The Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity Program aims to provide comprehensive, lifesaving, and medically necessary gender affirming care to transgender, gender diverse, and LGBTQ+ people throughout the state of Illinois.
This new statewide 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. PHIMC serves as lead grantee for this program, which is funded by Illinois Department of Human Services.
On February 1, 2024, a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released for providers of gender-affirming care. Applications are now closed. Learn more here.
See answers to NOFO questions, as of 2/29/2024
See Press Release of 1/26/2024
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The Need
Even though gender affirming care is life-saving, access to it is not equitable and can be difficult to seek out.
According to a 2022 survey from the Center for American Progress, over 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ adults shared that they avoided care due to disrespect or discrimination from providers, rising to 1 in 3 for Transgender or nonbinary respondents.
There is a need to expand the capacity of organizations already providing gender affirming care and expand the overall availability of culturally and medically competent gender-affirming care throughout the state of Illinois. The TGD/LGBTQ+ community deserves respect, dignity, and equal access to care that affirms their identities.
Next Steps
The NOFO process is currently in the finalization steps, and it is anticipated that sending letters of award will occur soon. Check back in late April for a progress update.
