The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS/”Department”) Bureau of Maternal Child
Health (BMCH/”Bureau”) seeks to facilitate nurse case management services to high-risk
birthing families in the pilot areas, with the goal of reducing maternal and infant morbidity
and mortality rates at both the state and local level with an emphasis on addressing
racial/ethnic disparities in outcomes. To eliminate barriers to client transportation and
decrease risk of communicable diseases in the high-risk population, nurse visits are
expected to occur exclusively in the home setting monthly for the duration of pregnancy
and at least the first three months after birth while family is enrolled in the pilot program.
In alignment with the Improving Health Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals Act
(20 ILCS 1305/10-23 new), the Bureau will pilot a comprehensive High Risk Family Case
Management Program to vulnerable high-risk family units to improve both maternal and
infant outcomes overall and to reduce racial disparities in outcomes and services provided.
The pilot will be offered in three (3) specified geographical areas:
1. City of Chicago communities including and limited to: Austin, North Lawndale, South
Lawndale, West Town, Near West Side, Lower West Side, Humboldt Park, East Garfield Park,
West Garfield Park
2. Madison County
3. Peoria County
While this NOFO covers increased expenses to support high program quality and required
nurse to family (dyad) staffing ratios, overall funding to the Bureau has not increased.
Therefore, pilot program caseloads will be limited to medically high-risk family dyads
(birthing individual and infant). The HRFCM pilot program will not provide services to
low-risk dyads. Low risk families in need of services should be referred to Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) and DHS Bureau of Maternal
and Child Health programs. Refer to the HRFCM Policy & Procedure Manual Appendix 5.1
HRFCM Vulnerability Index (available to applicants via email upon request) for the list of risk
factors used to determine “medically high-risk" for the program described herein. Families
not meeting the eligibility criteria may be authorized with Departmental approval.