The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Mental Health, is offering a competitive grant opportunity for the 515-RIPS Regions IPS Trainers program. The purpose of this grant is to support the implementation and maintenance of Individual Placement and Support/Supported Employment (IPS) programs across Illinois. The grantee will recruit and employ full-time IPS trainers to provide technical assistance and training to agencies that implement IPS programs. These trainers will work in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health to ensure program goals, training schedules, and evaluation measures are effectively executed.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance IPS programs by ensuring that agencies committed to the supported employment model receive adequate training and technical support. The grant is specifically designed to help individuals with serious mental illness secure competitive employment, thereby fostering independence and recovery. The awarded grantee will work closely with the Division of Mental Health’s administrators to implement training and ensure fidelity to IPS principles. The grant is intended to support IPS sustainability and scalability throughout the state.

The estimated total program funding is $360,000, with an anticipated single award at the full amount. The funding source is the state, and no cost-sharing or matching is required. Indirect costs are allowed without restrictions. The application period runs from March 19, 2025, to April 17, 2025, with applications due by noon Central Time on the closing date. A technical assistance session is available but not mandatory and will be held on March 27, 2025. The anticipated award date is July 1, 2025, with a performance period extending from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, subject to state appropriation.

Eligible applicants for this grant must be nonprofit organizations and Certified Community Mental Health Centers that have implemented the IPS model. Applicants must complete online IPS training within one year of receiving the award and meet all prequalification requirements, including active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, and absence from federal and state debarment lists. Each applicant must submit a uniform application for state grant assistance, a program narrative, a conflict of interest disclosure, and a budget through the CSA Tracking System. Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of past IPS Fidelity Reviews or Quality Improvement Surveys.

The evaluation criteria for applications include community identification and need assessment (25 points), organizational capacity and qualifications (25 points), program service description (25 points), data collection and evaluation methodology (10 points), and grant-specific budget and resource planning (15 points). Applications will be scored based on merit review by a panel of IDHS staff. Appeals regarding the evaluation process must be submitted within 14 days of the grant award notice.

For further inquiries, applicants may contact Rob Putnam at DHS.DMHGrantApp@Illinois.gov. The IDHS website will host frequently asked questions and responses related to this funding opportunity. Questions must be submitted via email by April 10, 2025, at noon Central Time. Late applications will not be reviewed, and applicants must confirm receipt within 48 hours of submission to avoid disqualification. Awardees will receive a formal Notice of State Award, which must be signed before funding is finalized.