Statewide listening sessions, annual summits, and direct outreach created structured spaces for individuals with IDD, families, providers, and advocates to give candid feedback on the system.

Surveys and online outreach captured input from people unable to attend in person, helping surface regional differences and voices typically excluded from traditional planning.

Recurring themes included workforce shortages, inconsistent service access, housing barriers, transportation challenges, and the need for stronger person-centered supports.

Statewide listening sessions, annual summits, and direct outreach created structured spaces for individuals with IDD, families, providers, and advocates to give candid feedback on the system.

Statewide listening sessions, annual summits, and direct outreach created structured spaces for individuals with IDD, families, providers, and advocates to give candid feedback on the system.

Statewide listening sessions, annual summits, and direct outreach created structured spaces for individuals with IDD, families, providers, and advocates to give candid feedback on the system.

IARF is serving as the lead on overall grant administration and project management for the coalition's work.

A major initiative is building a comprehensive data dashboard to track individuals seeking and receiving services, developed with contractor Provisio and Service, Inc. (an ISC agency), with a data licensing agreement finalized and under DHS review.

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In partnership with Amie Lulinski Consulting, IARF is building a web resource to help individuals with disabilities, families, and guardians navigate and access existing services and supports statewide — still being refined with data from the Arc's listening sessions.

Up to six expos are being scheduled across Illinois through Fall 2027, targeting a broad audience from new service seekers to existing participants to the general public. Sessions will address PUNS enrollment/waitlist, Medicaid eligibility, HCBS waiver programs, residential options, adult transition services, vocational rehab and employment, and legal services.

Each workstream involves external experts, consulting partners, and data from other coalition members (e.g., Arc listening sessions), reflecting the integrated design of the initiative.

Statewide listening sessions, annual summits, and direct outreach created structured spaces for individuals with IDD, families, providers, and advocates to give candid feedback on the system.

Surveys and online outreach captured input from people unable to attend in person, helping surface regional differences and voices typically excluded from traditional planning.

Recurring themes included workforce shortages, inconsistent service access, housing barriers, transportation challenges, and the need for stronger person-centered supports.

Statewide listening sessions, annual summits, and direct outreach created structured spaces for individuals with IDD, families, providers, and advocates to give candid feedback on the system.

Flyers and web-based directories are being finalized for both BHC services and CTP programs, with presentations scheduled at the 2026 Arc Annual Convention and the Illinois Center for Transition and Work Symposium in April.

Collectively, the Institute's efforts have engaged roughly 250 individuals across DIP, BHC, and CTP initiatives, spanning providers, families, self-advocates, and higher education partners.

UIC built a Qualtrics survey covering self-advocacy, services, system knowledge, and demographics. Approximately 500 responses were received before the survey closed May 2026.

UIC received transcripts from the Arc's statewide listening sessions, codes them, and sorts findings into themes. A final report will synthesize both survey and listening session data.

UIC reviewed all current Medicaid HCBS 1915(c) waivers serving adults with IDD across all 50 states, cataloging case management delivery models, caseload limits, monitoring schedules, provider qualifications, training requirements, and person-centered planning requirements.