Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities

12/16/2025

"I am very excited about the opportunity to join this great board! I do not take the confidence that has been bestowed upon me for granted. I look forward to working collaboratively with the wealth of experience and productivity that already exists on our board,” said Randall Richardson, FAYCO Enterprises Executive Director. “ I look forward to sharing my 20+ years in IDD, mental health, education, social services and more towards a greater future. I thank everyone again for this opportunity. I consider this a great honor and cannot wait to get to work!"

Congratulations Randall and welcome to the 2026 Board of Directors - FAYCO Enterprises, Inc.

12/15/2025

“At the heart of our work is the belief that strong communities are built when people have consistent access to support, dignity, and opportunity. Our role is to remove barriers so individuals and families can thrive,” said Staci Danner, Bridgeway CEO. “When we work together, we can achieve these goals.”

Congratulations Bridgeway CEO Staci Danner on being elected to the 2026 IARF Board of Directors!

12/15/2025

As part of our 50th Anniversary at IARF, DSC provided these incredible hand-made ornaments that we gifted to IARF Executive Directors & CEOs! Thank you DSC for the wonderful work and for helping us recognize this banner year!

12/12/2025

“There’s really nowhere else in the state that’s providing this level of care. That’s why we built it,” said Dr. Aron Janssen, a Lurie psychiatrist and the vice chair of clinical affairs. “We want to build the type of treatment and the type of environment, and then it is in our mission to disseminate what we’ve learned across the state. We will train whoever wants to be trained.”

The four new beds and 20 new staffers are designed for kids with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The $4.5 million addition is a first for the state but can't fill the major dearth in youth psychiatric beds across Illinois.

12/10/2025

Congratulations to Horizon House of Illinois Valley CEO Michelle Rich on being elected to the 2026 IARF Board of Directors!

“For several years Michelle has graciously shared her wisdom with participants in our IARFuture Leadership Initiative,” said Josh Evans, IARF President & CEO. “Our team is looking forward to Michelle bringing her experience as leader of Horizon House to the Board for the coming year.”

12/09/2025

We are pleased to publish the 2026 IARF Strategic Framework. This member driven and Board approved plan highlights our priorities for the coming calendar year.

In 2026 IARF will focus on training & education for professional and para-professional staff, advocacy in support of the Guidehouse rate study & expansion of crisis services, ensuring our regulatory oversight evolves to allow changing service expectations of individuals and family, and ensuring federal changes to Medicaid are broadly understood in the provider community....and more!

12/09/2025

“This is an affordability bill,” said bill sponsor State Representative Lindsey LaPointe D-Chicago. “It’s not affordable when you pay your monthly premium and then you have to pay $250 out of pocket for your monthly therapy.”

Many therapists have stopped taking insurance because of what they describe as low payment rates and administrative hoops that make it difficult to treat patients.

12/04/2025

Congratulations to the 2025 Class of the IARFuture Leadership Initiative!

12/02/2025

Congratulations CTF Illinois on this recognition!

12/01/2025

It is Member Appreciation Week at IARF! Thanks to all members, leadership, and incredible staff that serve and support Illinoisans with disabilities and mental illnesses throughout the year!

12/01/2025

“We are not numbers, we are human beings, and our dedication is more than enough proof that we deserve a living wage.”

A Direct Support Professional in Philadelphia argues that essential workers who provide life-changing care deserve living wages, not poverty-level pay that forces them into multiple jobs.

11/19/2025

We're pleased to share the 2025 IARF Annual Report - only the major highlights here folks!

From increases to DSP wage rates and banning prior authorization in outpatient mental health services, to establishing our IARF Community Platform and continuing targeted training to key member staff, we are proud of our efforts to advance the strategic priorities of our Board of Directors.

All things take a village, so we thank our partners in advocacy such as The Arc of Illinois, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association, Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, the Center for Developmental Disabilities Advocacy and Community Supports, They Deserve More, National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals - NADSP as well as leadership at Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

Thanks to the growing number of champions in the Illinois General Assembly as well.