Families have until Jan. 30, 2025, to share their input on a state plan amendment allowing CNAs to become paid family caregivers.

Families can now share their feedback to allow more parents/legally responsible adults (LRAs) to become paid caregivers for their children at home.

The public comment period is currently open for a state plan amendment allowing parents/LRAs to become paid caregivers if they are a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and employed by a nursing agency.

Currently, parents/LRAs are paid for providing skilled nursing services to their children if they hold an active registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) license. This rule applies to parents/LRAs of all children approved for Home Care Program services, regardless of the child’s age.

Allowing parents and caregivers who are CNAs to become paid caregivers is an important step in strengthening support for families of individuals who need in-home shift nursing.

This change requires an amendment to the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver). It also requires the creation of a new state plan amendment. Both approvals must be in place to allow for this change.

The public comment period for the new state plan amendment is now open until Jan. 30. You can read the public comment notice for the state plan amendment on the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) website.

Here is how you can review the amendment and share your feedback.

Review the Amendment

• Visit the HFS website to download and/or print a copy of the proposed state plan amendment.
  
• Email HFS.BPPC@illinois.gov to request a digital copy of the proposed state plan amendment.
  
• Review a hard copy of the proposed state plan amendment at HFS’ offices at:
  
  • 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
    Springfield, IL 62763
    
  • 401 S. Clinton
    Chicago, IL 60607

Share Your Feedback

HFS is accepting public input on the proposed state plan amendment through Jan. 30, 2025.

You can share your feedback in two ways:

• Email your input to HFS.BPPC@illinois.gov.
• Mail your written input to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attention: Bureau of Program and Policy Coordination, 201 South Grand Ave. E., 2nd floor, Springfield, IL 62763

This public comment process is one of the best ways you can make your voice heard.

Next Steps

In addition to the new state plan amendment, we have worked closely with HFS to incorporate this new rule into the MFTD waiver. This waiver amendment is currently under federal review for approval.

There is currently no set timeline for the state plan amendment and the MFTD waiver amendment to be approved.

Once approved, we will notify our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant families as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact your DSCC Care Coordinator at (800) 322-3722. 

Illinois’ Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant application is open for public comment until July 21

Illinois families, you have an opportunity to share your input on the state’s latest Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Title V Block Grant application and report.

The MCH Title V Block Grant is a federal and state partnership to improve the health and well-being of all mothers, infants and children. The block grant is authorized by Title V of the Social Security Act.

Every state receives MCH Title V Block Grant funds. At least 30 percent of these funds must support services for children and youth with special healthcare needs.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has managed Illinois’ Title V program for children and youth with special healthcare needs since 1937.

Each year, states must complete an application for future funding and an annual report of our MCH activities from the last federal fiscal year. DSCC has partnered with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to help with Illinois’ latest application.

The 2024 MCH Title V Block Grant Application and 2022 Annual Report are posted on the IDPH website. You can also see Illinois’ updated MCH Title V Block Grant Action Plan for 2021-25, which includes the Title V priorities, national performance measures and strategies.

You can share your comments or recommendations on these documents until noon on July 21.

Please send comments to Title V Coordinator Cassidy Chambers at Cassidy.Chambers@illinois.gov.

More details are on the IDPH website.

For more information about DSCC’s Title V role, check out our Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report.

The deadline to share feedback is June 30.

Families have an opportunity to share feedback on proposed updates to the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Children.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is the Medicaid agency responsible for the MFTD waiver. Many families in the Home Care Program have children who receive services through the MFTD waiver.

HFS must renew Illinois’ MFTD waiver every five years. HFS and the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) have partnered to make several changes as part of this year’s renewal process.

To review the full list of waiver updates, you can:

• See page 2 of the electronic copy of the proposed renewal application.
  
• Review a hard copy at HFS’ offices at:
  
  • 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
    Springfield, IL 62763
    
  • 401 S. Clinton
    Chicago, IL 60607

HFS now seeks public input on these changes. (You can read the public comment notice on the HFS website.)

The deadline to provide feedback is June 30.

You can share your feedback in two ways:

• Via email to HFS.HCBSWaiver@illinois.gov
• Via mail to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attention: Waiver Operations Management, 201 South Grand Ave. E., 2FL, Springfield, IL 62763

HFS will send your comments to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as part of the waiver approval process.

If you have questions, please contact HFS’s Waiver Operations Management Unit at (217) 524-4148 or (844) 528-8444.