Illinois DHS’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) outlined a set of provider-facing actions across grants, compliance, and workforce development in a March 26 communication. The update includes newly posted FY27 respite Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), an FY26 Supported Employment Program (SEP) revalidation timeline, and promoted training opportunities.
FY27 respite NOFOs set April 23 submission deadline
DDD announced newly posted NOFOs for FY27 respite programs across four categories:
Group Respite
In-Home Respite
Residential Respite
Voucher Respite
The submission window runs through 5:00 p.m. CST on April 23, 2026. The communication states the Division anticipates awarding these grants on June 12, 2026, subject to appropriation. The planned grant period is July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Taken together, the dates outline an operational planning arc for providers: application work in April, award decisions in June, and multi-year program delivery starting in July, pending budget authority.
FY26 supported employment revalidation runs Apr 1 to May 1
The same communication sets a compliance expectation for employment supports. FY26 DDD Supported Employment Program (SEP) revalidation is scheduled for April 1, 2026 through end of business May 1, 2026. DDD ties eligibility to “active authorizations” and certain time windows of prior approvals. As described, the revalidation functions as an administrative control point that can affect continuity of supported employment services if providers miss timelines or documentation expectations.
Workforce development includes April QIDP training
DDD also highlighted workforce-development mechanics at the provider level by promoting training opportunities. This includes a free virtual two-day Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) course coordinator training in April. While the communication does not frame the update as a “workforce crisis” headline, it signals a broader operational direction: states are increasingly pairing funding opportunities with credentialing and competency infrastructure to support quality and compliance expectations.
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