The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), through its Office of Healthcare Regulation, is offering the CMP Long Term Care Staff Development grant to support training programs in certified long-term care (LTC) facilities. The purpose of this grant is to enhance staff development in LTC facilities by providing training in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, as well as grief training. The initiative is funded through the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) via federal pass-through funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The goal is to strengthen staff-resident relationships and improve the quality of care in Illinois LTC facilities.

Eligible applicants include Illinois-based LTC facilities, including veterans' homes and Indian Health Service (IHS) or tribal LTC facilities, provided they are CMS-certified and in good standing. Applicants must be registered and prequalified with the State of Illinois through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) website before applying. Additional eligibility requirements include active registration with SAM.gov and compliance with various financial and regulatory conditions. Matching funds are not required for this grant, but indirect costs are allowed under specific conditions.

The total available funding for this grant is $675,000, with an anticipated 50 awards. Individual awards will range from $0 to $13,500, based on the number of purpose areas funded. The funding period is expected to run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The application period opens on February 12, 2025, and closes on April 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM CST. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Illinois Department of Public Health's Electronic Grants Administration & Management System (EGrAMS). A technical assistance session will be held on March 26, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, but attendance is not mandatory.

Applicants must submit a project narrative detailing the problem statement, target audience, curriculum development experience, project goals, work plan, and partnership details if applicable. The work plan should include measurable objectives and a timeline. A detailed budget with justifications is also required. Funding cannot be used for political, religious, lobbying activities, or capital expenses such as land or building purchases. Other prohibited expenses include food, incentives (without approval), fundraising, and entertainment costs.

Applications will be evaluated based on a 100-point scoring rubric, with primary emphasis on scope of work (40 points), work plan (15 points), budget justification (5 points), and health equity considerations (40 points). The health equity component requires applicants to address how their program will reduce health disparities and promote inclusive care. The anticipated award announcement date is June 30, 2025.

For additional information or technical support, applicants may contact Wesley Bridges, CMPRP Specialist at IDPH, at (217) 782-7412 or via email at Wesley.e.bridges@illinois.gov. Applicants may also contact Erin Rife, Assistant Bureau Chief, Office of Healthcare Regulation-Long Term Care, at (217) 782-5180 or Erin.rife@illinois.gov.