Notice of Funds Available (RFP) Print New Application

Specifications

Purpose

The purpose of this NoFA is to identify and recommend feasible systemic strategies that divert and de-escalate crises for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), helping people remain safely in their own homes or family homes and avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations in Georgia.

Schedule of Events

This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule of Events:
• Applications Due By – November 15, 2027
• Contracts Due By - December 18, 2027
• Project Begins - January 1, 2027

Restrictions on Communication

All questions about this NoFA must be submitted in the following format:
Organization/Individual Name

1. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

2. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

Questions must be directed in writing to the Program Manager, Felicia Dillon at: felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov

Questions must include the company name and the referenced NoFA section.
From the issue date of this NoFA until a contractor is selected and the selection is announced, Applicants are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any State staff except through the Program Manager, or during the Applicants' conference, or as provided by existing work agreement(s). The State reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Applicant violating this provision.
All questions concerning this NoFA must be submitted in writing by email to felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov. Only written questions will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the State.

The DD Council

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is one of 56 entities of its type in the United States and territories that report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Community Living. It is authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) makes funds available to fulfill its mission in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its Five-Year Strategic Plan https://gcdd.org/about/five-year-strategic-plan Through its funding, GCDD works to increase the capacities and resources of public and private nonprofit entities and others to develop a comprehensive community system that responds to the choices, capabilities and needs of persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The purpose of GCDD grants is to expand best practices and contribute to system-wide changes that support the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their full inclusion as community members. Recipients of GCDD grants are expected to be ongoing partners bringing about change. Our activities are governed by a 28-member board, appointed by the Governor and comprised of at least 60 percent individuals with developmental disabilities and family members. Other members include policymakers that represent various agencies and organizations having a vested interested in persons with developmental disabilities. GCDD serves as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. Activities include public policy research and analysis, reform, project demonstrations, education and training. The GCDD is a state agency, attached to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for administrative purposes.

Scope of Work- Request For Proposals

Research and Recommend: Diverting and Deescalating Crisis

Across GCDD’s statewide survey, 63.22% of respondents identified services and supports as a priority for the 2027–2031 State Plan, the highest of any issue area. Participants emphasized the importance of meaningful relationships, peer support, leadership opportunities, and communities where people with IDD are recognized and valued, while noting challenges accessing services and connections, particularly in rural communities. (GCDD, 2025)

These findings highlight the importance of strengthening community-based supports that promote inclusion, connection, and self-determination for people with IDD and their families.

GCDD addresses this priority through GCDD's 5 Year Plan:

Goal 1: Inclusion: By 2031, GCDD will support changes at the state or local level so Georgians with IDD and their families can increase their inclusion in their communities and live self-determined lives.

The project will result In:
• Identification of evidence-based and systemic crisis diversion and de-escalation strategies that can help people with IDD remain safely in their own homes or family homes. Examples include but are not limited to the following, SMART teams, mobile crisis response, crisis navigation and care coordination.
• An analysis of existing crisis response resources, services, and practices, including gaps, barriers, and opportunities for improvement.
• Recommendations for future implementation, including potential partners, resources, investment reference points, and possible outcomes.

2. Required Activities
The selected applicant shall perform the following activities:

A. Literature Review
Conduct a comprehensive literature review of research, evidence-based practices, and promising systemic approaches related to crisis diversion, crisis de-escalation, and preventing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations for people with IDD. Identify strategies that support people with IDD to remain safe in their own homes or family homes, including culturally responsive approaches and considerations for the diverse cultures, communities, and experiences of people with IDD and their families. Identify relevant outcome measures, data sources, and evidence gaps to inform subsequent activities and recommendations.

B. Environmental Scan
Conduct a statewide and national environmental scan of existing crisis response systems, services, resources, partnerships, and funding efforts relevant to people with IDD. Identify strengths, gaps, barriers, opportunities, and promising practices. Incorporate available data on emergency room visits, hospitalizations, crisis events, and other relevant outcomes.

C. Comprehensive Inventory of Existing, Replicable, and/or Modifiable Programs
Develop an inventory of existing programs and approaches that support crisis diversion and de-escalation for people with IDD, including current State of Georgia programs and initiatives. Assess program components, populations served, geographic reach, outcomes, costs and resources, and potential for replication, adaptation, or modification.

D. Investment Recommendations
Develop evidence-informed recommendations for GCDD based on findings from the literature review, environmental scan, program inventory, and available data. Recommendations should identify feasible strategies, potential partners, resources, possible outcomes, and opportunities to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations while supporting people with IDD to remain in their own homes or family homes.
Engage people with IDD and their families to provide feedback on the feasibility, accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and potential impact of proposed recommendations and incorporate their feedback into the final recommendations. For each recommended strategy, provide an estimated investment range or other reasonable reference points, including the assumptions and resources used to develop the estimate. Recommendations should incorporate findings regarding the cultural, geographic, and demographic characteristics, needs, and experiences of the communities studied and provide guidance for culturally responsive implementation and adaptation.

E. GCDD Years 2–5 Investment Plan
Develop a practical Years 2–5 plan for GCDD that prioritizes recommended strategies and identifies potential sequencing, investment reference points, partnerships, possible outcomes. Consider cultural consideration and responsiveness, community-specific needs, sustainability, scalability, and opportunities to leverage existing State of Georgia initiatives and community resources.

3. Project Requirements and Deliverables

The selected applicant must:
• Develop all products and deliverables at approximately a sixth grade reading level and in plain language.
• Meaningfully engage people with IDD and their family members throughout the project and, when allowable, provide appropriate compensation for their time, expertise, and participation.
• Ensure recommendations address the needs of people with IDD, family members, and the whole family.
• Participate in regular check-ins with GCDD program staff to discuss progress, findings, and emerging issues.
• Submit project outputs quarterly as part of the quarterly project reporting process. GCDD may request additional or interim outputs as needed throughout the project period.
• Clearly document sources, methods, community input, cultural considerations, and findings used to develop recommendations.

4. Mandatory cultural expectations:
• Cultural knowledge and consideration of the communities being scanned.
• Cultural considerations and guidance built into the final recommendations.

5. Qualifications:
• Experience engaging people with IDD and families in research, evaluation, or program design.
• Research experience, including qualitative and/or quantitative data collection, analysis, and evaluation.

Application Guidelines & Instructions

Applications must be submitted online via https://www.ddsuite.org, prior to the published deadline. No hard copies will be accepted. Applicants must have or create a DD Suite user account and an organization account in order to submit an application. Go to https://www.ddsuite.org and click on "HELP TAB" for detailed instructions on creating DD Suite user and organization accounts. (See complete application process and Guide to DD Suite attached)
Additional Submission Requirements:

1) Upload of copy of the Federal W-9 (attached to this NoFA)
2) E-Verify Affidavit (attached to this NoFA)
3) 501c3 (if applicable)
4) Most recent audit including cover letter and findings OR Year to Date Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement (waived for universities)
5) Conflict of interest policy required
6) Procurement policy and/or procedure required
7) Insurance liability coverage certificate (waived for universities)
8) Letters of Recommendation (optional)
9) Resumes of Project Staff (optional)

Each proposal should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials (unless materials have been requested) beyond those sufficient to provide a complete presentation. If supplemental materials are a necessary part of the proposal, the Applicant should reference these materials in the technical proposal, identifying the document(s) and citing the appropriate section and page(s) to be reviewed.
Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Evaluation Process
The evaluation of proposals received on or before the due date and time will be conducted in the following phases. Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Administrative Review
The Program Manager will screen each proposal. The screening will consist of:
(1) determining if the Applicant is eligible to receive Council funds including determining if the Applicant meets eligibility requirements and is registered to do business in Georgia;
(2) the budget is within the funding limits and includes the required match;
(3) the application is complete and all sections in DD Suite have responses; and,
(4) the required forms are attached.

DD Suite will issue an automatic reply acknowledging receipt of your proposal immediately after successful submission.