NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE

Call for Investments FY 2009

(October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2009)

Pre-Application Technical Assistance Meeting:  May 15, 2008

Deadline for Letters of Intent:  May 22, 2008

Application Submission by:  June 23, 2008

             The West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council is a federally funded State agency that was established on March 6, 1972 by Executive Order of the Governor. The Council is an independent, self-governing organization that operates in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act/P.L. 106-402).  The Council is supported administratively by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and is funded by the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities.   

            The Council is pleased to announce that it will make available up to $325,000 (in total) to fund new grant projects aimed at improving opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to gain full participation and inclusion in their communities. This notice provides guidance in the development of project ideas and activities for FY 2009 based on priorities in the Council’s Five Year State Plan.  The Council will fund new, innovative demonstration, research, and training projects related to the following major areas of emphasis:

 ·                    Quality Assurance:  Projects and activities that work to improve the developmental disabilities workforce; to support families; and to improve the quality of public programs and services.  Quality Assurance activities also promote person-centered approaches, systems coordination, self-advocacy and leadership development; protection against abuse and neglect; and supports for un-served and underserved persons with developmental disabilities.

·                    Employment:  Projects and activities that increase opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to acquire skills and access to valued community employment with competitive wages and benefits;  training and education on work incentives and entitlements; and collaboration with the business community.

 ·                    Education:  Projects and initiatives that lead to greater inclusion into regular education classes for students with developmental disabilities; support and education for parents about school policies; training on inclusive education practices for school personnel; and improved transition supports for students exiting the school system.

Areas of Emphasis: 

·                Recreation:   Projects and activities that provide greater opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to develop positive social relationships through          inclusive recreation, leisure and social activities. Council recreation focused projects work to improve access to typical community recreation and leisure programs, and strengthen community advocacy about inclusive recreation.

 Funding Targets and Priorities for FY 2009

I.                  Quality Assurance

              1.                  DD Self-Advocacy and Leadership Development Program

           A statewide self-advocacy organization, led by persons with developmental disabilities, that will promote leadership opportunities through citizen participation.  Plans and activities would lead to increased numbers of people with developmental disabilities who develop self-advocacy skills such as speaking for one’s self and educating the public about the capabilities of people with developmental disabilities to lead self-determined lives.  Plans and activities will also include working to increase leadership roles of people with developmental disabilities on policy boards and planning committees on local and state levels.

 2.                  Training to Prevent Abuse and Neglect

                              Educational curriculum and program, approved by self-advocates regulatory, advocacy, and provider  groups, that focuses on prevention of abuse, neglect, financial and sexual exploitation of persons with developmental disabilities.  Training should also include the issue of inappropriate use of restraints, seclusion, and psychotropic medications as techniques for managing behavior. Training and programs may include the creation of videos, workshops, reference manuals, and/or self-paced web courses.  Training content should include clarification of applicable laws and terminology, identification of mandatory reporters, reporting and investigative requirements, documentation and data collection. 

3.                  Study/Report on Needs of Un-Served and Underserved Persons with DD

             Study, led by a representative group, that identifies the health, safety, and community support needs of persons with developmental disabilities who do not qualify for, or are not receiving adequate community based services.  The report should include public policy recommendations that describe the minimum safeguards needed to support people with developmental disabilities in their communities.

4.                  Fire Fighter Training 

             Training program for fire fighters with a focus on carrying out safe, responsible and effective support for people with developmental disabilities who are in fire emergencies.  The program would be developed in collaboration with State and local emergency planners and responders, Fire Marshal’s office, people with developmental disabilities, families, and advocates.  Training must be accessible to firefighters, and provide applicable continuing education credits.

 II.               Employment

 1.                  Educating the Business Community

         Training program for businesses with the focus to reduce barriers, and include people with developmental disabilities into the workforce.  Development and promotion of education and training programs for business leaders on developmental disability issues including legal rights, employer benefits in hiring people with developmental disabilities, and relevant Federal laws (e.g.; ADA and tax credits). Training should include information about contemporary community based employment practices including Customized Employment.

 2.                  Self-Employment: Consultation, Training and Technical Assistance for Agencies

             A training and technical assistance program that leads to start up for new businesses for people with developmental disabilities.  Training should include the inclusion of person-centered planning methods to support individual’s interests and support needs related to career planning.  The training should include legal, financial, and business planning components.  Training will include information about assistance available from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, State and local business development resources, and other community based programs and services.

 3.                  Modified Career and Technical Education Program

             A demonstration project that improves access to vocational certification programs by students with developmental disabilities.  This would include the development of a training/learning track that prepares students to work in the field of their choice.  The program would include more focus on hands - on work training, and less on academic requirements that are required for current professional credentialing.  The helper, or apprentice program would result in a career field certificate that is based on an approved and tested set of skills that are a prerequisite for employment.

 III.           Education

 1.                  Peer Training for Teachers

            Statewide training project, led by recognized personnel of exemplary inclusive education programs, which provides special and regular educators with strategies for developing inclusive school programs.  Training curricula and programs should be created that includes kindergarten, elementary, middle, and/or high school programs.  Applicants for this project must present evidence that they have developed and/or participated in innovative school programs that achieved meaningful participation by students with developmental disabilities in regular education.

 2.                  Transition Planning Training for Parents

            Training curriculum, workshops, web-based learning, and/or other methods that focus on the information and support needs of parents of children with developmental disabilities who are nearing transition points in educational programs. Transition junctures include BTT to preschool, preschool to kindergarten and elementary school, elementary to middle school, and/or middle to high school.  Training programs should include easily understood information about applicable policy mandates, student and parent rights, advocacy, roles of key stakeholders, and developing positive parent-professional partnerships.

 IV.            Recreation

 1.                  Building Relationships Through Recreation

             A new or modified community recreation and/or leisure program designed to enhance opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to participate meaningfully with non-disabled peers.  The principle aim is to develop and strengthen ongoing personal connections by bringing together people who have similar interests in hobbies, sports, outdoor recreation, clubs, the arts, or other activities.  The project may address attitudinal, physical, financial, or systems barriers faced by people with developmental disabilities in accessing community recreation.

2.                  Advocacy and Local Participation

             Project designed to increase the inclusion and active participation of people with developmental disabilities in community recreation and leisure opportunities. Activities may include the development of recreation access studies, resource guides, and/or other efforts to increase awareness and improve accessibility to recreation activities. Consultation should be made with key organizations such as the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, State Parks and Forests, Tourism, local chambers of commerce, city councils, churches, volunteer organizations, schools, cultural centers and programs, fitness and health programs, interest clubs, and sports leagues.

 Non-Solicited Project Ideas

            Organizations may also submit project ideas (and formal proposals) that are not specifically described in this Notice, but support the Council’s overall mission and State Plan goals.  The State Plan can be reviewed on the Council webpage at www.wvddc.org. 

 Eligible Organizations

            Public and private (non-profit and for profit) agencies, universities and research organizations are eligible to apply.  Organizations that receive grant awards from the Council must meet all conditions set forth in the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Grant Agreement and comply with all applicable policies of the WV DD Council.   Specific legal, fiscal, and administrative rules information is available upon request.

 CALL FOR INVESTMENT PROPOSAL AND REVIEW PROCESS

1.  Pre-Application Technical Assistance Meeting:  Representatives of interested organizations may attend a technical assistance meeting with Council staff on May 15, 2008 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Council office.  The purpose of the meeting will be to provide applicant organizations detailed information and instructions regarding proposal development.  Notes from the meeting will be posted on the WV DD Council webpage.  Attendance at the pre-application meeting is optional.

2. Letter of Intent:  The submission of the Letter of Intent is optional, and the lack of one will not reflect negatively on the evaluation of a complete proposal.  The Letter of Intent provides the applicant organization an opportunity to receive preliminary, written feedback on the proposed project.  Any interested and eligible organization may submit its ideas and proposed strategies to address one or more funding targets listed in this Notice. The Letter of Intent  (instructions attached) will include information about the organization’s history in supporting people with developmental disabilities, and qualifications to carry out the proposed project.  To receive feedback, the Letter of Intent must be received no later than the end of the business day May 22, 2008. 

3. Formal Project Proposal and Application:   The formal application for funding must be an original copy (no faxes), and postmarked no later than June 23, 2008.  The proposal must include the project budget for one year, goals and objectives, methodology, time-table for activities, evaluation plans and organizational capacity to carry out the proposed project. 

                   Successful proposals will have the potential for statewide applicability and          include plans for sustainability of the project beyond the initial investment period        (if appropriate).  Grant awards are based on the availability of funds and response     to the overall State Plan goals of the Council. 

4. Awards and Notification:  The WV DD Council intends to approve funding for selected grant projects on July 22, 2008.  All applicant organizations will be notified in writing within five working days after the decisions are made.

           Interested parties may obtain copies of the Grant Application and Grant Assurances by contacting Council staff at (304) 558-0416 or by downloading them from the website at: www.wvddc.org.   Mail Letters of Intent and Applications to:

WV Developmental Disabilities Council

110 Stockton Street

Charleston, West Virginia  25312-2521