Family Run Organization (FRO) Operational Support Grants
🏛 Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Jul 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Family Run Organizations (FROs) in Illinois led by individuals with personal experience as caregivers for children with behavioral health needs. Eligible organizations must be selected FROs vetted through partnership with the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation. Organizations must serve families and caregivers of N.B. Class Members (Illinois Medicaid children under age 21 with complex behavioral health needs). No cost-sharing is required.
Awards support operational costs for serving families, providing subject matter expertise to care coordination organizations, and conducting community outreach. FROs cannot use grant funds for costs already covered by other grants or Federal sources including COVID-19 relief funds.
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Program description
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Bureau of Behavioral Health, is seeking approval to enter into a grant agreement with seven (7) Family Run Organizations (FRO) to support families and caregivers of N.B. Class Members (Illinois Medicaid children under the age of 21 with complex behavioral health needs), as required under the N.B. Consent Decree and authorized under a 1915(i) State Plan Amendment (SPA) approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
In order to meet these objectives, HFS is providing this grant to support select FROs. FROs are organizations led by individuals who have experience as a caregiver for a child with behavioral health needs and offer a unique perspective working directly with families regarding the various needs of the families with children who are N.B. Class Members, including staff with personal experience. The FRO will provide direct support to families who need access to behavioral health service for their children who are N.B. Class Members and will support families through the process of receiving behavioral health services. These FROs will also provide subject matter expertise to Care Coordination and Support Organizations (CCSOs) and other providers of Medicaid-covered behavioral health services regarding effective strategies for engaging with the families. The goal is to enhance the ability and skills of the families to engage in Medicaid-covered behavioral health services such as Pathways to Success. These FROs will also conduct outreach with community organizations that serve this population to provide additional supports to families that are not otherwise covered by Medicaid but are vitally important to help support families in their communities.
The Department identified specific FROs as viable grantees through a partnership with the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. The Foundation initially vetted and funded these FROs under a grant program specifically designed for these FROs. HFS is utilizing this grant process to continue to support the critical operations of these FROs.
The Grantee shall not spend the grant funds for costs for which the Grantee has received or will receive funds through other grants, insurance, State or Federal sources, including but not limited to Crisis and Referral Entry Service Line and the Provider Relief Fund, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness (“ASPR”) and any other source of financial recovery from COVID-19. This award is utilizing state funds. Funds will be issued pursuant to this grant agreement. A total of $1,700,000 is available through this funding opportunity. Applicants may request a minimum of $242,847 and a maximum of $730,000. Administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 478-00-3999).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Organizational documentation demonstrating FRO status and leadership caregiving experience
- Detailed operational budget and narrative justification
- Documentation of prior partnership with Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation (if applicable)
- Attestation of no fund duplication with other grants or Federal sources
- Project narrative describing family support activities and community outreach plans
Program contact
- 👤 Kristine Herman
- 📧 HFS.BBH@illinois.gov
- 📞 217-557-1000
FAQ
Who can apply for this FRO grant?
Only pre-selected Family Run Organizations vetted by the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation. Your organization must be led by individuals with personal caregiving experience for children with behavioral health needs.
What is the funding range?
Applicants can request between $242,847 and $730,000. The total pool is $1,700,000 across all selected grantees.
What activities can this grant fund?
Direct family support, behavioral health service navigation, subject matter expertise to care coordination organizations, and community outreach to support families.
Do I need to provide matching funds?
No cost-sharing or matching funds are required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is July 22, 2026, though confirmation of exact dates is recommended through Illinois HFS.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify your organization has been pre-selected by Illinois HFS before investing application effort. Not all FROs are eligible.
- Clearly document your organizational leadership's personal caregiving experience in your application narrative.
- Budget conservatively but comprehensively. Cover direct family services, staffing, and community outreach activities.
- Demonstrate your track record partnering with the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation or similar entities.
- Plan for compliance tracking. Ensure clear documentation that funds won't duplicate support from COVID relief or other State/Federal sources.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often fail to clearly document leadership's personal caregiving experience as a core FRO requirement. Organizations sometimes request funding for activities already covered by other state or federal sources, triggering fund duplication conflicts. Many struggle to articulate the FRO's unique role in family navigation versus clinical provider services.
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