Social Health Care Network (SHCN) Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for established nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations (CBOs) seeking to build a statewide Medicaid provider network in Illinois. Eligible applicants include organizations with experience in health-related social needs (HRSN), community health worker services, maternal health services, and reentry services. The selected organization will serve as the Social Health Care Network, building provider infrastructure, offering training and technical assistance, and distributing capacity-building funds across Illinois. Organizations should be positioned to partner with subrecipients to ensure statewide reach.
This grant is for established nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations (CBOs) seeking to build a statewide Medicaid provider network in Illinois. Eligible applicants include organizations with experience in health-related social needs (HRSN), community health worker services, maternal health services, and reentry services. The selected organization will serve as the Social Health Care Network, building provider infrastructure, offering training and technical assistance, and distributing capacity-building funds across Illinois. Organizations should be positioned to partner with subrecipients to ensure statewide reach.
Program description
HFS is implementing new provider types that will be delivered by non-profit community-based organizations (CBOs) that have limited infrastructure and capacity to contract and become Medicaid providers. These provider types include but are not limited to CBOs that provide health related social needs (HRSN) services under the 1115 waiver, community health worker (CHW) services, new maternal health services (e.g., doulas, lactation consultants), and reentry service organizations. To help prepare and develop the infrastructure needed to support these organizations in becoming Medicaid providers, HFS will fund a state-wide network system entity to build the network of providers that will deliver these services and provide training, technical assistance and capacity building funding. HFS will select one statewide organization through a competitive NOFO process to serve as the Social Health Care Network. HFS strongly encourages the use of subrecipients to ensure adequate reach across the state of Illinois. Administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 478-00-3997).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for established nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations (CBOs) seeking to build a statewide Medicaid provider network in Illinois. Eligible applicants include organizations with experience in health-related social needs (HRSN), community health worker services, maternal health services, and reentry services. The selected organization will serve as the Social Health Care Network, building provider infrastructure, offering training and technical assistance, and distributing capacity-building funds across Illinois. Organizations should be positioned to partner with subrecipients to ensure statewide reach.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Illinois GATA application form
- Organizational capacity narrative
- Network development and subrecipient strategy
- Budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support or partnerships
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status or nonprofit designation
Program contact
- 👤 Thea Kachoris-Flores
- 📧 Thea.Kachoris-Flores@illinois.gov
- 📞 312-898-4765
FAQ
Who can apply for the HFS Social Health Care Network Program?
Nonprofit organizations and CBOs experienced in health-related social needs, community health worker services, maternal health, or reentry services can apply. Strong applicants will demonstrate capacity to serve as a statewide network entity.
What is the funding amount?
The award range is $5,000,000 to $8,000,000 for a selected statewide network entity. No cost sharing is required.
What will the network entity do?
The entity will build a provider network, deliver training and technical assistance, provide capacity-building funding, and support CBOs in becoming Medicaid providers.
Is cost sharing required?
No, there is no cost-sharing requirement for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is July 20, 2026. Confirm exact deadline and submission details with the Illinois GATA system.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's experience managing large networks and providing technical assistance to CBOs statewide.
- Clearly explain how you will use subrecipients to achieve geographic coverage across Illinois.
- Show understanding of Medicaid provider enrollment requirements and infrastructure barriers for small CBOs.
- Detail your capacity to deliver training, TA, and funding distribution to multiple provider types simultaneously.
- Demonstrate relationships with health-related social needs, CHW, maternal health, and reentry service providers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without experience managing statewide networks or providing technical assistance to CBOs. Failing to describe concrete plans for using subrecipients to reach all regions of Illinois. Underestimating the operational and compliance infrastructure needed to support Medicaid provider enrollment for multiple organization types.
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