FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2024
CONTACT:
RoiAnn Phillips, Communications Director
roiann.phillips@phimc.org or 708.466.2650
New Grant Opportunity for Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity in Illinois
IDHS and PHIMC invite providers, advocates, and people with lived experience to participate in a new statewide initiative
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Public Health Institute of Chicago (PHIMC) are announcing an upcoming new funding opportunity for organizations in the state providing gender-affirming care. This care is lifesaving, but access to it is not equitable and can be difficult to find.
The Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity Program will address this by awarding approximately $1.5 million to communities statewide to expand comprehensive and medically-necessary care for transgender, gender diverse, and LGBTQ+ people throughout Illinois.
This opportunity is also available to expand the capacity of organizations already providing gender-affirming care and will expand the overall availability of culturally and medically competent gender-affirming care in Illinois. IDHS encourages providers throughout Illinois to participate by responding to the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
According to a 2022 survey from the Center for American Progress, more than one in five LGBTQ+ adults say they avoided care due to disrespect or discrimination from providers, rising to one in three for transgender and nonbinary respondents.
Additionally, this new program will include training for healthcare professionals, a learning collaborative for providers to discuss challenges and successes, and a resource hub containing information about policies and procedures, tips for ensuring care which affirms each individual’s identity, and guidance on addressing discrimination, stigma, and harassment.
Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) was selected as the lead grantee for this initiative because of its longstanding history addressing stigma and bias in healthcare settings.
“Transgender, gender-diverse, and LGBTQ+ people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and to receive care that affirms their identities,” said Karen A. Reitan, PHIMC President and CEO. “This IDHS grant aims to strengthen and expand culturally and medically competent gender-affirming care throughout Illinois. We are excited to collaborate with providers and advocates who are committed to our communities’ health and well-being to bring this new statewide program to life.”
“Everyone deserves to have culturally and medically competent gender-affirming care, free of harassment, discrimination and stigma,” said Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary Designate. “This new grant opportunity will help more people in our communities across Illinois access the care they need in safe and welcoming environments.”
In early February, providers, advocates, and people with lived experience of gender-affirming care are invited to visit the following link and respond to the Notice of Funding Opportunity, apply to become a reviewer, and/or share these opportunities far and wide: phimc.org/initiatives/tgd-wellness-and-equity-program.
Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) advances health justice and strengthens public health through innovation and partnerships that align people, strategies, and resources. For thirty years, PHIMC has worked to build a strong, culturally-competent, and diverse public health workforce. This includes collaborating with providers, agencies, organizations, and individuals across Illinois to address bias and stigma that harm public health and to promote practices that improve client experiences and support comprehensive care.
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is one of Illinois’ largest agencies, with more than 13,000 employees. Illinois created IDHS in 1997, to provide our state’s residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are seeking economic and housing independence in a healthy and safe environment. The mission of IDHS is to provide equitable access to social/human services, supports, programs and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve.
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