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Customer and Stakeholder Listening Sessions: Medicaid Managed Care for current and former youth in care (currently YouthCare)
We want to hear from you!
HFS, DCFS, and OMI will be holding listening sessions to hear from youth in care, former youth in care, caregivers, case workers, providers, and others to help inform the upcoming re-procurement of the Specialty Managed Care Plan for Youth in Care and Former Youth in Care (currently YouthCare). Your feedback will help shape how health care services are delivered to this population in the future (physical, behavioral, dental, etc.)
The re-procurement process is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026, with a Request for Proposals (RFP) expected to be released in late summer. The new DCFS Specialty Managed Care Plan contract is anticipated to begin January 2028.
Who do we want to hear from?
Youth currently or former youth in care; foster parents and caregivers; providers supporting youth in care; advocates, caseworkers, and other stakeholders supporting youth in care. Youth in care and former youth in care are Medicaid-eligible and typically enrolled in HealthChoice Illinois - YouthCare. Your lived experiences are critical to helping us understand how the system works for youth in care and former youth in care.
Because the procurement is subject to the procurement code, HFS will be listening and registering your comments and will not be able to answer questions or respond during these sessions. If you have any questions regarding the procurement process, please submit via email to: HFS.Procurement@illinois.gov.
We are especially interested in learning:
What works well and where do you see gaps or opportunities to improve related to…
Access to care (including physical health, behavioral health, dental, etc.)
Care coordination
Transitions
How can managed care better meet the medical, behavioral health, and developmental needs of youth in care?
Any other feedback
Why are we doing this?
These listening sessions are an opportunity for youth in care, former youth in care, and those who support them to share real experiences with Medicaid managed care. Your input will help HFS and DCFS:
Improve access to timely and appropriate care
Strengthen care coordination for youth in care
Improve quality and continuity of services, especially during placement change
Schedule information
2026 Timeline
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Meeting Modality
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Location
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Registration Details
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January 28
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Virtual Time: 11am - 1pm
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Virtual: Web Ex
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February 11
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In-person - Chicago Time TBD ADA Accessible
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Location TBD
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TBD
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February 25
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Virtual Time TBD Closed Captioning Available
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Virtual
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TBD
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March 2
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In-person - Springfield Time TBD ADA Accessible
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Location TBD
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TBD
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