FY27 CCN Crisis Center Nursery Program

FY27 CCN Crisis Center Nursery Program

This grant award will have an initial period of performance starting in FY27 (07/01/2026 (or upon execution of the agreement) through 06/30/2029). A budget should be submitted for FY27 only.
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Providers service array under the DCFS Agreement includes free emergency and respite childcare to children birth through six years of age, available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for the purpose of: facilitating parenting breaks, promoting stress reduction, family stability, positive parenting and reducing/eliminating the risk of child abuse and/or neglect.

Additional services may include: home visiting services, planned parent and child support groups, and parent/child interaction groups. Follow-up consists of evaluating the potential need for additional emergency or planned respite childcare and an assessment of need for other subordinate services. Families in need of basic items such as clothing for children, diapers and formula will be offered this assistance. Services aim to support all parents and families, with a specific focus on those at the highest risk, such as families involved with the Department.

The Provider works with parents to develop practical solutions to their problems, find resources within their communities, and make positive long-term differences in their lives. The Crisis Nursery helps families remain intact, achieve safety and stability, and develop the protective factors that promote the long-term well-being of parents and children and reduce the risk for negative outcomes.
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DETAILS

The purpose of the Crisis Nursery programs is to reduce parental stress, change parenting skills, and reduce the risk of child maltreatment. The families served often need family stabilization, child abuse prevention or other critical support services. The Provider shall meet these needs by offering emergency shelter that provides short-term care for children ages birth through six and families who are experiencing a disruptive crisis such as domestic violence, medical issues, mental health issues, home crisis/homelessness, substance abuse, parental stress, legal issues, job or school issues, or family instability. The Provider shall ensure service delivery of interventions, community-based referrals, and needed support to families to get through a difficult time, re-stabilize, and strengthen their family bonds.

Referrals shall be accepted from DCFS, community agencies, schools, social service providers, hospital or medical providers, family and/or friend referrals or by self-referral through contacting the Crisis Nursery directly.

The Provider shall conduct services as a center-based program that serves families within geographical regions. The Provider will track and maintain records to verify service delivery through admission records, client contact notes, home visiting/group participation documentation.

The Provider shall meet all essential components and be prepared to provide documentation for service delivery for clients engaged in:
• Emergency and respite childcare/crisis counseling available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, delivered on-site at the Crisis Nursery facility. The Provider shall staff daily shift rotations and adhere to all DCFS licensing standards;
• Crisis Nursery Program supportive services that may include: Parent Support Groups, Parent Education Classes, and Parent/Child Interaction Groups. These are designed for parents who are interested in mutual support and acquiring positive parenting skills. Parents will be referred to these groups as appropriate. Parents who participate in groups or classes will have childcare available. These groups will offer recreational and educational activities;
• Home Visiting services, if deemed appropriate, will be provided to families utilizing Crisis Nursery services. During a Home Visit, Parent Educators will reassess the family for additional needs and provide resource and referral linkage;
• Follow-up services that identify the potential need for additional emergency or planned respite and an assessment of need for other subordinate services;
• Linkage to services and resource referrals;
• Subordinate services made available such as basic needs (formula, diapers, clothing, and other childcare needs) and transportation (provided to families in severe crisis situations).

The program shall promote the development of protective factors, which include parental resilience, knowledge of parenting and child development, social connections, concrete support in times of need, and children’s social and emotional development.

The Provider shall prioritize services for families according to the severity of the family crisis. When children and family eligibility criterion are satisfied, admission decisions are made on a case-by-case basis based on the severity of each family's situation. Walk-ins may be accepted if the family meets the admission criteria and space is available. Program staff will be responsible for responding to crisis calls, assessing the needs of the family, determining if the family meets eligibility criteria, and estimating the family’s length of stay. The Provider will complete the intake forms, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that all appropriate information is documented and that the program staff is aware of any significant information regarding the children.

Provider will make every effort to accommodate families to ensure services are provided in the primary language or method of communication of each child and, as applicable, to the child’s parent(s), guardian(s) and/or other significant persons involved with the child.

The Provider must hold a current license or valid permit from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and adhere to Illinois Administrative Code Part 404, which outlines the licensing standards for Child Care Institutions and Maternity Centers.

If the provider is located within a “Home”, the provider must hold a current license from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and adhere to the Illinois Administrative Code Part 401, which outlines the licensing standards for Child Welfare Agencies and Illinois Administrative Code Part 403, which outlines the licensing standards for Group Home and Child Welfare Agency.
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Referral Decision-Making Criteria

The referral process includes self-referrals from families and referrals from other community agencies. Clients and other professionals can contact the Provider hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to schedule an admission intake. The intake will be scheduled as soon as possible, and in crisis situations the intake will be completed immediately. Clients will be admitted to the program if their child(ren) is 6 years of age or younger, the child is up to date on his/her/their immunizations or if the caregiver is working towards updating the child(ren) on all immunizations, and the reason for admission qualifies as a crisis. If clients are declined services, then staff will work with them to provide other resources and referrals. The referral and admission process to use family support services is initiated when an internal or external referral is received for home visits and/or parent support groups.
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Admission Notification Procedures

Parents/caregivers are served using a triage system in which the greatest crisis or emergency need is served first. The Provider will accept all referrals as defined in this program plan except when the facility is at capacity. If a referral is rejected, the family (and DCFS worker, if applicable) will receive notification within 24 hours and will be given alternative times for admission and community linkages and resources. Clients and referral entities will be informed verbally. Children must meet eligibility criteria.

Caregivers are informed of their admission to the program during the intake process verbally. The intake interview process is shortened in an extreme emergency or crisis. Only the necessary consents and immediate information about the child and family are completed so services can be used immediately. Clients are provided with client’s rights and responsibilities at intake and asked to abide by these expectations. The signed client’s rights and responsibilities document is placed in the client file.

An indication of the family's presenting problems, the child and family's eligibility for admission, or the reasons for ineligibility (if applicable) will be documented on the Initial Contact Form by the Family Advocate, or designee.

For home visiting and non-crisis services, the Provider will contact the referral source to discuss process of services. The Provider will then contact the family being referred to schedule a home visit or inform the family of parent support opportunities.
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STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS

Direct Service
Child care supervisors shall have the following qualifications:

• be at least 25 years of age;
• have at least two years of college credits;
• have at least two years of full-time experience in a residential childcare program;
• demonstrate skill in working with and managing children of the type served in the program; and
• demonstrate ability to work cooperatively with administration, staff, and persons external to the program.

Child care workers shall work under the supervision of a child care supervisor and shall have the following qualifications:
• be at least 18 years of age, if there is an on-site supervisor. If there is no on-site supervisor, childcare staff must be at least 21 years of age;
• hold a high school diploma or GED certificate;
• be in good physical and mental health;
• have the capacity to accept the supervision within the childcare program and to relate constructively to authority; and
• demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with other staff and a variety of persons external to the program, including representatives of other institutions and agencies and parents of the children.

Supervisory
The administrator is that person designated by the board of directors to carry out established policies and procedures and the day-to-day management of the Crisis Nursery.

An administrator shall have:
• a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and three years' work experience with children, at least two of which were in institutional or other residential group care programs and at least an additional two years of administrative experience; or
• a master’s degree in a human services field from an accredited school and three years’ work experience with children, at least two of which were in institutional or other residential group care programs and at least an additional two years of administrative experience; or
• a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, five years' work experience with children, at least three of which were in institutional or other residential group care programs and an additional two years of administrative experience.

If there is no social work supervisor, the administrator shall, in addition, meet the qualifications for a social work supervisor as defined in Section 404.19 of the Illinois General Assembly Administrative Code.
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MINIMUM STAFFING EXPECTATIONS

Provider shall always maintain staff-to-child ratios as outlined in the DCFS licensing standards. Proof of maintenance of required staffing ratios according to the BH Consent Decree shall be monitored through staff and volunteer schedules and staff timesheets.

Regarding the Crisis Nursery Administrator:

• All persons currently serving as administrator who have served in that capacity for a minimum of five years prior to April 1, 1997, at the Crisis Nursery shall be deemed qualified.
• A person or persons shall be appointed to act in behalf of the administrator when the administrator is absent.
• If the administrator is to be on leave for more than one month or has left prior to a replacement, the Department shall be notified of the name of the person appointed as acting administrator. The acting administrator shall have the qualifications of an administrator. The notification to the Department shall include documentation that the acting administrator meets the qualifications to be an administrator.
• The Department shall be notified when there is a change of administrator. The notification shall include documentation that the individual meets the qualifications to be an administrator. (Source: Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 9976, effective July 1, 2005)

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TARGET POPULATION

Client: Child(ren) between the ages of birth through six years of age whose family are in a crisis are considered clients. Crisis can be defined as anything that puts a child and their family at risk. Based on the child and family’s unique situation and needs, care under this Agreement is assessed and provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with the goal of assisting families in reaching stabilization.

A client may also refer to a child’s caregiver or legal guardian who is seeking respite for children under the age of 7 years. Under this Agreement, a client will refer to a child between the ages of birth through six years of age or caregiver who is deemed in crisis and in need of 24-hour emergency crisis care services and/or community resource referral.

The Provider serves both DCFS and non-DCFS clients.

Inclusions:
Clients considered appropriate for services under this contract are families with children ages 0-6 years old who may be in danger of child maltreatment or neglect and/or families impacted by homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, and/or domestic violence. Children with intellectual/developmental/physical disabilities can be served, including children with moderate delays. Children with chronic and/or moderate medical and physical problems can be served. Provider services will be provided to DCFS clients as well as non DCFS families. Under this Agreement, children and families at risk of or currently involved with the Department will be prioritized for care due to the increased risk due to circumstances initiating Department involvement.

Exclusions:
Children may be excluded from admission for the following reasons:
• Children who have a contagious condition per Department of Health Standards/Department of Public Health/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Children who have medical or physical disabilities that require special care;
• Children who are actively suicidal, homicidal, or require the use of restraint;
• Children who require extensive behavioral management and support beyond the capabilities of the staff and the Nursery;
• Children who are 7 years of age or older.

Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: TBD
Capacity at Any Given Time: TBD

Client Capacity Under Program: TBD
Capacity at Any Given Time: TBD

There is no limit on the number of children/parents/families that can be served at one time through other program services, which include the helpline, crisis counseling, parenting education and support, referrals to community resources, home visits, and donations of essential items to families in need.

Average Length of Services: Length of stay varies from case to case. 72 hours serves as a guideline for maximum length of care per visit, but should a child need to stay longer due to an ongoing crisis, approval may be obtained by the designated crisis nursery staff.

The provider must obtain prior authorization from DCFS to serve clients outside of the program plan parameters.
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PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND METRICS

The provider shall conduct services with a goal of achieving the following:
• To reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect;
• To decrease parental stress; and
• To improve parenting skills and knowledge.

The Provider shall conduct the ARCH-1 Annual Survey as a program evaluation tool at the client level. The ARCH-1 survey will be offered as a parent self-reporting tool that is completed by the parent retrospectively at the first respite care visit. The Provider shall track the progress made towards achieving its goals.

ARCH-1 Survey Expected Outcomes

95% of the families served will report that the Crisis Nursery’s services helped reduce their stress levels;
95% of the families served will report that the Crisis Nursery's services helped protect their child(ren) from harm;
95% of the families served will report that the Crisis Nursery's services helped improve their parenting skills;
95% of the families served will report a satisfaction rating of "good" or "excellent" for services provided.

Additional Output Measurements

Safety:
• Report the number of crisis childcare hours provided
• Report the number of families that requested service(s)
Permanency:
• Report the number of public awareness and education activities facilitated by staff
• Report the number of people attending public awareness and educational events facilitated by staff
Well-Being:
• Report the number of fathers participating in program services
• Report the number of families who received basic needs (diapers, formula, toiletries or funds used for other items of need
Accountability:
• Report the number of clients satisfied with program services as evidenced by satisfaction surveys

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GEOGRAPHIC/SERVICE PROVISION AREA(S)

1. Up to $250,000 – Cook Region
2. Up to $250,000 – Southern Region (please list counties you will serve)

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-3576
• CSFA Popular Name: Crisis Nurseries
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Crisis Center Nursery Program
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $500,000.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 2
• Funding Sources: State
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-04-24
• Award Period: 2026-07-01 – 2027-06-30

Funding Restrictions

Grant awards will be subject to state statutory requirements that limit the administrative costs to 20%. Fringe benefits cannot exceed 25% of total salaries.

Indirect Cost Description

Indirect Costs are allowed. To charge indirect costs to a grant, the applicant organization must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).

There are three types of NICRAs:

1. Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding, may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The organization must provide a copy of the federal NICRA.

2. State Negotiated Rate. The organization may negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate. If an organization has not previously established an indirect cost rate, an indirect cost rate proposal may be submitted to the State of Illinois through the indirect cost rate system no later than three months after the effective date of the award. If an organization previously established an indirect cost rate, the organization must continue to use that rate until its expiration. Upon expiration, the organization may re-submit a new indirect cost proposal through the system annually, within six months after the close of the grantee’s fiscal year, OR an organization may elect to use the de minimis rate instead of their State Negotiated Rate.

3. De Minimis Rate. An organization may elect a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct cost (MTDC). Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate.
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NOTE
• All grantees must complete an indirect cost rate negotiation or elect the De Minimis Rate in the indirect cost rate system to claim indirect costs. Indirect costs claimed without an established negotiated rate or a De Minimis Rate election in the system may be subject to disallowance.
• Grantees have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Grantees that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs.
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Restrictions on Indirect Costs

Yes

Citation Governing Indirect Cost Restriction

2 CFR 200.414(c)

State Award Notices

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
All applications must be submitted by the posted deadline. IDCFS staff conducts an initial review of all applications received for eligibility and GATA compliance. Reviewers may consist of DCFS GATA staff, division leadership, and other internal DCFS staff. Each proposal will be reviewed by a minimum of three reviewers. The review and selection of grant award recipients is conducted in a fair and equitable manner that evaluates and selects grantees most likely to be successful in delivering results based on program objectives, and with limited disruption to the continuity of services. Proposals will be approved based on funding available.

While recommendations from the review team will be a key factor in funding decisions, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the scores of the review team to be non-binding recommendations. The Department reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of awards (e.g., ensuring coverage of certain counties or service areas), client needs, and overall programmatic/ financial risk assessments in its pre-award decisions. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.

Final award decisions will be made by the Director (or their designee). The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, locations, etc. Funds are disbursed based on the schedule agreed upon and included within the Uniform Grant Agreement. The release of this Notice of Funding Opportunity does not obligate the Department to make an award.
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AWARD NOTIFICATIONS
An award status notification (approval or denial) will be delivered via an automated email from Euna Grants. This email will serve as notification that an award has been made. However, this email is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs.
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APPEALS
Competitive grant (and in some cases non-competitive) appeals are limited to an appeal related to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested.

An appeal must be submitted in writing in accordance with the grant application document. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days of Award denial.
The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
i. the name and address of the appealing party
ii. identification of the grant for which you are appealing the evaluation/review process
iii. a statement of reasons for the appeal

Response to Appeal
a. DCFS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
b. DCFS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
c. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by DCFS within the time period set in the request.

Reporting

Grantees will be expected to submit both (monthly or quarterly) periodic performance reports and monthly financial reports. The exact reporting requirements of this award will be defined in the program plan of the Uniform Grant Agreement.