West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council

NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE

Call for Investments FY 2010

(October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010)

Pre-Application Technical Assistance Meeting:  May 20, 2009

Deadline for Receipt of Letters of Intent:  May 27, 2009

Application Submission by:  June 30, 2009

            The Council is pleased to announce that it will make available up to $350,000  (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. The Council is seeking to develop the following projects:

• Training to Prevent Abuse and Neglect;
• Unmet Needs Study of Un-Served Persons with Developmental Disabilities;
• Training/Consultation with Business Community;
• Modified Career and Technical Education Program;
• Peer Training for Teachers:
• Transition Planning for Parents;
• Inclusive Recreation/Leisure program;
• Advocacy/Consultation to Reduce Barriers to Recreation;
• Emergency Responder Training

Non-Solicited Project Ideas

            The Council may also fund projects that are not specifically described in this Notice, but support the Council’s overall mission and Five Year State Plan goals.  The State Plan can be reviewed on the Council webpage at www.wvddc.org. 

Council’s Mission and State Plan Priorities

            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’s mission is to assure that West Virginia citizens who have developmental disabilities receive the services, supports and opportunities they need to achieve self-determination, independence, integration, and inclusion into the community of their choice.

            The State Plan is based on information obtained from people with developmental disabilities and their families, providers, advocates, government agency representatives, and interested citizens about the most pressing needs of persons with developmental disabilities in West Virginia.

Plan Priorities and Areas of Emphasis

·                     Quality Assurance:  Projects and activities that work to improve self-advocacy and leadership development; protection against abuse and neglect; and supports for un-served and underserved persons with developmental disabilities.  Quality Assurance activities also promote person-centered approaches and systems coordination.

·                     Employment:  Projects and activities that increase opportunities for students with developmental disabilities to acquire skills and access to valued community employment after high school; adults to gain access to community career and technical education programs; community businesses to become knowledgeable of the contributions by workers with developmental disabilities; and other initiatives that lead to increases in valued employment.

·                     Education:  Projects and initiatives that lead to information and support for parents about special education policies and student’s rights;  training on inclusive education practices for school personnel; and improved transition supports for students exiting the school system.

·                     Recreation and Relationships:   Projects and activities that provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to develop positive social relationships with non-disabled peers; improve access to typical community recreation and leisure; and strengthen community advocacy about inclusive recreation.

·                     Formal/Informal Community Supports:  Projects and activities that work to improve the developmental disabilities workforce; support families; and educate the public about developmental disabilities issues.  Formal/informal community supports may also include training and information related to accessibility, assistive technology, and other supports that work to improve opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to be included and integrated into their communities.

Funding Targets and Priorities for FY 2010

I.                  Quality Assurance

1.                  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 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.

2.                  Unmet Needs/Service Gap Analysis related to Un-Served and Underserved Persons with DD

            Study, led by a representative group, which 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 study will include a comprehensive review and analysis of West Virginia’s current service system, and describe gaps between service capacity and service demand. The study and report will include specific policy recommendations that can lead to greater assurances that essential supports and services are available to all West Virginians with developmental disabilities. 

II.               Employment

1.                  Educating the Business Community

            Training and consultation for businesses to reduce barriers and include people with developmental disabilities into the workforce.  Training issues will include legal rights, employer benefits, and relevant Federal laws.  Training should include information about contemporary community based employment practices including Customized Employment.

2.                  Modified Career and Technical Education Program

            Apprentice level certificate, or other competency based credential that is accessible to people with developmental disabilities at community career and technical education programs.  Project should include the development of a hands-on approach and learning track that prepares students to work in the field of their choice.  The project should also include collaboration between the West Virginia Department of Education, Career and Technical Education programs, Division of Rehabilitation Services, nationally recognized programs, and as needed, industry specific credentialing bodies, or boards.

3.          Work Incentive Training for People with Developmental

                               Disabilities and Families

            Workshops, presentations, and/or educational materials, targeted for people with developmental disabilities and their families on work incentives including Ticket to Work, PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support) Plans, M-WIN (Medicaid-Work Incentive Network) and other work related services/supports. Presentations may also include information about regional advocacy and support organizations, vocational training, and other services necessary to improve employment opportunities.

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, middle to high school, and high school to adult living.  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 and Relationships

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, and lasting friendships 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 identify and reduce barriers to active participation by people with developmental disabilities in community recreation and leisure activities.  Activities may include the development of recreation access 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.

V.               Formal/Informal Community Supports

1.                     Emergency Responder Training

            Training program, course or curriculum targeted to emergency response professionals that provides instruction for carrying out safe, responsible and effective support for people with developmental disabilities in emergency medical, fire, behavioral, and/or criminal offense situations.  The program should be developed in cooperation with State and local emergency planners and responders, people with developmental disabilities, families, and advocates.  Training should take in to consideration cognitive, communication, mobility, health, behavioral, and legal support needs of persons with developmental disabilities.

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, (including non-federal match requirements), and administrative rules information is available upon request.

CALL FOR INVESTMENT PROPOSAL AND REVIEW PROCESS

1.  Pre-Application Technical Assistance Meeting:  Potential applicants may attend a technical assistance meeting with Council staff on May 20, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Summit Conference Center, 129 Summers Street, Charleston, WV.  The meeting is intended to provide applicant organizations additional 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.  A limited number of teleconference lines will be available. To reserve a line, email your request to Diana.O.Ranson@wv.gov or mail your request to the Council Office.

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 business May 27, 2009. 

3. Formal Project Proposal and Application:   The formal application for funding must be an original copy (no faxes), and postmarked no later than June 30, 2009.  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 must 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, 2009.  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