Sec. 25. Outdoor Rx Program Fund.

481 words·~2 min read·/il/chapter-405/act-155/25

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)The Outdoor Rx Program Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Moneys deposited into the Fund shall be used solely for the administration of the Outdoor Rx Program. The Department may accept gifts, grants, donations, or moneys from any source for deposit into the Fund. Any public agency in this State may use moneys in the Fund, subject to approval by the Director under subsection

(c)of Section 35, to develop and implement natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs. The Department may award grants to public agencies and contract with any public or private agency or person to develop and implement natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs under the Outdoor Rx Program.

(b)The Department shall establish limitations on the availability and use of Outdoor Rx Program moneys. However, any limitations shall be defined in the application package, and the Department shall establish the limitations only after considering the following:

(1)consistency with the purpose of the Outdoor Rx Program, as stated in subsection

of Section 15; and

(2)availability of moneys.

(c)The Department may require applicants to make a matching contribution to be eligible for a grant under the Act.

(d)The Department may limit the amount of funding available for any element of natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs.

(e)The following conditions are placed on the use of moneys from the Fund:

(1)For every funded program, a contract shall be executed on behalf of the Department

and by the grant recipient. The grant recipient shall not be reimbursed for costs incurred prior to the execution of the contract by both parties.

(2)The grant recipient shall ensure that all natural resource-based or outdoor-based

therapy programs are in accordance with any technical standards established by the Department.

(3)The grant recipient shall submit any reports required by the Department as directed

in the funding contract.

(4)The grant recipient shall agree to and certify compliance with all applicable

federal and State laws, rules, regulations, and policies.

(5)The grant recipient shall maintain accurate accounting records on the expenditure of

program moneys, provide the Department with such records consistent with the agreement or upon request, whichever is applicable, and permit the Department to audit the use of moneys in accordance with generally accepted audit practices and standards. The Department shall reserve the right to terminate its participation in any program that fails to perform according to the requirements of this Act.

(f)The Department may assess fees to grant recipients or Outdoor Rx Program participants for Outdoor Rx Program services.

(g)Moneys in the Fund shall be expended only for natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs approved by the Director. To the extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that all moneys received during a fiscal year are expended prior to the end of that fiscal year.