Details about our updated phone menu to help families more quickly connect with our team

It’s important that you can reach the right team member whenever you need help or have questions.

We want to share our updated phone menu to help you more quickly connect with our staff.  

Our updated phone menu options are: 

• Press 1 for Customer Service
• Press 3 to Dial by Extension
• Press 4 for Language Line

Please note: If you need to reach a staff member directly by their extension, you must first select option 3 (“Dial by Extension”).

Entering the extension at the start of your call will automatically connect you with our Customer Service team. Option 2 (the old Language Line) is no longer available.

We understand this change may be new and want to ensure you can get to the right person without any confusion. If you have questions or need assistance, our Customer Service team is happy to help explain these options when you call.

Our toll-free number, (800) 322-3722, remains the simplest and fastest way to reach anyone at DSCC. 

Saving our toll-free (800) number and updating your Care Coordinator’s extension number in your phone’s contact list can help:

• Prevent you from mistaking our calls as spam, ensuring you receive important updates and support from your care coordination team 
• Save time when you need to call us for assistance or have questions
• Ensure smoother communication whenever you need support or would like to share feedback

You may also reach us electronically through our general dscc@uic.edu email address or our Contact Us or Request a Callback forms on our website.

Save Time With the DSCC Family Portal

Our DSCC Family Portal is also available to help you communicate and share information more easily with your care coordination team.

You can use the Family Portal to:

• Send messages
• Sign documents
• View important letters
• See a list of providers and much more

To help you get started, we’ve created several tip sheets and videos for how to use the Family Portal. You can find these resources on our website’s Family Portal page.

If you have trouble accessing the Family Portal or need other support, please email dsccexternalhelp@uic.edu. A designated DSCC staff person will help you as soon as possible.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this helpful tool!

Find out what our participant families can expect as we continue to roll out CarePay, our new claims processing system

We want to share our progress as we implement a new claims system and explain what this change means for you. 

In May, the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) launched our new claims processing system called CarePay. We developed CarePay to offer faster and more efficient claims processing. 

We are continuing to work through the initial rollout and its related issues. Here is what our participant families can expect and need to know: 

For Core Program Families

As we move to CarePay, you may experience some temporary delays with our claims processing. It could take up to 30 days for us to pay a claim. 

If you or your child’s provider has been waiting for a claim payment for longer than 30 days, please contact us. We can verify that we have properly received your claim submission and investigate any issues.

If you have experienced a significant delay with a claims payment, please bring it to the attention of your care coordination team so we can help you. 

For Home Care Program Families

• We are continuing to issue payments to nursing agencies at the updated 2025 rates. The rate increase received the necessary federal approvals in April, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.
  
• We continue to work with our claims system developers on a plan for issuing “top-off” payments for adjusted claims we received between January and when CarePay went live.
  
• It is important for your nursing agency to double-check the accuracy of the claims it submits for reimbursement as we process these payments.

We understand that timely claims processing is important to you and your providers. We’re committed to resolving any issues as quickly as possible and ensuring you receive the support you need.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work through this transition.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (800) 322-3722. 

The council is a great opportunity to share your voice and help improve transition support for youth across Illinois.

Calling all teens and young adults with special healthcare needs in Illinois!

Would you like to make a difference? Your voice can help shape programs and services for youth like you across the state.

We are looking for new members to join our Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

The YAC is an opportunity to share your feedback and help improve planning for the transition to adulthood. You can also strengthen your leadership skills and connect with other youth.

As a YAC member, you can:

• Learn about and help improve how the transition to adulthood works for Illinois youth with special healthcare needs
• Help us gain a better understanding of your and your peers’ transition needs
• Give a voice to what matters most to you
• Gain valuable leadership and advocacy experience
• Expand your network

The council is open to all Illinois youth ages 15 to 24 with special healthcare needs.

You do not need to be a Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant to join.

How to Join and Learn More

Members must complete an online application to join. (The application is also available in Spanish.)

Visit our Youth Advisory Council page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

You can also see the YAC flyer for more details:

• YAC flyer in English
• YAC flyer in Spanish

If you have questions, please contact Claire Cook, DSCC’s Title V Program Transition Specialist, at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722, ext. 21812.

Your perspective matters!

DSCC is proud to sponsor the expanded eHomeCare program to help families and home nurses improve their care knowledge and refresh their skills

We are excited to help expand a free online training program on how to care for children with complex medical needs at home.

Research shows that the number of children in need of medically complex care at home is steadily growing. With this growth, there is an urgent need for current and accessible educational resources to ensure the quality and safety of care for these children.

We’ve also heard from families and home nurses that they need a way to expand their knowledge about care in the home and refresh their skills.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is proud to sponsor the expanded eHomeCare program to help meet this need and equip caregivers with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality care.

The eHomeCare program provides comprehensive, evidence-based information on the care of children with complex medical needs at home. The training is for:

• Family members and caregivers of children with complex medical needs
• Nurses working in home-based environments
• Physicians
• Respiratory therapists
• Students from health professions
• Anyone interested in learning more about caring for children with complex medical needs.

The eHomeCare program consists of eight on-demand courses to enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of home care providers in the following areas:

• Caring for children with a tracheostomy with or without a ventilator
• Central line care
• Dialysis in home
• Infection control
• Setting boundaries in the home
• Skin care
• Range of motion
• Daily care activities for children

The courses aim to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance caregivers’ confidence and competence in managing both routine and emergency situations.

Please note that the completion of these training courses alone is not enough to demonstrate proficiency in skills that require specialized care (such as caring for a trach, ventilator or central line). If you are interested in becoming trained to provide these cares, please talk to your child’s medical team or home nursing agency.

Parents, extended family members, caregivers and others can use these modules to learn and refresh different skills for caring for their medically complex child in the home setting.

To learn more about the courses and enroll, visit the eHomeCare Online Training Program website.

After participating in the eHomeCare courses, individuals will be able to:

• Describe best practices for providing care and managing common issues for children requiring complex medical care at home.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of complications and determine appropriate responses when caring for children requiring complex medical care at home.
• Demonstrate enhanced confidence and competence in providing care for children requiring complex medical care at home.
• Collaborate effectively with healthcare team members to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for children requiring complex medical care at home.

Free continuing education credits are available.

If you have trouble enrolling in the course or need help, please email help@icep.wisc.edu.

The eHomeCare Program originally started as one course focused on trach and vent care through a partnership of several Wisconsin-based nursing schools and hospitals.  

DSCC provided funding and collaboration to expand the eHomeCare training program in response to family feedback on the need for more education and training on caring for children with complex medical needs at home.

We partnered with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to fund the project.

DSCC team members worked with eHomeCare developer Dr. Kim Whitmore and her team at Ujima United to add more courses to the training in collaboration with the Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

We hope the expanded eHomeCare training modules will be a valuable resource for families, caregivers and everyone involved in their children’s complex care at home.

New approval process for respite care for individuals enrolled in the MFTD waiver begins on Sept. 1

Families enrolled in the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver) will see a new approval process for respite nursing services.

This change will help make respite nursing services more respectful of your wishes.

Starting Sept. 1, 2025, nursing agencies must get your permission and official approval from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) before providing respite care to your child. This means a nursing agency or respite facility cannot use your respite hours unless you ask for them and agree to the plan.

Why This Change Is Important

We are making this change because families shared concerns that agencies and/or facilities used their respite care hours without their knowledge or permission. We want to make sure:

• You are always in control of when and how your family uses respite care.
• Respite services follow Medicaid and MFTD waiver rules.
• You know exactly how many respite hours are used and when.

What You Need to Know

• Each year, families in the MFTD waiver get 336 hours of respite care.
• Respite care is only available if the legally responsible adult (LRA) asks for it.
• Nursing agencies cannot use respite hours without your clear permission.
• If you request respite, the agency must fill out a form and get approval from DSCC before care begins.
• Respite hours don’t roll over to the next year and can’t be used as overtime.

If you think your child needs respite care, talk to your nursing agency about how many hours you want and when you need them. Please give them as much notice as possible (at least two business days before you need the care).

Your nursing agency will then contact DSCC to submit your request.

If something comes up at the end of the month and you need extra help, please talk with your nursing agency. They can work with you to request respite.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your DSCC Care Coordinator. They are here to support you through this process.

Thank you for your cooperation and partnership!

DSCC team members will be at the fair’s Sensory Station on Aug. 7-10 and help during special sensory-friendly Sunflower Hours on Aug. 9

We are excited to once again partner with the Illinois State Fair to support inclusive, accessible fun for families!

The 2025 Illinois State Fair is happening in Springfield from Aug. 7-17.

Our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) team members will be working at the fair’s Sensory Station. The fair is also offering sensory-friendly Sunflower Hours and other programming to make the fair a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.

DSCC at the Sensory Station

Thursday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Aug. 10
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Our DSCC team will be at the fair’s Sensory Station from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 10.

The Sensory Station is inside the Emmerson Building, just off Main Street and Brian Raney Avenue in the center of the fairgrounds. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. It is an air-conditioned, dedicated quiet zone with activities and resources to help visitors regroup and refocus.

The Sensory Station’s features and activities include:

• Calming pods
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Foam block pit
• Stuffed animal “petting zoo”
• Coloring station and more!

These tools and activities are for children and adults who need help processing the sights, smells, noises and crowds at the fair.

Nearby, the fair’s First Aid Station has rooms that families can use for adult changing stations as well as tube feedings and other needs. Volunteers from SIU Medicine operate the First Aid Station in the Emmerson Building Annex, across from the Dairy Building on Central Avenue. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Our DSCC team will also have a tent outside the Sensory Station on these four days. We will have coloring activities and information about our programs and services for families. Be sure to stop by and see us!

Sunflower Hours

Saturday, Aug. 9
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
 
Enjoy a quieter fair experience during Sunflower Hours on Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. During this time, the fair will adjust certain programs and activities to create a more calming environment for children and adults with sensory processing sensitivities.

The fair has Sunflower Hours stickers available for families to use during this timeframe. This sticker allows fair visitors with sensory sensitivities to enjoy select amusement rides for free during the Sunflower Hours. Riders must have the Sunflower Hours sticker and an adult and/or caregiver accompanying them.

DSCC has a limited number of stickers available for our program participants. To request a Sunflower Hours sticker, please email dscc@uic.edu with your name and your participant’s name by Aug. 1.

We will send stickers on a first-come, first-served basis.

All families may visit the Sensory Station during the Sunflower Hours event to get more stickers. The stickers will be available while supplies last.

Conservation World, located at the fairgrounds’ Eighth Street entrance, will also host Sunflower Hours on Aug. 9 and Aug. 12 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Fairgoers can explore the great outdoors in a more peaceful and sensory-friendly setting during these times.

Social Story and Other Resources

The Illinois State Fair has a social story to help you plan your visit to this year’s event. It is a step-by-step guide to help parents and caregivers explain what to expect during a visit to the Illinois State Fair.

You can find the social story and more details about the Sensory Station, Sunflower Hours, the entertainment schedule and more on the Illinois State Fair website.

We are proud to help support greater accessibility and inclusion at the 2025 Illinois State Fair.

Check out the video below to see more photos and activities at the Sensory Station: 

For more information about other sensory-friendly activities and events for children and families throughout Illinois, please visit our Events page and follow us on Facebook.

Learn practical strategies and tools to plan for the transition to adulthood during our free two-part series

Families can face new challenges and shifting roles as young people move toward adulthood.

Join the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) to learn more about navigating this journey during our free “Preparing for Adulthood: A Roadmap for the Future” webinar series.

The two-part series will feature Claire Cook, DSCC Title V Transition Specialist, and Suzanne Aaron, Northern Illinois Outreach Specialist for Illinois Life Span.

The sessions will cover:

• “Session One: Navigating Adult Systems,” June 26 at 6 p.m.
  
  This session is for youth ages 12 to 15 and their families. Families with children at other developmental stages are also welcome to attend.
  
  This session will provide practical tools for exploring and understanding adult systems, such as health care, education, employment and more. It will also cover strategies for balancing independence and guidance as family roles evolve.
  
  • “Session One: Navigating Adult Systems” flyer
  • Sign up on Zoom for “Session One: Navigating Adult Systems”

• “Session Two: Empowering Parents and Caregivers,” July 31 at 6 p.m.
  
  Session two is for parents, caregivers and families of youth ages 16 and older with complex needs and/or disabilities.
  
  Building on session one, participants will dive deeper into adult guardianship, health insurance, benefits and programs for youth with complex needs. The session will focus on creating meaningful daily routines while managing evolving family dynamics. It will also explore the role of support circles and how to make decisions that support youth and caregivers in the long run. 
  
  • “Session Two: Empowering Parents and Caregivers” flyer
  • Sign up on Zoom for “Session Two: Empowering Parents and Caregivers”

• “Primera sesión: Recorrer los sistemas de los adultos,” 26 de junio a las 6 p. m.
  
  Esta sesión es para padres, cuidadores, familias y jóvenes de 12 a 15 años. Las familias de jóvenes en otras etapas de desarrollo también son bienvenidas.
  
  • Consulte el folleto de primera sesión: Recorrer los sistemas de los adultos
  • Regístrese para la primera sesión: Recorrer los sistemas de los adultos

• “Segunda sesión: Empoderar a los padres y cuidadores,” 31 de julio a las 6 p.m.
  
  Según la primera sesión, este seminario web se centrará en tutela de adultos, seguro médico, beneficios y programas para jóvenes con necesidades complejas, crear rutinas diarias importantes mientras se maneja la dinámica familiar en evolución y la función de los círculos de apoyo y cómo tomar decisiones que apoyen a los jóvenes y a los cuidadores a largo plazo. Esta sesión ofrecerá a las familias conocimientos y estrategias adaptadas a sus retos únicos.
  
  • Consulte el folleto de segunda sesión: Empoderar a los padres y cuidadores
  • Regístrese para la segunda sesión: Empoderar a los padres y cuidadores

Each presentation will be in English. Live Spanish interpretation will be available.

The recordings and slides for both sessions will be available on our Family Education Webinars page.

If you have questions about the series, please contact Claire Cook at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722.

Please spread the word and plan to join us!

The new system offers faster, more efficient claims processing

Our new, centralized claims and provider management system for the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is now live!

This upgrade is part of our continued commitment to improve service delivery and strengthen our partnerships with providers by offering faster, more efficient claims processing.

The new platform offers a new and improved Provider Portal. Please note that the new Provider Portal is not yet available for our Core Program providers.

Here is what each group of providers needs to know:

Core Program Providers

As we launch our new claims processing system, please be aware that our previous Provider Portal is no longer available.

We are currently developing a new and improved Provider Portal for our Core Program-enrolled providers. We expect to launch the new portal in the coming months. For more details, please visit our Provider Portal page.

Home Care Nursing Agencies

Our new claims processing system combines NurseNet and the new Provider Portal into a single, streamlined solution to make managing claims easier and more efficient.

If your agency has not yet completed the Provider Portal Access form, please have a designated representative do so as soon as possible.

Please include all users your agency would like to access NurseNet, the Provider Portal or both. Once you sign the form electronically, it will automatically go to DSCC for review.

For more details about how to register and log in, please visit our Provider Portal page. You will also be able to find resources for using the new Provider Portal, including a tip sheet and how-to videos.

Our NurseNet site will be unavailable during scheduled maintenance from May 1-11

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) will implement a new claims processing system in May.

Our Provider Portal, a part of the new system, will improve our claims submission and provider management by integrating with our NurseNet site to consolidate all DSCC tools for providers in one place.

As part of this rollout, NurseNet will be unavailable while we link it with the new Provider Portal.

Maintenance Period

NurseNet will be unavailable during the following period:

• Start date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
• End date: Sunday, May 11, 2025

What Families Need to Know

• During the maintenance, NurseNet will be unavailable.  

What Nursing Agencies Need to Know

• During the maintenance, NurseNet will be unavailable.
  
• The Provider Portal testing site will still be available to test submitting claims.
  
• Following the launch of the new claims processing system, all DSCC applications, including NurseNet, will exist in the new Provider Portal. 
  
• If you have not yet, you can register for the new Provider Portal at any time. Please see our provider notice from April 18 for instructions.

Thank you for your patience during this downtime.  

Our DSCC team is dedicated to completing this process swiftly and effectively so that we can bring you an improved experience.  

If you have any questions or concerns about the NurseNet downtime, please email dsccexternalhelp@uic.edu. 

Families can also talk to their DSCC Care Coordinator about any needs or issues with their in-home nursing. 

We appreciate your partnership and understanding!  

HFS has received the necessary federal approval for the Jan. 1, 2025, rate increase to take effect.

We have an important update on the rate increase for in-home nurses originally set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has received the necessary federal approvals for the rate increase to take effect.

You will see the updated rates reflected on your next Prior Authorization for In-Home Shift Nursing letter (also known as the 2352).

The rate increase affects:

• Registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN) and certified nursing assistant (CNA) care
• In-home and facility-based respite care
• Nurse training rates

The increased rates are:

• RN, $57.78 per hour
• LPN, $48.15 per hour
• CNA, $32.10 per hour

You can find the updated rate table on our website’s Home Care Rate Table page.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) will begin paying nursing agencies the newly approved rate when our new CarePay claims software system goes live. We currently expect to launch CarePay in mid-May.

We are communicating with our enrolled home nursing agencies about this update as well.

After we transition to CarePay, DSCC will work with home nursing agencies to adjust payments for nursing services dating back to Jan. 1. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your DSCC Care Coordinator. We are here to help!