The Attendance Grant Programs is a unique benefit provided by the Village of Progress.

Community Day Service agencies (CDSs), like the Village of Progress, are located throughout the state. They provide a combination of social and work-related activities for adults with developmental disabilities. All CDSs, including the Village of Progress, receive a fee from the State for each hour of service provided to an individual.

Unfortunately, because the State does not have the money to award funding to all those who qualify, many applicants are placed on a state-wide waiting list. It can take up to 10 years before someone’s name is pulled from that list. Until then, the State will not pay for them to receive services.

Without state funding, most individuals with developmental disabilities cannot afford the cost of attending a CDS, which can be upwards of $2,000 a month.

In 2014, the Village of Progress Foundation created the Attendance Grant Program for just such occasions. The Attendance Grant Program lets individuals who are on the State’s waiting list attend the Village on a part-time basis – free of charge. Essentially, the Foundation steps in and pays the state hourly attendance rate on the individual’s behalf until they’re pulled from the waiting list.

In this way, Attendance Grant recipients will remain socially active and connected to a supportive community.

Every year, the Attendance Grant Committee meets to determine who might be eligible for Attendance Grants and at what level. Awards are based on several factors such as the number of recipients, staffing levels, and transportation requirements.

Attendance Grant Awards are re-evaluated by the committee annually. Recipients of Attendance Grants must agree to follow 5 requirements

• They must be attempting to qualify for Medicaid/DHS funding for services;
• They must be actively listed on Illinois’ DHS PUNS list (i.e., the waiting list);
• They must maintain at least an 85% attendance rate for the days they are scheduled to attend;
• They must continue to reside in Ogle County;
• If under 25, they must present a closure letter from the Illinois Division of Rehabilitative Services.

If you’d like to learn more about the Village of Progress’ Attendance Grant Program,
please contact:

Angie Martin-Bakener
amartin@villageofprogress.org or 815-732-2126