Section 530.5  Applicable Standards

a)         The Department of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS) Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRP) offering job placement, supported employment, and customized employment to customers shall be accredited by a national accrediting organization or shall obtain interim approval from DHS-DRS according to the criteria set forth in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 530, Subpart B.

b)         DHS-DRS recognizes the following as national accrediting organizations (89 Ill. Adm. 509.110 (Accreditation) does not apply to this Section):

1)         Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities;

2)         National Accreditation Council;

3)         The Council on Quality and Leadership;

4)         The Joint Commission; 

5)         The Council on Accreditation; or

6)         Another nationally recognized accrediting organization approved by the Director of DHS-DRS or the Director's designee.  Approval can be requested in writing to DHS.CommunityResources@illinois.gov or be mailed to:  IDHS-DRS Transition and Community Rehabilitation Services Unit, 100 S. Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL  62762.

c)         CRPs earning less than $100,000 in employment services funding from DHS-DRS each year are not required to obtain national accreditation but must undergo onsite reviews pursuant to Sections 530.5(e) and (g) to maintain interim DHS-DRS approval. 

d)         The Director of DHS-DRS or their designee may grant interim certification to a CRP for no more than three years if the CRP:

1)         Meets the requirements in Appendix A;

2)         Does not hold a national accreditation; and

3)         Earns $100,000 or more in employment related services from DHS-DRS each year. 

e)         Prior to interim certification or initial contract execution, the CRP applicant organization must participate in a review using Section 530 Appendix A:  Standards Survey with DHS-DRS staff.

f)         After the end of the three-year interim certification period, the CRP provider under subsection (e) must achieve national accreditation status.  The provider cannot enter into a contractual agreement with DHS-DRS until national accreditation is obtained.

g)         DHS-DRS will evaluate all CRPs with onsite reviews specific to contract obligations every three years.  If an agency is not in compliance with requirements set forth in this Part, the interim certification and/or contract will not be renewed.

h)         All CRPs must comply with all requirements set forth in:

1)         44 Ill. Adm. Code 7040 by the DHS Office of Contract Administration;

2)         89 Ill. Adm. Code 525.10 (Non-Discrimination Compliance Requirements);

3)         89 Ill. Adm. Code 509.30 (Fiscal Requirements/Management);

4)         89 Ill. Adm. Code 509.70 (On-Site Fiscal/Administrative Reviews);

5)         89 Ill. Adm. Code 509.80 (Administrative Requirements);

6)         89 Ill. Adm. Code 509.90 (Compliance with Life Safety Standards and Requirements); and

7)         Appendix A, if they have been incorporated into the CRP's contract.

i)          If the CRP meets the criteria in subsection (b), application to become a DHS-DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Provider as a CRP should be made to:

Illinois Department of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services

Transition and Community Rehabilitation Services Unit

100 South Grand Avenue East

Springfield, IL  62762

DHS.CommunityResources@illinois.gov

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 3129, effective February 16, 2024)