FY26 Renewal: The Older Caregiver Project (OCP)

The Older Caregiver Project (OCP) helps to strengthen the support system that will assist senior caregivers as they continue to maintain the child(ren) in their care as part of the permanency process. In cases where this is not possible, OCP seeks to assist the extended family in making a new and more appropriate arrangement that ensures the safety, well-being and permanency of the child(ren). (1) Full Assessment: The integrated assessment will focus on both the parenting capacity of the older caregiver and the wellbeing of the child(ren). Older caregiver assessments will include the following areas: personal information; their support network, especially with the extended family; their parenting history; financial issues; housing issues; their physical and cognitive status; their capacity to complete tasks of daily living; and the quality of their relationship with the foster/adoptive children. The child welfare assessment will include the following areas: birth family history, circumstances of placement, permanency goal and current legal status; individual functioning of the child(ren); relationship to caregiver and other significant family members; and the extent to which the home environment supports the child. The optional financial assessment will consider the caregiver's economic status, assets, debts, credit history, sources of income, ongoing expenses, and ability to manage money. The optional housing evaluation will provide information on maintaining older caregivers in their existing residence. It will focus on (a) improvements needed to maintain the structural integrity of the residence, and (b) environmental modifications that make the home more user-friendly for seniors. As needed, consultation around housing relocation options will be provided. Based on the results of the multi-level assessment, recommendations will be developed to address identified needs. (2) A resource assessment is identified as a condensed version of the full assessment in which no recommendation for placements is made. In the resource assessment, the provider will assess the caregiver's interactions with the child and reach out to doctors and others providing health care needs and other references and make assessments of services needs. The provider will make referrals and will continue to assist the family post assessment if requested for an additional 3 months.

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. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services must receive a full application.

NOTE: This application is for Year 2 or 3 of a multi-year award. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Complete the following: 1) UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR STATE GRANT ASSISTANCE

Renewal applications only.

Awarded applicants will receive two emails. One stating the status of the application has been updated to Approved. The second prompting to login to view the Award Details. Denied applicants will receive a letter of notice.

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.

Questions regarding this Notice of Funding Opportunity should be addressed to: ILDCFS Accountability Unit Email: DCFS.GATA@Illinois.gov