Provider Notice Issued 04/10/2020

​Date:    April 10, 2020

To:       Family Support Program Providers

Re:      Family Support Program – COVID-19 Guidance

This notice provides updated COVID-19 guidance to Family Support Program (FSP) providers that will be effective immediately and will extend only until the State of Illinois’ Stay-at-Home Order is lifted, as detailed here:  Gov. Pritzker's Stay_at_Home_Order

HFS encourages providers to use materials available through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as part of their internal education of staff, including: 

·         CDC Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

·         Printable resources (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html

·         Prevention and treatment suggestions (IDPH): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

Initial FSP Youth Enrollment Application

All required documents completed within the previous 180 days will be accepted as part of the Initial FSP Enrollment Application. 

Continued FSP Youth Enrollment and Residential Continued Stay Requests

Existing FSP Enrollments and/or Residential Continued Stay Requests approved by eQHealth Solutions, Inc. for an FSP youth are extended until the State of Illinois’ Stay-at-Home order is lifted. 

Signature Requirements

Signature requirements for Initial FSP Enrollment Applications will be waived, if documentation of the parent’s/guardian’s approval/consent is documented via email or via verbal attestation written on the applicable form, with the date and time that the verbal approval/consent was obtained and the initial and date of the staff who obtained the verbal approval/consent.  

Bedholds

Bedholds may be submitted for sequential seven (7) day spans up to 28 days. Bedholds are subject to clinical review and must include a plan for maintaining supportive services for the youth during their return home, and a clear plan for the youth returning to the residential facility once the bedhold time period has been completed. If the youth is not going to return, then a clear plan for discharge services must be included.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Behavioral Health via telephone at 217-557-1000 or via email at HFS.BBH@illinois.gov.

Kelly Cunningham

Interim Medicaid Administrator