Continuity of Care for Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiaries Following Incarceration

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the state’s single Medicaid agency, has received a planning grant to support implementation of Section 206 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2024. This initiative targets Medicaid-eligible youth involved with the justice system, with the aim of developing comprehensive strategies to identify, enroll, and support this population before and after their release from carceral facilities. Required services include screening and diagnostic services and targeted case management.

Provides funding for State Planning Grants to promote continuity of care for Medicaid & CHIP beneficiaries following incarceration. These agreements, managed by HHS-CMS, aim to improve healthcare coverage and outcomes for individuals leaving correctional facilities.

ISA has waived the indirect cost for this program.

Federal funds were received by HFS as a State Medicaid Agency. HFS will partner with an organization that represents county jails in Illinois.

The Reentry Planning grant beneficiaries are post-adjudicated incarcerated youth (under 21 years of age or between the ages of 18 and 26 under the mandatory former foster care eligibility group) enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP.

Registration and pre-qualification through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, www.grants.illinois.gov/portal.

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA) to initiate the grant agreement phase. During this phase, the selected applicant(s) will be contacted by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop a Uniform Grant Agreement, which can be months long process depending on complexity, cooperation and conformity with all applicable federal and state laws. HFS reserves the right to issue a reduced award, or not to issue any award if it is in HFS' best interest to do so. The NOSA is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs.

In addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the approved project proposal and budget, agencies selected for funding must comply with applicable grant terms and conditions and other legal requirements, HFS, and GATA.   Additional programmatic and administrative special conditions may be required.

Reporting Periods & Due Dates of Required Reports: - January 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026; Due July 15, 2026 July 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026; Due January 15, 2027 - January 1, 2027 - June 30, 2027; Due July 15, 2027 July 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027; Due January 15, 2028 - January 1, 2028 - June 30, 2028; Due July 15, 2028 July 1, 2028 - December 31, 2028; Due January 15, 2029 - January 1, 2029 - June 30, 2029; Due July 15, 2029