ICDD Funding Announcements-August 2026

ICDD Funding Announcements-August 2026

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is proud to announce three new investments designed to strengthen self-advocacy, increase access to participation, and expand community-based housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families.

The investments include the following:

1. 2027 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit
2. Consumer Stipend Project
3. Supportive Housing Pipeline Project

These projects support priorities in ICDD's 5-year State Plan and will expand opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to live, work, lead, and participate fully in their communities.

Brief details about each investment are below.

Investment #1: 2027 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit

The Arc of Illinois will host the 2027 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit (SUSO) as a hybrid event, giving participants the choice to attend in person or virtually.

SUSO is the only event of its kind in Illinois. It is led by people with DD, for people with DD. The Summit gives participants leadership training and real opportunities to speak up and speak out directly to legislators, policymakers and decision makers.

The Arc of Illinois has more than 20 years of experience planning and hosting Speak Up and Speak Out! Summits. From year to year, SUSO builds on the successes and the lessons learned from previous years. Each year, SUSO organizers commit to innovative programming and to ensuring that new voices will have an opportunity to participate. ICDD and The Arc of Illinois will work together to continue to reach out to historically underserved areas and underrepresented communities in Illinois.

Planning is in full swing for the 2026 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit. This year's summit is hybrid and will meet in-person in Normal, Illinois from August 31, 2026, through September 2, 2026. For more information, please visit the Speak Up and Speak Out! Website: SUSO Website.

Investment #2: Consumer Stipend Program

Through the Consumer Stipend Program, individuals with DD, family members, guardians, and support workers of people with DD will receive financial assistance to attend trainings and events related to the developmental disability community.

People who apply to receive assistance may do so for events that are hosted in Illinois and in states around the country. By reducing financial barriers to educational, advocacy, and leadership opportunities, the Consumer Stipend Program provides participants with critical experiences, resources, and information to participate in decisions that affect their lives, and to advocate for the community.

The Consumer Stipend Program will be led by The Arc of Illinois. Like the organization's experience with SUSO, The Arc of Illinois has a long and successful history of running the Consumer Stipend Program. The one-year project will serve at least 150 people. Targeted efforts will be made to connect the program to people in Western, Central, and Southern Illinois, and to individuals who are historically under-represented.

This project will begin in the fall of 2026 and will run through September 30, 2027.

Investment #3: CSH Supportive Housing 2.0 Project

People with DD and their families have demonstrated a significant demand for supportive housing. However, many DD providers do not have the capacity to develop and operate these housing models. The Supportive Housing 2.0 Project provides the training and technical assistance needed to expand supportive housing opportunities across Illinois.

ICDD has collaborated with CSH since 2023 to provide DD Service Providers with housing development training. Three years later, there is strong interest among DD Service Providers to develop supportive housing. Many providers need introductory training before making a commitment to Supportive Housing. The Supportive Housing Pipeline 2.0 will offer trainings, tours, webinars, and technical assistance. CSH will also connect with DD Providers who already have supportive housing. These providers will be given additional training and ongoing technical assistance.

CSH is nationally recognized for its expertise in supportive housing, financing, development, and implementation. CSH also has a proven track record of partnering with state agencies, developers, and service providers.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to ICDD Council Members for approving these three investments and helping move the 5-year State Plan from planning into action.

Congratulations as well to The Arc of Illinois and the Corporation for Supportive Housing, CSH. ICDD looks forward to partnering on these projects and expanding opportunities for people with DD and their families across Illinois.

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.