Healthcare Telementoring Expansion Grant

The Healthcare Telementoring Expansion Grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) through its Office of Health Promotion. The program was established under Public Act 103-0588 and authorized further by Illinois Administrative Rules (A30 ILCS 708, TITLE 44: CHAPTER I: Section 7000). This initiative is a continuation of a phased funding approach to implement and expand technology-enabled telementoring services across underserved urban and rural areas of Illinois. The State of Illinois has designated this program to support improved patient health outcomes by leveraging remote learning and mentoring technologies among health professionals. In the initial planning phase (Phase I), a competitive process determined that the University of Chicago was the most qualified applicant based on its detailed plan and budget for a scalable telementoring model. The current Phase II, funded through this grant, is intended to execute that plan and is therefore structured as a non-competitive award. The University of Chicago is the sole eligible recipient for this round, having met the criteria established under the initial phase. The total available funding for FY2026 is $4,000,000, with an initial award amount of $2,886,184 for the July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, performance period. Telementoring, as defined by Illinois legislation, involves using interactive video or phone technology to connect healthcare professionals in underserved areas with specialists through regular collaborative sessions. The goal is to enhance skills through mentorship and case-based learning. The program specifically focuses on enabling local providers to develop the capacity to deliver higher-quality care by participating in real-time consultations and structured knowledge-sharing with specialists. This model aims to reduce disparities in care by improving access to expert knowledge without requiring patient relocation. Eligible entities for this grant are narrowly defined; only the University of Chicago meets the non-competitive continuation criteria. Funds must be used solely within the performance window of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and the program may be renewed for one additional year subject to fund availability and satisfactory performance. Funds are distributed based on the scope of service delivered, which includes the number of health providers served and the hours of technical support provided, alongside other factors deemed appropriate by the IDPH Director. Applications must be submitted through the Illinois Department of Public Health’s EGrAMS grant portal. The application process does not include a competitive proposal review due to the program’s continuation status, but applicants are expected to submit detailed workplans and budgets for approval. All awarded activities are subject to audit and must comply with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and associated federal and state audit requirements. Grantees must maintain all program records and financial documentation for three years following the final report submission. Regular monthly reporting is required to track program performance and progress against planned objectives. Any appeals regarding the award are limited to procedural evaluation issues and must be submitted through the official IDPH appeals process within 14 calendar days of the award announcement. While this round is non-competitive, strict adherence to reporting, audit, and performance criteria is expected to ensure program integrity and impact. Program contacts include Andrew Lerch, reachable at [email protected] or (217) 725-6384 for questions related to implementation or compliance.