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

Specifications

Description

People with disabilities, families and service providers have knowledge and access to employment related resources, technology and programs resulting in improved employment outcomes. 

Background, rationale, and scope of project: 

Recently the Ohio DD Council conducted the 5-Year State Plan Public Survey as a first step in identifying problems and needs to be addressed the council’s state plan. 

Key findings from this survey in the area of employment identified:

 • Two of the biggest issues for people with disabilities to live the life they want to live were: finding a job or getting a better job or more money and understanding how to get services.

 • One of top reasons people with disabilities were not working in the community was they are afraid of losing their benefits.

 • Barriers to continued education or training after school were lack of knowledge of programs. • Understanding benefits, including Medicaid, SSI, and SSDI, was identified as a significant need.

 • Barriers to accessing technology included: do not know what kind of technology would be helpful and unsure how to pay for the technology. 

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) will fund several projects to ensure people with disabilities, families and service providers have knowledge and access to employment related resources, technology and programs. ODDC will fund several projects from 2022-2026.  ODDC will provide funding for $10,000-$50,000 per project each year. Proposals must indicate the number of years funding is being requested (1, 2, or 3 years) and the amount of funding per year (from $10,000-$50,000).

ODDC will support activities that build capacity and systemic change through outreach, training, research, technical assistance, supporting and educating communities, interagency collaboration and coordination, demonstration of new approaches, informing policymakers and eliminating barriers, and system design and redesign.

Proposals should address, if necessary: transportation, accessibility, use of technology, replication, sustainability, length of the project, if the project reaches entire state or a specific region, cross-disability and cultural diversity. 

Additional Requirements

There are no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply for this project. 

All applications must include three (3) letters of recommendation, the resume of the project director, and the names of the organization’s board members (if the applicant is an organization with a governing board), proof of non-profit status (if the applicant is a non-profit organization), a copy of the applicant’s current federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (if requesting indirect costs and not using the de minimis rate), a signed copy of the Council’s Assurances form, and completed Standard Affirmation and Disclosure Form and Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Certification forms, which will be available on the DD Suite application website. These materials can be uploaded as part of the application submission in DD Suite.

All applicants, with the exception of those exempted under 2 CFR 25.110 (b) or (c), must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) before submitting their application and must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in the application. If your entity is currently registered in SAM.gov, your UEI has already been assigned and is viewable in your entity’s registration record. Entities not currently registered in SAM.gov will be assigned a UEI when they register. Applicants are required to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times that an application is pending or the applicant holds this federal award. The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with these requirements.

Attachments

This NOFA is accompanied by several attachments. Please download and review each attachment prior to beginning the grant application process. The attachments include: 

State Plan Language - This is a complete description of the project which includes intended outcomes and proposed performance measures. 

DD Council Assurances - These assurances must be signed and attached as part of the application submission. Refusal to include a completed DD Council Assurances form will result in the application being removed from consideration.

Standard Affirmation and Disclosure Form - This form must be completed and attached as part of the application submission.

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Certification - This form must be completed and attached as part of the application submission.

Grantee Guidelines - This document includes important information about the requirements of a DD Council grantee. (THIS IS THE MASTER PLAN BOOKLET – ATTACHED)

Funding

Several projects may be selected for funding. ODDC will provide funding for $10,000-$50,000 per project each year. Proposals must indicate the number of years funding is being requested (1 to 3 years). Please note the funding level for ALL projects combined is $59,000/year. Proposals requesting over $50,000 will not be considered.

Clear Language

As a reminder, proposals should be written in clear language. Proposals will be reviewed by individuals with varying degrees of reading ability. Clear language includes complete sentences and correct words. It is not unprofessional or a way of talking down to people. Instead, it is a way of making information easy to read for all audiences. Clear writing tells the readers exactly what they need to know without using extra words and long words. A Clear Language Handout is attached.

Due Date

A complete grant application must be submitted on DD Suites by 11:59 PM on July 7, 2023.

Questions

Please contact Leslie Connelly at leslie.connelly@dodd.ohio.gov or 614-644-5542.