for all applicants. 6. Each applicant must: a. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application. b. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application; and c. Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration. d. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements. e. 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: IDHS: Pre-Qualification Instructions and Resources

N/A non-competitive

N/A

N/A

Unknown as this is a new program and will have to move through multiple departments for numerous approvals.

N/A

Unknown at this time if this Legislative Special Appropriation will be renewed.

Applicants/Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.

USES & RESTRICTIONS • IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles. Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records. • Pre-award costs are not allowable. • Indirect Costs may be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES) Indirect Cost Rate Requirements: 1. Negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois. This option requires an indirect cost rate proposal and supporting documentation to be developed by the grantee and submitted in the State of Illinois Centralized Indirect Cost System. A State of Illinois Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) will be accepted by all State of Illinois agencies for indirect cost rate reimbursement on State awards, provided the specific award is not subject to statutory restrictions, thresholds or ceilings that limit the indirect cost reimbursement amount. Specific Indirect cost restrictions can be located within the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for each award. A State of Illinois (NICRA) can only be used for State awards and will not be accepted by federal agencies for use on direct federal awards. 2. Elect the de minimis rate - 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). This option is available for grantees that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement in the past. Once elected, this rate may be used for indirect cost rate reimbursement on State awards, provided the specific award is not subject to statutory restrictions, thresholds or ceilings that limit the indirect cost reimbursement amount. Specific Indirect cost restrictions can be located within the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for each award. The de minimis rate of 10% (MTDC) can be used indefinitely by a grantee until such a time the grantee chooses to negotiate an indirect cost rate, which the grantee may do so at any time. Once an indirect cost rate is negotiated the de minimis rate of 10% (MTDC) option will no longer be available to the grantee. 3. Provide a copy of a current Federal Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). This option is available to grantees that receive awards directly from a Federal awarding agency and have negotiated an indirect cost rate with its Federal cognizant agency for indirect costs. The current Federal NICRA will be accepted by all State of Illinois agencies for indirect cost rate reimbursement on State awards, provided the specific award is not subject to statutory restrictions, thresholds or ceilings that limit the indirect cost reimbursement amount. Specific Indirect cost restrictions can be located within the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for each award. 4. Elect to decline any indirect cost rate. This “no rate” option certifies to all State of Illinois agencies that the grantee will not seek indirect cost reimbursement from any State of Illinois award. Grantees that administer programs that are exempt from 2 CFR 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles may elect this option. • Awards cannot be used to pay for alcoholic beverages; and cannot be used to pay for entertainment, which includes costs for amusement, diversion, and social activities. A grantee hosting a meeting or conference may not use grant funds to pay for food for conference attendees unless doing so is necessary to accomplish the legitimate meeting or conference business. Grantees must receive written pre-approval to use grant funds to host a meeting or conference that includes food. Furthermore, all meeting or conference materials or publicity of any nature paid for with grant funds must include appropriate disclaimers, such as: • The contents of this (insert type of publicity or public action) must identify the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services as the sponsoring agency and must not be released without prior written approval from the State's Authorized Representative. The publicity or public action must also include a provision that the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services nor is it an endorsement. For purposes of this provision, publicity includes: notices, informational pamphlets, press releases, research, reports, signs, and similar public notices prepared by or for the grantee individually or jointly with others, with respect to the program, publications, or services provided resulting from the grant agreement or subsequent amendments. • Costs of contributions and donations, including cash, property, and services are unallowable as is the cost of organized fund raising. Depreciation on equipment purchased by the State/Federal government directly or through a grant is an unallowable cost. Other prohibitions related can be found in the GATA Legislation 30 ILCS 708 and 2 CFR 200 Federal Uniform Guidance

PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT Payment Terms: IDHS will disburse payments to Grantee based on actual allowable costs incurred as reported in the monthly financial invoice. Grantees must submit monthly invoices in a format prescribed by Grantor. Invoices must include all allowable incurred costs for the first and each subsequent month of operations until the end of the Award term. Invoices must be submitted no later than 15 days following the end of any respective monthly invoice period, or as indicated in their UGA. As practicable, Grantor shall process payment within 30 calendar days after receipt of the invoice, unless the State awarding agency reasonably believes the request to be improper. Grantees may be required to submit additional supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the Grantor. Monthly Reporting: 1. A Monthly Grant Invoice (MGI), or alternate format provided by the Division, is required monthly to initiate payment. The MGI, or alternate format, will be provided by the DRS Contract Project Officer at the beginning of the contract period. Training and technical assistance on the completion of the form is available from the DRS Contract Project Officer. MGIs are to be sent by email to the DRS Contract Project Officer within 15 days following the end of any respective monthly invoice period, or as indicated in their UGA. Financial documentation (receipts, bills/invoices, travel logs, payroll register, ledgers, etc.) to support the MGI must be submitted each month along with the MGI. Failure to provide required or additional financial documentation when requested will suspend payment for services. Quarterly Reporting: 1. The Periodic Financial Report (PFR) is a standard, uniform statewide financial reporting format used by all State agencies in Illinois to collect financial information from recipients of State grant awards. The PFR will be provided by the DRS Contract Project Officer at the beginning of the contract period. Training and technical assistance on the completion of the form is available from the DRS Contract Project Officer. PFR's are to be sent by email to the DRS Contract Project Officer within 15 calendar days of the beginning of the month for the previous three months of service. 2. The Periodic Performance Report (PPR) is a standard, uniform statewide performance progress reporting format used by all State agencies to in Illinois collect performance information from recipients of State grant awards. The PPR is based on existing federal forms and meets State and federal requirements under GATA. The PPR is to be submitted by the Grantee to the DRS Project Officer. PPR's are to be sent by email to the DRS Contract Project Officer within 15 calendar days of the beginning of the month for the previous three months of service. The report deadlines are as follows: • For the 1st Quarter: July 1 through September 30 – Due October 15 • For the 2nd Quarter: October 1 through December 31 – Due January 15 • For the 3rd Quarter: January 1 through March 30 – Due April 15 • For the 4th Quarter: April 1 through June 30 – Due July 15 Annually 1. A final PFR shall be required at the completion of the grant term. For final PFRs, the reporting period end date shall be the end date of the project/grant award. A Final Reconciliation is the final financial closeout of the award. The Financial Reconciliation will be provided by the DRS Contract Project Officer. Training and technical assistance on the completion of the form will be provided by the DRS Contract Project Officer. Financial Reconciliations will only be accepted by email to the DRS Contract Project Officer no later than July 15 of the current fiscal year. Payments will be made in accordance with an approved Uniform Grant Budget, completion of all reporting requirements, and adherence to the minimum threshold for acceptable performance as outlined in the contract via the reimbursement method

JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90 Auditing Standards

JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.430 Record Retention. Generally, States and subgrantees, as well as the training and technical assistance grantee, must retain records related to grant funds and compliance for a period of 3 years

0001.44499.4900.2500

Legislative Special Appropriations

$2,600,000.00

The Chicago Lighthouse began in 1906 when a group of Chicago women came together to provide donated food and clothing to people who were blind or visually impaired. The Lighthouse gradually expanded over the decades in response to needs we observed in our community. For example, we have been helping people obtain jobs since 1918. We established our Low Vision Clinic in 1954, and it is now the longest continually running low vision clinic in the United States. We created our first educational programs for children with visual impairments in 1974. In 2012, we established our Customer Service Contact Center social enterprise to create jobs for our clients while also earning revenue to support our social services programs. In 2014, we expanded our mission to include helping people with all types of disabilities and Veterans. The Lighthouse’s 40 programs and services now assist more than 50,000 people each year. We provide most of these services to everyone who needs them, regardless of the individual’s ability to pay. To help our clients live as independently as possible during every stage of life, we offer a comprehensive spectrum of programs and services. These range from a Birth-to-Three Early Intervention Program serving infants and toddlers to a Seniors Program where some participants are nearing 100 years of age. Our programs include: • Low Vision Clinical Services that provide low vision evaluation and rehabilitation, psychological counseling, and assistive technology for people of all ages and backgrounds; • Low Vision Research to develop and explore sensory substitution devices, vision restoration technologies, and rehabilitation-related therapies; • Children’s and Youth Programs that help children, adolescents, and young adults with vision impairments and often other disabilities reach developmental and social milestones; • Employment Programs that equip at-risk individuals with the skills and resources they need to support themselves and improve their quality of life; • Independent Living Programs, like our Orientation and Mobility, Adult Living Skills, VisionQuest, Seniors Program and Chicagoland Reading Information Service (CRIS) Radio, that enable clients to live independently and with dignity; and • Social Enterprises that employ people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, Veterans, and at-risk in accessible, inclusive jobs, while also generating revenue to help support our clinical and social service programs. The Chicago Lighthouse directly served approximately 62,000 people last year, as documented in our client logs. In addition, Chicago Lighthouse Media reached 117,337 listeners and viewers.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 2; Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, and 97; Program Regulations in 34 CFR Parts 367 and selected sections of 34 CFR 364 and 365, listed in 34 CFR 367.4; 2 CFR 200; 20 ILCS 2405; 20 ILCS 2407; 30 ILCS 70; 89 ILCS 507; 89 ILCS509; and 89 ILCS 511.

The Chicago Lighthouse serves individuals across Illinois, primarily in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Department of Human Services - Division of Rehabilitation Services Bureau of Customer and Community Blind Services 809 Commercial Street Springfield, Illinois 62703

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32305

Chicago Lighthouse also works with Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind and with other Individuals Who Are Blind under Title XX Donated Funding Initiatives.

• Low Vision Clinical Services that provide low vision evaluation and rehabilitation, psychological counseling, and assistive technology for people of all ages and backgrounds; • Low Vision Research to develop and explore sensory substitution devices, vision restoration technologies, and rehabilitation-related therapies; • Children’s and Youth Programs that help children, adolescents, and young adults with vision impairments and often other disabilities reach developmental and social milestones; • Employment Programs that equip at-risk individuals with the skills and resources they need to support themselves and improve their quality of life; • Independent Living Programs, like our Orientation and Mobility, Adult Living Skills, VisionQuest, Seniors Program and Chicagoland Reading Information Service (CRIS) Radio, that enable clients to live independently and with dignity; and • Social Enterprises that employ people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, Veterans, and at-risk in accessible, inclusive jobs, while also generating revenue to help support our clinical and social service programs.

5/2/2025

FY 2026 : $2,600,000