2024 IARF Legislative Priorities
Advancing solutions to ongoing workforce challenges in the provision of intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health services and supports remain top priorities for IARF. The following are top legislative priorities the Association believes will advance high quality services and supports in Illinois.
Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services Priorities:
Achieve 150% of Minimum Wage for DSP Wage Rate HB 4806 (Rep Mussman) / SB 3764 (Sen Villa): The top priority in the DHS-DDD Guidehouse Rate Study is raising the DSP wage rate to 150% of minimum wage, requiring an FY25 appropriation of $106.2M ($53.1M GRF/$53.1M FMAP).
Statewide DSP Rates Compared to Guidehouse Rate Study Target Rates
Chicago Area DSP Rates Compared to Guidehouse Rate Study Target Rates
Replacing Legacy Reporting Systems in I/DD SB 3433 (Sen Gillespie): Creates a Task Force to collaborate on upgrading the decades old Community Reporting Systems, otherwise known as ROCS, as well as any other applicable IT systems associated with ROCS that should need upgrading.
Addressing Caseload Challenges with ISCs HB 5762 (Rep. Ness): Caseloads for Independent Service Coordination Agencies (ISCs) serving children and adults with I/DD have increased exponentially, stressing their ability to meet DHS-DD expectations. It is necessary to increase resources to these organizations to increase staffing to manage caseloads.
Investing in I/DD Children’s Group Homes HB 5781 (Rep. Syed): Illinois’ ability to serve children & youth with I/DD in residential settings has reached a crisis stage. This legislation, similar to wage rates outlined in the Guidehouse rate study, would invest in frontline staff working in children’s group homes.
Contemporize Medication Administration Policies HB 3746 (Manley): This bill streamlines the process for nurses who need to document all administration of medication, empowers individuals with I/DD in managing medications, and brings regulations into compliance with federal requirements.
DSP Credentialing and Training Program Extensions HB 4643 (Rep Costa-Howard) SB 3432 (Sen Murphy): Extends the DSP credential pilot, the State Board of Education’s, and the Illinois Community College Board’s DSP pipeline programs an additional year so DHS-DDD can finalize updates to DSP training curriculum.
Dignity in Pay Act HB 793 (Mah): HB 793 would phase out the payment of subminimum wages to persons with disabilities, require the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force to produce a multi-year phase out plan, and increase the personal needs allowance for CILA residents.
Behavioral Health Services Priorities:
Increased Investments in Medicaid Mental Health Services (Appropriations): Collaboratively with our sister trade organizations, we will push for further investments that bring parity to the system; investments include those related to psychiatric services and the ongoing transformation of the state’s behavioral health crisis system.
Addressing the Ongoing Behavioral Health Workforce Crisis: As a result of joint legislative hearings early in the spring session, it’s expected that omnibus legislation of potential solutions will be filed to address the impact of the ongoing workforce crisis, including solutions to address recruitment and retention.
Reforming the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA) A number of potential legislative changes to the CESSA Act are expected to move through the General Assembly this session, including important reforms to the “involuntary commitment” process, the structure of the Regional Advisory Committees, and the overall implementation date of the Act.
Contact:
Luis Andrade
Vice President of Legislative Affairs & Special Projects
[email protected]
Emily Miller
Vice President for Behavioral Health Policy & Advocacy
[email protected]
Advancing solutions to ongoing workforce challenges in the provision of intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health services and supports remain top priorities for IARF. The following are top legislative priorities the Association believes will advance high quality services and supports in Illinois.
Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services Priorities:
Achieve 150% of Minimum Wage for DSP Wage Rate HB 4806 (Rep Mussman) / SB 3764 (Sen Villa): The top priority in the DHS-DDD Guidehouse Rate Study is raising the DSP wage rate to 150% of minimum wage, requiring an FY25 appropriation of $106.2M ($53.1M GRF/$53.1M FMAP).
Statewide DSP Rates Compared to Guidehouse Rate Study Target Rates
Chicago Area DSP Rates Compared to Guidehouse Rate Study Target Rates
Replacing Legacy Reporting Systems in I/DD SB 3433 (Sen Gillespie): Creates a Task Force to collaborate on upgrading the decades old Community Reporting Systems, otherwise known as ROCS, as well as any other applicable IT systems associated with ROCS that should need upgrading.
Addressing Caseload Challenges with ISCs HB 5762 (Rep. Ness): Caseloads for Independent Service Coordination Agencies (ISCs) serving children and adults with I/DD have increased exponentially, stressing their ability to meet DHS-DD expectations. It is necessary to increase resources to these organizations to increase staffing to manage caseloads.
Investing in I/DD Children’s Group Homes HB 5781 (Rep. Syed): Illinois’ ability to serve children & youth with I/DD in residential settings has reached a crisis stage. This legislation, similar to wage rates outlined in the Guidehouse rate study, would invest in frontline staff working in children’s group homes.
Contemporize Medication Administration Policies HB 3746 (Manley): This bill streamlines the process for nurses who need to document all administration of medication, empowers individuals with I/DD in managing medications, and brings regulations into compliance with federal requirements.
DSP Credentialing and Training Program Extensions HB 4643 (Rep Costa-Howard) SB 3432 (Sen Murphy): Extends the DSP credential pilot, the State Board of Education’s, and the Illinois Community College Board’s DSP pipeline programs an additional year so DHS-DDD can finalize updates to DSP training curriculum.
Dignity in Pay Act HB 793 (Mah): HB 793 would phase out the payment of subminimum wages to persons with disabilities, require the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force to produce a multi-year phase out plan, and increase the personal needs allowance for CILA residents.
Behavioral Health Services Priorities:
Increased Investments in Medicaid Mental Health Services (Appropriations): Collaboratively with our sister trade organizations, we will push for further investments that bring parity to the system; investments include those related to psychiatric services and the ongoing transformation of the state’s behavioral health crisis system.
Addressing the Ongoing Behavioral Health Workforce Crisis: As a result of joint legislative hearings early in the spring session, it’s expected that omnibus legislation of potential solutions will be filed to address the impact of the ongoing workforce crisis, including solutions to address recruitment and retention.
Reforming the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA) A number of potential legislative changes to the CESSA Act are expected to move through the General Assembly this session, including important reforms to the “involuntary commitment” process, the structure of the Regional Advisory Committees, and the overall implementation date of the Act.
Contact:
Luis Andrade
Vice President of Legislative Affairs & Special Projects
[email protected]
Emily Miller
Vice President for Behavioral Health Policy & Advocacy
[email protected]
