Section 663.100  Eligibility for Grant Program Award for Sickle Cell Prevention, Care, and Treatment and for Sickle Cell Education and Outreach

a)         The Department shall set application criteria and standards of eligibility for groups or organizations who apply for grant funds under the program. (Section 131-15 of the Act)

b)         The highest priority for grants shall be given (Section 131-15 of the Act):

1)         To established sickle cell disease community-based organizations throughout Illinois; and

2)         To the establishment of sickle cell disease centers in underserved areas that have a higher population of sickle cell disease patients.

3)         Organizations that are eligible to apply for grants include:

A)        Community based organizations in Illinois with at least 2 years’ experience serving people with sickle cell disease and their families;

B)        Community based organizations in Illinois with medical specialists and allied health professionals providing sickle disease and sickle trait care, management, education, training, services, and/or resources and aiming to implement, expand, or improve an interdisciplinary approach dedicated to care for people in Illinois with sickle cell disease and sickle trait through, for example:

i)          Comprehensive care clinics;

ii)         Telehealth services;

iii)        Infusion service; and

iv)        Acute and chronic pain management programs.

C)        Community based organizations in Illinois whose program goals, objectives, and/or scope of work are demonstrably aligned with published national guidelines and evidence-based practice for acute and chronic care management from sources such as the American Society of Hematology, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Professional Associates, and others.

D)        Community based organizations in Illinois who have three or more years’ experience collaborating with the DPH in networking activities to improve knowledge, awareness, and coordination of services for people in Illinois with sickle cell disease and sickle trait.

c)         Grant applicants must register with the State of Illinois, to complete a prequalification process, and be determined qualified per requirements of the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act, and all other applicable law and Codes.