Notice of Funds Available (RFP) Print Apply for this Grant

Specifications

Introduction

The project number for this Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) solicitation is #22.GR.3.1.8. This project is funded by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (“MDDC” or “Council”) to develop an innovative “gap-filling” project on supported decision-making (SDM) for Massachusetts residents with developmental disabilities, family members, and stakeholders.

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (“MDDC” or “Council”) has allocated $60,000 for this 1-year project. 

The Project will have two main components:

(1) Innovative Project on Supported Decision-Making in Massachusetts.

(2) Provide Technical Assistance to Council’s Peer-Run Training Program in Developing Supported Decision-Making training.

Programmatic work will ensure that this project addresses Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to meet the needs of underrepresented and underserved populations, inclusive of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community members, LGBTQIA+ community members, and culturally and linguistically diverse community members. Grant activities will include collecting and reporting demographic and performance measure data as required by the U.S. Administration on Community Living (ACL.) 

The MDDC conducts its projects and activities under three major goals, as detailed in its FFY 2022-26 Five-Year State Plan: 1) Advocacy and Leadership, 2) Policy Change, and 3) Community Inclusion, Choice, and Civic Engagement. 

This project addresses MDDC State Plan activities #3.1.1 and 3.1.8:   

Goal 3:  Community Inclusion, Choice and Civic Engagement

Objective 3.1:  Each year, the Council will support training and education opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and family members to enhance their ability to have choices and exert control over their own lives.

*Activity #3.1.1:  Implement strategy for intentional equity for and inclusion of underserved and underrepresented community members. 

*Activity:  #3.1.8:  Promote and provide training and technical assistance on Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and guardianship alternatives. 

The Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022-2026 MDDC State Plan Work Plan is included as Attachment #1 to this NOFA.

Refer to the “Project Requirements” section of this NOFA for additional information about this project. 

Eligibility

Massachusetts 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for this grant. Applicants must demonstrate extensive knowledge of supported decision-making, SDM agreements, guardianship alternatives, and similar issues that affect self-determination for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  Experience training, working with, and advocating on behalf of people with developmental disabilities is required. Experience and knowledge about working with people from diverse underserved and underrepresented communities is also required.  The MDDC encourages applications from organizations that are located in rural or urban poverty areas, employ staff with disabilities, and employ staff with lived experience in underserved and underrepresented communities. 

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is an independent agency funded by the federal government to work with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to better support people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council works to help people with developmental disabilities have opportunities to lead successful lives in their communities by supporting inclusive education, greater employment opportunities, and the right to make choices about where, with whom, and how they live.

The Council is comprised of 31 volunteer members appointed by the Governor and a small staff. Members include individuals with developmental disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, professionals, advocates, and representatives of state and private agencies.  Over 60% of Council members are people with developmental disabilities and family members.

Definition of a Developmental Disability

Developmental disability (DD) is defined in a federal law called the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. That law says that DD is a disability that starts before a person turns 22 years old.  It impacts how the person does daily life activities in at least three ways. A person with DD may need some support in their daily life.

Here is the language from the law:

(A) A developmental disability is a severe chronic disability of a person five years of age or older which (i.) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments; (ii.) is manifested before the person attains age twenty-two; (iii.) is likely to continue indefinitely; (iv.) results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: (I) self-care, (II) receptive and expressive language, (III) learning, (IV) mobility, (V) self-direction (VI) capacity for independent living; (VII) economic self-sufficiency; and (v.) reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated. (B) Infants and Young Children - An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described in clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.

Funding Parameters

The selected applicant will be awarded $60,000 to conduct project activities from July 10, 2023 – June 30, 2024.  The minimum non-federal matching funds required for this project is $6,000, an amount equal to 10% of the grant funds awarded. Applicants are encouraged to provide an additional match. The source of the match can include a direct financial contribution, non-federal revenue from other organizations, and in-kind contributions from the applicant or a third party such as staff time, travel, supplies, and meeting space.

MDDC grant funds cannot be used for ongoing organizational activities, to supplant existing private, state or federal funding sources, to purchase equipment or furnishings, or to duplicate or replace existing services provided to people with developmental disabilities and family members.

The MDDC may, at its sole discretion, offer the selected applicant the opportunity to apply for continuation funds when the grant ends.  Future funding will depend on satisfactory grantee performance, the MDDC's determination that additional activities are warranted, the availability of federal funds, and the Council’s overall priorities.

Application Timeline and Information

Grant applications will be submitted electronically through the DD Suite, MDDC’s grants management system,  at www.ddsuite.org 

The application will consist of (a) a one-paragraph goal statement and project summary; (b) a narrative project description that includes qualifications, project activities, Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI), and expected accomplishments; (c) Project Work Plan; and (d) Budget.   

Applicants must attach a copy of the Audit Opinion Letter from their latest financial audit to their application.  Nonprofit organizations that do not meet the minimum threshold for financial audits can submit a copy of their most recent Form 990 reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Applicants can upload resumes, financial audit or IRS forms, and other documents as attachments.  Applications will be submitted online through the DD Suite prior to the application deadline. No hard copies will be accepted. 

KEY DATES:

-NOFA release date: April 13, 2023
- Deadline to submit written questions: 12pm on Thursday, May 25, 2023 
- Deadline to submit applications: 11:59 pm on Tuesday, May 30, 2023
- Applicants notified of application status by: June 15, 2023
- Project begins: July 10, 2023 
- Project ends: June 30, 2024

All questions regarding this NOFA must be submitted in writing to Liz Fancher at liz.fancher@mass.gov by noon on May 25, 2023.   Applicants can receive a copy of the questions and answers after the deadline by sending an email request to Liz Fancher.

During the grant review period, the MDDC may ask applicants to revise and resubmit their applications prior to the official notice of grant award. The selected applicant may be required to attend a finalist meeting with the MDDC.

There will be no debriefing for applicants who do not receive funding under this NOFA. Organizations applying for MDDC grants will be notified of the outcome (awarded, application modifications requested, or denied) by email through DD Suite. 

DD Suite Instructions

The MDDC uses the DD Suite grants management system for grant applications, awards, and monitoring. 

First-time applicants are advised to create a DD Suite user account and an organization account at https://www.ddsuite.org as soon as possible. All applicants must have an organization account to complete and submit grant applications. 

To create user and organization accounts, click on the “Sign Up” link and enter the requested information in the designated fields.  After your account is approved, you can enter information into the grant application template.  Applicants are encouraged to write their grant applications in a separate document, paste the content into the narrative fields and click on the “Save” button.  For detailed instructions about entering information into the DD Suite, refer to Attachment #6, “Applying for a Notice of Funds Available (NoFA) -- DD Suite Instructions.” 

Application Evaluation

Applications submitted by the deadline will undergo a technical review. Applications meeting the Pre-Award Technical Review and Risk Assessment criteria (Attachment #2) will be evaluated based on pre-determined evaluation criteria that correspond to each category in the Outline section.   

Project Requirements

The MDDC will fund an organization to develop an innovative “gap-filling” project on supported decision-making.  The purpose of this project is to make supported decision-making and alternatives to guardianship more available to community members in Massachusetts. 

The project should meet some needs not already being met that would help more people who want to access supported decision-making. This could include, for example, educating third parties (e.g. school districts), educating people with developmental disabilities and family members (e.g. SEPACs, transition services providers, family support centers, community-based organizations), giving guidance to people looking to create supported decision-making arrangements or agreements, etc. 

Activities must include providing technical assistance to MDDC’s training team on developing a supported decision-making training for people with developmental disabilities. 

In addition, activities can also include but are not limited to: 

- Develop training curricula and other educational materials on supported decision-making.

-Create information and materials in accessible formats, including through translation, print materials, and other means. 

- Conduct outreach to publicize training and recruit trainees, including targeted outreach to underrepresented racial, cultural, and ethnic groups, and the LGBTQIA+ community.  

- Conduct training and education activities online and/or in person.

- Attend meetings with guardianship alternatives coalitions.

Implement follow-up strategies to collect survey data to measure the number of individuals and family members who report increasing their activity as a result of your efforts. 

Expected Outputs: These are dependent on the project described by the applicant and should include concrete measures of the project impact, as well as the number of diverse groups reached, and individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities impacted

Expected Outcome: These are dependent on the project described by the applicant and should include concrete measures of the project outcomes (e.g. People with developmental disabilities, family members, and professionals are informed about supported decision-making; increase the number of people who set up supported decision-making agreements or arrangements) 

The MDDC is required to report data on demographic and federal performance measures to the U.S. Administration for Community Living. 

Grantees will collect and report project data during the project period and summarize it in periodic and final program reports. Data collection will include administering participant surveys for people with developmental disabilities and family members who participate in activities funded by this grant. The grantee will work with MDDC staff to develop a survey that meets MDDC’s reporting requirements and can meaningfully capture project impact. Applicants are encouraged to develop other evaluation tools to assess the project’s success.

The interval between specific activities and follow-up data collection should allow enough time to demonstrate outcomes and impact on project participants. “FFY 2022-2026 Demographic and Performance Measures” is included as Attachment #3. The MDDC participant survey in English is Attachment #4 and the MDDC survey in Spanish is Attachment #5. 

After the grant ends, the grantee will submit final reports with a summary of project activities, accomplishments, output, outcomes, cumulative performance measure totals, project participant demographic data, and one or more personal stories about the project’s impact on people with developmental disabilities. Addenda to be submitted during or after the grant period include a list of trainings and participants, grant products, survey summaries, and other evaluation documents as applicable.

Terms and Conditions

By submitting a grant application to the MDDC, organizations acknowledge that they have read and agree to these conditions:

- Selected applicants will complete and submit federal assurances and state vendor forms as a condition of grant award. Applicants can view the state forms on the Office of the Comptroller website at https://www.macomptroller.org :
- Standard Contract Form and Instructions
- Commonwealth Terms and Conditions
- Verification of Taxpayer Reporting (W9)
- Contractor Authorized Signature Verification Form
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Web Form
Applicants can contact the MDDC to review a copy of the federal assurance forms.

- The following federal audit requirements are applicable to MDDC funds: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-21, A-87, A-122, and A-133; Title 48 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 31; and the Single Audit Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-502).

- The following regulations from Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) may be applicable to MDDC sub-grantees: 45 CFR Parts 16, 30, 76, 80, 81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 91, 92, 93, 97, 100, 1385, and 1386.

- MDDC grantees will submit periodic and final summary program reports through the DD Suite grants management system (described in the “Project Specific Requirements” section.) Periodic expense reports will include project expenses, with the final report documenting that all MDDC grant funds and the minimum non-federal match were spent. Detailed instructions on completing MDDC reports can be found under the DD Suite Help menu.   

- Grantees will distribute participant surveys to project participants with developmental disabilities and family members as described in the Project Requirements section.  If applicable, grantees will collect and provide data to the MDDC for post-project outcomes after the grant period has ended.

- MDDC funded projects will address Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI); intentional inclusion of and equity for underserved and underrepresented communities, reflecting the cultural and demographic diversity of Massachusetts residents.

- Grantees will present a project overview at a quarterly Council meeting during the grant period or upon completion of the project.

- MDDC grantees submit invoices on MDDC payment templates. Grantees have the option of being reimbursed for expenses or paid monthly (Grant Funding/# of Months in Grant Period = Monthly Invoice Amount). The first grant payment may be accelerated for the initial grant installment. Subsequent invoices will be paid in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Bill Payment Policy, unless an earlier payment date is legally mandated. Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) is the required payment method for all payees doing business with the Commonwealth.

- Final drafts of training materials, publications, videos, websites, or other products are to be submitted to the MDDC for review and approval prior to dissemination to the public. Products must acknowledge MDDC funding (e.g., Funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, Federal Award No. 93.630).

- This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,424,070 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. government.

- The MDDC reserves a royalty-free, non-exclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use, any work developed under any grant awarded by the MDDC.

- Applicants are advised to review and implement best practices in family engagement, consistent with the principles and elements in the Massachusetts Family Engagement “Strengthening Partnerships” framework: https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/family-engagement-framework.pdf .

- Direct Federal grants, sub-awards, or contracts under this program cannot be used to support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization.

- Materials developed by grantees under this award are to be available and/or reproducible in accessible formats.

- Any claims for the reimbursement of indirect costs above 10% must be supported by an approved indirect cost rate by the Director, Division of Cost Allocation at the applicable Regional Office of the US Department of Health and Human Services.