Section 42.210  Eligibility for Grant

a)         Applicants shall meet the following requirements:

1)         Be a community provider as defined in Section 10-5 of the Act (Section 10-15 of the Act);

2)         Serve, in whole or in part, a designated MUA or MUP;

3)         Provide primary health care services, and

4)         Be "qualified" in accordance with GATA and the GATA Rules, 44 Ill. Adm. Code 7000.70.

b)         Applicants may apply for up to $3,000,000 in grant funding per application.

c)         Applicants may only submit one application for funding per funding opportunity.

d)         Letter of Intent

At least 30 calendar days prior to the application submission deadline, the applicant shall send a letter of intent to apply for grant funds to the Department and the Board by email as outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity that includes the following:

1)         The proposed grant project description, location and applicant.

2)         The proposed users of the primary health care services and service area, including identification of any MUA or MUP designations.

3)         The issues that create a high need for primary health care services, including any significant or unique barriers to care.

4)         Other providers of care in the service area, including any other FQHCs that receive funding under Section 330 of the federal Public Health Service Act or FQHC Look-Alikes.

5)         All primary health care services that will be provided, including mental health, substance abuse and oral health care services, as well as the mechanism for providing each service (e.g., direct service, referral).

6)         Project stage of development and the ability of the applicant to meet the requirements of this Part for program compliance.

7)         Readiness to receive funding, including the ability of the facility and providers at the new access point or expanded facility to be operational upon completion of the capital portion of the project.

e)         Notification Process

Upon sending the Letter of Intent, the prospective applicant shall send a copy of the "Notification of Application for State Funding of Community Health Center Construction" to other FQHCs and FQHC Look-Alikes in the service area. The application packet submitted to the Board shall include a copy of the completed notification form, as well as the names and addresses of individuals to whom the forms were sent, the organizations that the individuals represent, and the date of the notification. 

f)         Application

The application shall include, but not be limited to:

1)         A summary of the applicant's plan of action to address the goals of either:

A)        Establishing a new community health center site to provide primary health care services to MUP or MUA or to provide primary health care services to the uninsured population of Illinois; or

B)        Expanding the services of an existing community health center site to provide primary health care services to MUP or MUA or primary health care services to the uninsured population of Illinois; or

C)        Preventing or reversing the deterioration of an existing health center structure or its mechanical operations to prevent life, health or safety concerns for health center staff and patients.

2)         A project description that shall include the following information:

A)        Proposed service area and applicant description;

B)        Statement of need for the project;

C)        Project objectives;

D)        Plan of operation;

E)        Project timeline; and

F)         Detailed line-item budget.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 3732, effective February 29, 2024)