Baby-ZZZ Safe Sleep Program (Formerly Preventing Sleep-Related Infant Deaths)

Application Period: 04/24/2026 - 05/25/2026 : 4:30

Technical Assistance: Offered : Yes; Mandatory : No; Date : 05/11/2026 : 11CDT; Registration link : https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=maa655900deab859a297ae2473550462b

Apply here: https://idphgrants.com/user/home.aspx?Mode=Logout

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Application Documents

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State of Illinois Uniform Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Summary Information
Awarding Agency Name Public Health
Agency Contact Alexander J. Smith (alexander.j.smith@illinois.gov)
Announcement Type Initial
Type of Assistance Instrument Grant
Funding Opportunity Number BZSSP-27
Funding Opportunity Title Baby-ZZZ Safe Sleep Program (Formerly Preventing Sleep-Related
Infant Deaths)
CSFA Number 482-00-1357
CSFA Popular Name BZSSP
Anticipated Number of Awards 3
Estimated Total Program Funding $300,000
Award Range $0 - $100000
Source of Funding Federal and State
Cost Sharing or Matching No
Requirements
Indirect Costs Allowed Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs No
Posted Date 04/24/2026
Application Date Range 04/24/2026 - 05/25/2026 : 4:30
Grant Application Link Please select the entire address below and paste it into the browser...
https://idphgrants.com/user/home.aspx?Mode=Logout
Technical Assistance Session Offered : Yes
Mandatory : No
Date : 05/11/2026 : 11CDT
Registration link :
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=maa655900deab859a29
7ae2473550462b

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Uniform Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
D
1. Awarding Ageancy Name: Illinois Department of Public Health
2. Agency Contatct: Name: Alexander Smith
a Phone: 312-814-4035
Email: Alexander.J.Smith@illinois.gov
F
3. Announcement Type: ☒ Initial announcement
i
☐ Modification of a previous announcement
e
4. Type of Assistance Grant
l
5. IAngsetrnucmy eOnptp: ortunity BZSSP-27
d
6. NFuunmdbinegr :O pportunity Title: Baby-ZZZ Safe Sleep Program FY27
7. CSFA Number: 482-00-1357
8. CSFA Popular Name: Baby-ZZZ Safe Sleep Program
9. CFDA Number(s): 93.994
10 Number of Anticipated 3
. Awards:
11 Estimated Total Funding $300,000.00
.1 2 ASivnagillea bAlwe:a rd Range: $100,000.00
.
1 3 Funding Source: ☒ Federal or Federal pass-through
. Mark all that apply ☒ State
☐ Private / other funding
14 Is Cost Sharing or Match ☐ Yes ☒ No
. 1 5 R In e d q ir u e ir c e t d C ? o sts Allowed? ☐ Yes ☒ No
.
☒ Yes ☐ No
Restrictions on Indirect
Costs? If yes, provide the citation governing the restriction:
Federal Award does not allow for Indirect: §75.101(3)(d)(1)
16 Posted Date: 4/24/2026
.
17 Application Date Range: Start Date: 4/24/2026
. Leave the 'End Date' and End Date: 5/25/2026
'End Time' empty if there is End Time: 4:30 PM
no deadline.
18 Technical Assistance Session Offered: ☒ Yes ☐ No
. Session: Session Mandatory: ☐ Yes ☒ No
Date and time:
May 11, 2026;
Conference Info/Registration Link:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=maa655900deab859a297ae
2473550462b
Webinar number:
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
2634 619 5637
Page 1 of 10 (Updated 12/8/2025)
Webinar password:
NXrhP7e3ZJ4 (69747733 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone

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Agency-specific Content for the Notice of Funding Opportunity
A. Program Description
Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) are defined as deaths that occur suddenly and unexpectedly
in infants less than 1 year of age, and whose cause of death are not immediately obvious. Ultimately, these
cause of SUID may be due to suffocation, asphyxia, entrapment, infection, ingestions, metabolic diseases,
cardiac arrhythmias, trauma (accidental or non-accidental), or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SUID is
the 3rd leading cause of infant mortality in Illinois and the overall SUID rate in Illinois has remained steady
since 2000. During 2020, 111 babies died from SUID before their first birthday. Infants born to non-Hispanic
Black women are four times as likely to die from SUID as infants born to non-Hispanic White women; SUID is
one of the largest contributors to the inequity in overall infant mortality between Black and White infants in
Illinois. Furthermore, not only is SUID is more common among Infants born to non-Hispanic Black women, but
also, it is more common among residents of the city of Chicago and urban counties outside the Chicago metro
area; infants born to women younger than 25 years of age; and infants born to women who have had at least
one other child.
The Baby-ZZZ Safe Sleep Program seeks to partner with maternal and child health community stakeholders
to expand community-based promotion of safe sleep practices and employ a risk reduction approach to
improve sleep environments for all Illinois infants. Proposals emphasizing practices and resources that are
culturally appropriate to populations at greatest risk of experiencing SUID can earn up to 3 bonus points
during the scoring process. See IDPH 2024 Infant Mortality Report for additional information.
Program Objectives:
 Leverage the State of Illinois’ messaging campaign to promote consistent and inclusive safe sleep
messaging.
 Increase awareness about infant safe sleep practices and provide risk reduction education and training
for parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals such as home visitors, family case managers
and other community-based health care providers. Trainings/education may include, but are not
limited to, maternal stress, breastfeeding promotion, smoking cessation and sleep environments.
Identify social determinants of health and other barriers to safe sleep practices amongst families in
the community, and adopt culturally relevant resources/approaches to address these barriers (e.g.,
cribs, pack-n-plays, co-sleepers, sleep sacks).
 Employ risk reduction approaches that will acknowledge families’ existing practices and provide
additional opportunities to improve sleep environment and other safe sleep practices.
All proposals shall include a discussion of how the proposed activities will be monitored and
evaluated.
Successful Applicants will be expected to provide data demonstrating the impact of each activity on its
community of focus. In addition, all successful applicants will be expected to provide plans on how
activities will be sustained in the future, absent IDPH grant funding.
For this current application cycle, bereavement activities and hospital healthcare provider training are
not eligible for funding.
Community Baby Showers focused on safe sleep are permitted provided shower participants will be
engaged through strategies that fall under one or more of the other objectives.
B. Funding Information
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This award is utilizing ☒ federal pass-through, ☒ state and/or ☐ private funds.
C. Eligibility Information
Regardless of the source of funding (federal pass-through or State), all grantees are required to register
with the State of Illinois through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) website,
https://gata.illinois.gov/, complete a prequalification process, and be determined "qualified" as described
in Section 7000.70. Registration and prequalification is required before an organization can apply for an
award.
The entity is "qualified" to be an awardee if it:
1. has an active UEI (Unique Identity ID) number;
2. has an active SAM.gov account;
3. has an acceptable fiscal condition;
4. is in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, if the Illinois Secretary of State
requires the entity's organization type to be registered. Governmental entities, school
districts and select religious organizations are not required to be registered with the Illinois
Secretary of State. Refer to the Illinois Secretary of State Business Services website:
http://www. cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/home.html;
5. is not on the Illinois Stop Payment List;
6. is not on the SAM.gov Exclusion List;
7. is not on the Sanctioned Party List maintained by HFS.
1. Eligible Applicants
Each grantee is eligible to apply for up to a total of $100,000 for the one-year grant period.
Allowable Costs Include:
Staff salary, fringes, travel expenses, conference fees, equipment, supplies, direct administrative costs,
contractual services, printing costs, etc.
*Interest payments, charitable contributions are not allowable expenses
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Local health departments
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Rural health centers
Community-based organizations with 501-C3 status
This grant program is competitive, and funding is limited. Awards will be based on scores and
available funding. It is important to note that all applicants may not receive an award. The cap
amount is the highest award that may be provided, award amounts are determined based on the
score given during merit review, number of eligible applicants, and scope of services provided.
Please note that all awarded applicants will have an opportunity to adjust their submitted budgets
after awards are made to edit the total request.
3. Indirect Cost Rate
n/a
Annually, each organization receiving an award from a State grantmaking agency is required to enter
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the centralized Indirect Cost Rate System and make one of the following elections for indirect costs to
State and federal pass-through grants:
I. Federal Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA);
II. Election of the de minimis rate;
III. Election not to charge indirect costs; or
IV. Negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois.
The awardee shall make one election or negotiate a rate that all State agencies must accept unless
there are federal or State program limitations, caps or supplanting issues.
4. Other, if applicable
Administrative costs are capped at 10% of your total budget. These are necessary and reasonable costs
needed to administer the grant that are not related to the direct provision of services.
Allowable costs include:
• Accounting, budgeting, financial and cash management
• Procurement and purchasing
• Personnel and property management
• Payroll, audit and general legal services
• Oversight and monitoring of administrative activities
• Developing information systems and procedures related to administrative functions
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
Applications must be submitted via the Illinois Department of Public Health's Electronic Grants
Administration and Management System (EGrAMS), accessible at idphgrants.com.
Since high-speed internet access is not yet universally available for downloading documents or
accessing the electronic application, and applicants may have additional accessibility requirements,
applicants may request paper copies of materials by contacting:
Illinois Department of Public Health, Attn: Alexander Smith, 115 S. LaSalle, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
The application format is provided via EGrAMS as mandated for all Illinois Department of Public
Health Grants. The application MUST be completed in its entirety. This includes submission of all
mandatory forms required for all agencies.
Please note that “Instructions” boxes appear on screens throughout the EGrAMS online application,
and it is suggested that you click on these for additional guidance and tips for completion.
You MUST submit a completed application including all required documents via EGrAMS by the
deadline no extensions will be given.
3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant, unless the applicant is an individual or Federal or State awarding agency that is exempt
from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or
State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)), is required to:
i. Be registered in SAM before submitting its application. If you are not registered in SAM, this
link provides a connection for SAM registration: https://sam.gov/SAM/
ii. provide a valid UEI in its application; and
iii. continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during
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which it has an active Federal, Federal pass-through or State award or an application or plan
under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency.
The State awarding agency may not make a Federal pass-through or State award to an applicant until the
applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully
complied with the requirements by the time the State awarding agency is ready to make a Federal pass-
through or State award, the State awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to
receive a Federal pass-through or State award and use that determination as a basis for making a
Federal pass-through or State award to another applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
See 17 on Page 1 of this NOFO.
5. Intergovernmental Review, if applicable
n/a
6. Funding Restrictions
All grant funds must be used for the sole purposes set forth in the grant proposal and application
and must be used in compliance with all applicable laws. Grant funds may not be used as matching
funds for any other grant program unless specifically allowed under grant program guidelines. Use
of grant funds for prohibited purposes may result in loss of grant award and/or place the grantee at
risk for repayment of those funds used for the prohibited purpose. Regardless of the source of
funding (federal pass-through or State), all grant-funded expenses must be compliant with Cost
Principles under Subpart E of 2CFR200 unless an exception is noted in federal or State statutes or
regulations.
Allowability
Allowable – All grant funds must be used for items that are necessary and reasonable for the proper
and efficient performance of the grant and may only be used for the purposes stated in the grant
agreement, work plan, and budget. Items must comply with all applicable state and federal
regulations.
Allocable – Grant-funded costs must be chargeable or assignable to the grant in accordance with
relative benefits received. The allocation methodology should be documented and should be
consistent across funding sources for similar costs.
Reasonable – The amounts charged for any item must be reasonable. That means the nature and
amount of the expense does not exceed what a prudent person under the same circumstances
would expend; and that the items are generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the
performance of the grant.
Allowed Uses
Funding may be used for the following:
The Grantee will expend funds awarded under this agreement in accordance with the budget
approved and on file with the Department. Departmental approval of a budget, including
subcontractors or subgrantees, does not constitute written consent for the use of such services.
The Grantee will not commingle funds between separate grants or subgrants, even if the grants or
subgrants are related or the same population is being served.
Prior Approval ONLY
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With prior approval, funding may be used for the following:
Funding Use Prohibitions
Funding may NOT be used for the following:
The Grantee and any approved subgrantees or subcontractors shall not expend any funds for
promotional items. Promotional items include, but are not limited to: calendars, pens, buttons, pins,
magnets, gift cards, posters, and stationery. State of Illinois Grant Awards will not allow
reimbursement of pre-award costs, construction, or indirect costs.
Additional Funding Guidance
Source Documentation. Accounting records must be supported by such source documentation as
canceled checks, bank statements, invoices, paid bills, donor letters, time and attendance records,
activity reports, travel reports, contractual and consultant agreements, and subaward documentation.
All supporting documentation must be clearly identified with the Award and general ledger accounts
which are to be charged or credited. Records must be submitted with required financial reports for all
line-item expenditures exceeding $5000 in a reporting period.
7. Other Submission Requirements
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Strategies should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely, Inclusive and
Equitable (SMARTIE), and the outcomes and measurements should be aligned with the stated
activities.
Specific – Make your goals specific and narrow for more effective planning.
Measurable – Define what evidence will prove you’re making progress and reevaluate when
necessary
Achievable – Make sure you can reasonably accomplish your goal within a certain timeframe.
Realistic – Your goals should align with your values and long-term objectives.
Timely – Set a realistic end date for task prioritization and motivation.
Inclusive – It includes those most impacted—into processes, activities, and decision/policy-making in
a way that shares power.
Equitable – It includes an element of fairness or justice that seeks to address systemic injustice,
inequity, or oppression.
In addition, the following components must be submitted by all applicants to be considered for
funding:
 Applicant Organization Information
 Applicant Grant History
 Grant Project Proposal (Scope of Work)
 Staff and Organizational Experience (Scope of Work)
 Program Work Plan
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 Budget Justification
 Applicant Certification
 W-9 Form
 Key Personnel Resumes
In addition to the Health Equity Checklist points, applications will be scored based on the following
categories:
 Scope of Work: 65 points - (Community need; Applicant capacity; Target audience clearly
defined; Detailed activities; Monitoring and evaluating activities)
 Work Plan: 25 points – (Activities, outcomes and measurements are provided and aligned
with program goals and objectives; Information provided in the SMARTIE format)
Budget: 10 points - (Budget reasonable and justified
2. Review and Selection Process
 At least one grantee will be selected from the Chicagoland area; at least one grantee
will be selected from the St. Clair or surroundings counties; and at least one from the
Winnebago or surrounding counties.
 If there are no applicants from one or more of the areas listed above, the highest scoring
applications will be awarded in their place.
 Applications require a minimum of 70 points to be considered for funding.
Applications will be reviewed according to the evaluation criteria listed above. Decisions to fund a
grant are based on:
 The strengths and weaknesses of the applications as identified by reviewers;
 Availability of funds; and
 Applicant’s previous grant funding and complying with required reporting (i.e.,
progress reports, final reports, and expenditure reports), if applicable.
Team Review Process
Merit-based review of applications, unless disclosed above, is conducted by one or more review teams.
Each review team will consolidate scores, and final application rankings may be adjusted to address
variability between teams.
Merit-Based Review Appeal Process
For competitive grants, only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. Evaluation scores or funding
determinations/outcomes may not be contested and will not be considered by the Department's Appeals
Review Officer.
To submit an appeal, the appealing party must:
 Submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the grant application document through
IDPH's Merit-Based Review Appeal Request Form available here:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ed4d113385de41feb38964a8005ce72b
 Appeals must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice
was published.
 Appeals must include the following information:
 The name and address of the appealing party
 Identification of the grant
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 A statement of reasons for the appeal
 If applicable, documents or exhibits to support statement of reason
The IDPH Appeals Review Officer (ARO) will consider the grant-related appeals and make a
recommendation to the appropriate Deputy Director as expeditiously as possible after receiving all
relevant, requested information.
 The ARO must review the submitted Appeal Request Form for completeness and acknowledge
receipt of the appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
 The ARO will utilize an Appeal Review Tool to consider the integrity of the competitive grant
process and the impact of the recommendation.
 The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by the agency within the
time period set in the request.
 The ARO shall respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the
appealing party as to why additional time is required.
Documentation of the appeal determination shall be sent to the appealing party and must include the
following:
 Standard description of the appeal review process and criteria
 Review of the appeal
 Appeal determination
 Rationale for the determination
 In addition to providing the written determination, the grant-making office may do the
following:
 Document improvements to the evaluation process given the findings and re-review all
submitted applications.
 Document improvements to the evaluation process given the findings and implement
improvements into the following year's grant evaluation process.
 Provide written notice to the appealing party as to how the identified actions will be remedied.
Appeals resolutions may be deferred pending a judicial or administrative determination when actions
concerning the appeal have commenced in a court of administrative body.
3. Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates, if applicable.
Anticipated Announcement Date (if known): 6/12/2026
Anticipated Program Start Date: 7/1/2026
Anticipated Program End Date: 6/30/2027
F. Award Administration Information
1. State Award Notices
Upon completion of the submission and review process, each successful grantee will receive a grant
agreement to be signed by the entity’s authorized official. The grant agreement is not binding on the
parties until it has been fully executed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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A Notice of State Award (NOSA) shall be issued to the finalists who have successfully completed all
grant award requirements and have been selected to receive grant funding.
The NOSA will specify the funding terms and specific conditions resulting from applicable pre-award risk
assessments.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is exempt from utilizing the standard NOSA issued on
the GATA Grantee Portal. Successful applicants will receive an email notification from EGrAMS and
must review the funding terms and specific conditions in the grant agreement and accept utilizing an
electronically signature. Both the electronic signature in EGrAMS and a physical signature on the grant
agreement must be completed by an authorized representative of the grantee organization and
submitted to IDPH.
A Notice of Denial shall be sent to the applicants not receiving awards via EGrAMS.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
See Section C.3 Indirect Cost Rate and Section F.1 State Award Notices above
All grantees receiving one or more federally-funded subawards from IDPH equal to or greater than
$30,000 must provide compensation information within EGrAMS prior to issuance of an award.
Grantees will not be able to sign grant agreements or amendment agreements until this requirement is
complete. Annual completion of this requirement is necessary for multiyear grants.
3. Reporting
All grantees are required to submit reports on time as required by the Department.
Quarterly progress reports shall be submitted quarterly to the Department, electronically in the
format required by the Department. Monthly financial reports are due the 15th day of the
following month (Jan. 15th, Feb. 15th, etc.). Grantees may be asked to provide additional
reporting as required by the funder.
Failure to submit required reports in a timely manner will result in holding reimbursements and may
affect future funding to the grantee.
G. State Awarding Agency Contact(s)
Alexander J. Smith
Illinois Department of Public Health
115 S LaSalle Street, 7th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Telephone: 312.814.4035
E-mail: Alexander.J.Smith@illinois.gov
Sierra Wilson
Illinois Department of Public Health
115 S LaSalle St, 7th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60603
E-Mail: Sierra.M.Wilson@Illinois.gov
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H. Other Information, if applicable
Mandatory Forms -- Required for All Agencies
1. Uniform State Grant Application – Available at idphgrants.com for eligible applicants
2. New to EGrAMS, click HERE to see how to Get Started
3. Project Narrative (included in EGrAMS application)
4. Budget (included in EGrAMS application)
5. Budget Narrative (included in EGrAMS application)
Other program-specific mandatory forms:
Organization W-9; Resumes for key personnel included under Personal Services in the budget; and
Subcontractor agreements, as applicable
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