FY27 FAC Family Advocacy Centers

FY27 FAC Family Advocacy Centers

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

Core Services that Family Advocacy Centers (FACs) must offer to all clients must include advocacy, mentoring, parent support and training, general counseling, employment readiness training, support family and youth development, 18-21 services including Financial Literacy Training, and DCFS Alumni Services. These services may be one on one according to the specific needs of the client or in a classroom or group setting using a specific curriculum or through a network linkage with a community partner. FAC Providers must use evidence-based models of practice. All FAC Providers must form community linkages and a Provider network of services, including services offered by government agencies, that may be utilized by clients but may not be offered by the Provider. These linkage services must include, but are not limited to, housing, DHS Services: WIC; TANF; Medicaid; SNAP; healthcare; childcare, the DCFS Extended Family Support Program (Kinship Navigator Referrals), substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence. FAC Providers will be listed and have access to the State Provider Identification and Exploration Resource (SPIDER).

CLIENTS

Client includes family or household members of a DCFS open Placement or Intact Family case, DCFS child abuse or neglect investigation, or DCFS Office of Community Connections (OCC) referral. Client’s birth to six years of age must be a priority for the FAC. Relative Caregivers referred to the FAC by the DCFS Extended Family Support Program may be considered as a DCFS client if the family was involved in a child abuse investigation.

Clients may also include the following as allowed by program capacity:
• Closed DCFS cases referred to the FAC for aftercare and follow up services;
• Families that are not DCFS involved, referred to the FAC from other community agencies;
• Self-referred families (Walk-Ins);
• Post Adoption families who are at risk of DCFS involvement;
• Relative caregivers referred to the FAC by DCFS Extended Family
• Support (EFS) Providers as part of the Kinship Navigator program; and
• An adult, under the age of 30 at the time of connecting with a Family Advocacy Program, who was under the Guardianship and custody of DCFS for at least one day pursuant to a juvenile court order (DCFS Alumni).
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REFERRALS
Upon receipt of a referral, the FAC Provider must make contact with the referred client within three (3) working days to arrange an initial in person appointment either in the office or in the home of the referred client. The initial in-person appointment must occur within thirty (30) days. If the client cannot be reached by phone within three days or does not have a phone, the Provider must attempt to contact the client by mail and in person at their home. Client intakes are to be updated on a weekly basis in the FAC Data Base.

In-person contacts will continue to be required unless the Center for Disease Control or other local authority issues a shelter at home ordinance. While Virtual Groups are still allowed, all clients must be seen for an in-person assessment and at least one more time before services are concluded for re-assessment. For out of state clients or other extreme circumstance written exceptions need to be approved by the program monitor or program administrator.

The FAC Provider must complete Intake Assessments for all referrals made by authorized DCFS or POS staff meeting eligibility and intake criteria, except when the program is at capacity. Community referrals are handled at the discretion of the FAC as capacity allows. An Intake Assessment must also be completed for all community clients.

The Department caseworker or designated Department or POS staff person will identify eligible clients in need of services and provide written referral information. FAC Providers must maintain up to a 50% capacity of DCFS clients through Department referrals.

CLIENT CONTACTS

Initial Home Visit - After the initial assessment is completed the Provider must determine, based on needed services, whether or not the client requires more or less than weekly in person contacts. It is recommended that clients, who are not enrolled in weekly classes or groups, be seen at least twice a month. At least one in home visit must be made after the case is accepted and ongoing when appropriate.

For non DCFS cases Provider may offer the family an in-home safety assessment using CFS 2026 home Safety Checklist for Parents and Caregivers. If a family declines, Provider must document that the safety assessment was offered and declined to satisfy the in-home contact requirement.
• Ongoing in-home Visits - Can be agreed upon jointly by FAC Providers and caseworkers. FAC Providers should follow their own program guidelines for cases that are not DCFS involved.
• Other Client Contact – When a client misses more than one appointment or group/class without notification and the Provider is unable to follow-up with the client, the caseworker shall be contacted within 3 working days of the failed appointment or the second absence of the group/class.

This applies to active DCFS/POS intact and placement cases only.

In-person contacts will continue to be required unless the Center for Disease Control or other local authority issues a shelter at home ordinance. While Virtual Groups are still allowed, all clients must be seen for an in-person assessment and at least one more time before services are concluded for re-assessment.
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STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS
Para Professional: High School graduates with training in community advocacy, mentoring, parent support and training, employment readiness training, support family and youth development, 18-21 services including Financial Literacy Training, and DCFS Alumni Services. Those with specialized training in substance abuse, domestic violence, and certified parenting instructors may provide those services for which they have received certification and licensing. They are restricted from providing general counseling or any mental health services.

Semi Professional Qualifications: At a minimum, an associate degree in human services or a related field from an accredited community college, or two years of college from an accredited school, be 21 years of age or older, and have at least 2 years work experience in their area of job responsibility. Advocates with AA degrees may provide the same services as high school graduates and case management, including court-involved advocacy. They are also restricted from providing general counseling and mental health services. Direct Service Semi-Professionals also include paid senior college interns who are enrolled in social service degree programs at accredited schools. Regular personnel files must be maintained on those interns providing direct services to FAC clients.

Professional Qualifications: Direct Service Professionals must be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in human services or related field; have expertise with various crisis intervention techniques; possess good management skills and good written and verbal communication skills. Advocates with bachelor’s degrees may provide all the services provided by high school and AA graduates. These Advocates may also provide general counseling and any services that they are certified and licensed to provide under direct supervision, including case management and advocacy in court. They can also provide mental health services if licensed under the direct supervision of a master level licensed clinical supervisor. Professional Direct Service Professionals also include paid graduate interns who hold social service degrees from an accredited school.

Supervisory staff shall, at a minimum, be a graduate from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in human services, counseling or related field with a preferred minimum of five years of experience or two year’s supervisory experience. All supervisory staff hired after January 1, 2023, must possess an approved master’s degree from an accredited school. Supervisors must possess knowledge and understanding of program management with experience in supervision of staff and project completion. Supervisors must have a working knowledge of DCFS policy and procedures and show the ability to navigate between government and private agency practices. Supervisors must have knowledge of group work and general counseling and be familiar with the issues/concerns relative for program functioning and development.
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TARGET POPULATION

Inclusions: The Family Advocacy Centers first priority level of referrals must include children and families with an open Placement or Intact Family case with the local DCFS Field Office or Purchase of Services (POS) provider, with a special emphasis on client’s birth to six years of age.

The second priority level of referrals for Advocacy and Outreach must include all other families with an open Placement or Intact Family case with the DCFS Field Office or Purchase of Services (POS) provider and deflection cases referred by DCFS Child Protection staff as well as Intake Evaluations (CWS referrals), Extended Family Support Program referrals and DCFS Alumni.
The lowest level of priority includes Community referrals, when sufficient program capacity exists. DCFS will monitor compliance monthly for the above levels of priority through the FAC Data Base.

Exclusions for the Advocacy and Outreach program include clients outside of a one (1) hour radius of the local Field Office service area who are not DCFS Alumni, or those who may meet the inclusionary criteria but exceed the client- worker ratio or overall contract capacity. The following are conditions within the family which may cause exclusion from the program:
• When there are known or suspected safety issues for staff.
• Substance abuse of parent/child, which results in their refusal or inability to benefit from service.

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

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

Average Length of Services: TBD

The provider must obtain prior authorization from DCFS to serve clients outside of the program plan parameters. This includes, but is not limited to, serving community clients over the 50% mark and the average length of service.

The FAC must serve 50% or more DCFS involved families when the total number of referrals received from DCFS is at least 50% of the total number clients the provider is able to serve at any one time. FAC Managers/Supervisors must review the total number of clients and the total number of service hours to determine whether this has been achieved.

FAC Providers must maintain sufficient staff and client capacity to utilize at least 90% of their total Agreement amount. If 90% is not achieved, the Grant Agreement will be subject to review.
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PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND METRICS

• 100% of the program participants will receive a comprehensive assessment to determine family needs.
• 100% of families referred will receive face-to-face contact or an attempted face-to-face contact with program staff within 72 hours of admission into the program providing documentation of contact or attempted contact.
• 100% of clients will have services directly provided by FAC or be referred for community services as needed per the assessment.
• 90% of child/adolescent clients who reside in the home of parent at the time of referral and receive services will remain unified upon completion of FAC programming and follow-up services.
• 90% of the clients will not be the indicated subjects of additional reports of abuse or neglect during the service period.
• 100% of all successfully discharged families will have an aftercare plan established that helps ensure the family will maintain the gains made while receiving Advocacy Center services and also ensure that the family possesses the strengths necessary to continue future successes. If active services are not immediately required, then clients must be informed that they can return for follow up services when needed or desired as part of the discharge process.
• By the end of the first quarter, the program will develop a satisfaction survey for all program participants. Program participants will be surveyed at the time of discharge from the program. The program will report on the results of the satisfaction surveys as part of the quarterly reporting process to DCFS. This will begin with the second quarter and all subsequent quarterly reports.
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GEOGRAPHIC/SERVICE PROVISION AREA(S)

1. $346,236.00 — Cook – South
2. $348,540.00 — Cook – South
3. $221,124.00 — Alexander, Union, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski, Pope, Johnson
4. $319,932.00 — Cook - South Suburbs
5. $793,644.00 — Adams, Brown, Pine, Schuyler, Cass, (also includes Morgan County)
6. $356,820.00 — Cook – South
7. $312,300.00 — St. Clair
8. $550,332.00 — Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford
9. $423,972.00 — Effingham County, (also includes Clay County)
10. $307,056.00 — Cook - South Suburbs
11. $153,948.00 — Cook - Central/South
12. $421,800.00 — Champaign
13. $466,152.00 — Bloomington, McLean
14. $1,707,424 — Cook - Northern Region (Aurora - Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Will)
15. $286,596.00 — Cook – South
16. $324,792.00 — Rock Island
17. $555,288.00 — Cook – Chinatown
18. $371,532.00 — Cook - Central/South
19. $733,300.00 — Cook – North, LaSalle, Dekalb
20. $358,320.00 — Vermilion
21. $326,928.00 — Lake
22. $427,080.00 — Cook – South
23. $468,048.00 — Sangamon, Christian
24. $362,496.00 — Macon
25. $369,936.00 — Cook - Central/South
26. $1,010,091.00 — Whiteside, Carrol, Lee, Putnam, Bureau, Henry, (also includes JoDavies, Stephenson, Ogle)
27. $425,172.00 — Jefferson, Marion
28. $686,928.00 — Will, Kankakee
29. $400,000.00 — Jackson, Franklin, Williamson
30. $411,780.00 — Winnebago, Boone, McHenry

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-1315
• CSFA Popular Name: Family Advocacy Centers
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Family Advocacy Centers
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Modification Of Previous Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $14,247,567.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 30
• Funding Sources: State
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-04-23
• 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.