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

Specifications

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice of Funds Available (NoFA) is to build a strong coalition of family advocates within Georgia. These family advocates will build on the foundation that is already provided to help keep educating families about how to navigate the disability community.

Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events
This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule of Events:
• Applications Due By – Jan 31, 2025
• Contracts Due By - March 31, 2025
• Project Begins - April 1, 2025

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 Grants 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 Grants 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 27-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

Family Advocates Coalition

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is the state's leader in advancing public policy on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. Our mission is to promote public policy that creates an integrated community life for persons with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors, and all who support them. We achieve this mission by sharing information, coordinating public outreach, and implementing strategic legislative advocacy. This NOFA will help create future advocates by investing and young families with children that have disabilities
The Family Advocacy Coalition aims to support young families as they navigate the complexities of the disability service system. The coalition’s primary goal is to increase families' knowledge and understanding of the educational system in Georgia, while also connecting them to a broad range of services beyond education. This includes helping families understand and apply for waivers and other support programs.
A key focus will be on reaching out to historically marginalized communities within the disability community, ensuring that they have access to the resources and guidance they need. In addition to preparing families to navigate the educational system, the coalition will also equip them with the tools and confidence to advocate for their needs with local, state, and federal lawmakers.

Required activities:

Goal 1: Enhance Outreach to Legislators and Key Decision Makers
Objective: Organize and host an event prior to the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly aimed at training family members and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) on how to identify and connect with their state legislators.

Key Activities:
1. Identify State Legislators: Family Advocates Coalition will conduct research to identify relevant state legislators representing the districts of family members and individuals with I/DD.
2. Engage Legislators: Family Advocates Coalition will proactively engage with identified state legislators to build relationships and foster collaboration on issues affecting the I/DD community. They will also engage in GCDD’s advocacy days during the legislative session.

3. Invite Legislators to Pre-Session Event: Family Advocates Coalition will formally invite the identified state legislators to participate in the pre-session event to ensure their involvement and provide them with a platform to engage directly with families and individuals with I/DD.

Goal 2: Increase awareness of the needs of individuals with DD and their families, particularly those who speak English as a Second Language (ESL).
Objective: to identify individuals with DD and their families who are part of ESL communities, and to create inclusive and accessible resources and opportunities for engagement, advocacy, and support.

Key Activities:
1. Identify areas with a high ESL population of individuals with DD and family members.
a. Conduct Community Outreach & Surveys: Partner with local ESL centers, churches, cultural organizations, and schools to distribute surveys or host listening sessions to understand the unique needs of ESL families with members who have DD.

b. Host lunch and learn, in-person, or online, for the ESL community on the importance of applying for services

c. Collaborate with Local Organizations: Work with local ESL classes, community groups, and advocacy organizations to co-host these events, making them more culturally relevant and accessible to diverse populations.

2. Expand and update current curriculum to encompass new advocates in the ESL community that aligns with GCDD Core values of Inclusion in the community.

Goal 3: Increase the collaboration among DD coalitions.

Objective 1: Partner with educational organizations in hosting an event specifically designed for families within the developmental disability community, providing guidance and resources to help them access educational and support services for the school year.

Key Activities:
1. Invite various local educational and support service providers to share information about their services.
2. Host workshops or breakout sessions on navigating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. Invite experts to guide families through the process of advocating for their children's needs in school.
3. Organize a short, guided discussion where parents can share experiences, challenges, and tips with each other in a supportive environment. Include a moderator to ensure the conversation is constructive and solution oriented.

Required Performance Measures
• Ensure race, gender, and socio-economic diversity in coalition membership.
1.2 The number of family members who participated in Council supported activities designed to increase their knowledge of how to take part in decisions that affect the family, the lives of others, and/or systems.
1.3, The number of 'other individuals' who participated in Council supported in activities designed to increase their knowledge
2.2 After participation in Council supported activities, the percent of family members who report increasing their advocacy as a result of Council work.
2.2A, After participation in Council supported activities, the number of family members who responded to follow up inquiries about increasing their advocacy.
2.2B, The number of family members that responded to follow up inquiries who reported increasing their advocacy as a result of Council work.
2.3FAM, Of the total in IFA 2.2B, the number of Family members who responded that they are 'better able to say what they want, etc.'
3.2A, The number of family members who completed the satisfaction question on the participant surveys.
IFA 2.5FAM Of the total in IFA 2.2B, the number of Family members who responded that they are 'participating on cross disability coalitions, boards, and/or serving in leadership positions'.
3.2B, The number of family members satisfied with a project activity.
SC 1.3.2, The number of promising practices supported through Council activities.
SC 1.4 The number of people trained or educated through Council systemic change initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to make effective oral presentations to diverse groups.
• Strong Coalition-building skills.
• Connected with local advocacy groups.
• Competent grasp of the different conceptions of disability (Medical model, Social model, and human rights model).
• Willingness to adapt strategies to meet the participants where they are using Universal Design methods.
Experience working with ESL community

Outputs/Expected Deliverables
• Monthly updates to the Parent Advocate Curriculum, uploaded into DD Suite.
• Monthly submission of GCDD’s evaluation tool, identifying areas of expansion within the curriculum uploaded into DD Suite.
• Creation and submission of a final version the Parent Advocate Curriculum for GCDD use and distribution, uploaded into DD Suite.

Application Submission & Evaluation

The Applicant must submit a complete application in DD Suite which includes a Project Outline, a Project Work Plan and a Project Budget.

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) Upload a plain language summary of the submitted application. The plain language summary should be one to two pages, and should include the following headings followed by a short plain language paragraph (5 – 10 sentences):
• Executive Summary
• Qualifications
• Detailed Narrative
• Outcomes Key
• Evaluation
• Diversity
• Budget
• Workplan
Applications that do not include a plain language summary may be rejected.
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 Grants 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.

NOFA Policies

Rejection of Proposals/Cancellation of NoFA

The State reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any irregularity or informality in a proposal, and to accept or reject any item or combination of items; when to do so would be to the advantage of the State. It is also within the right of the State to reject proposals that do not contain all the elements and information requested in this document. The State reserves the right to cancel this NoFA at any time. The State will not be liable for any cost/losses incurred by the Applicants throughout this process.

NoFA Amendments

The State reserves the right to amend this NoFA prior to the proposal due date. All amendments and additional information will be posted to http://ddsuite.org Applicants are encouraged to check this website frequently.

Proposal Withdrawal

A submitted proposal may be withdrawn prior to the due date by a written request to the Operations and Contracts Director. A request to withdraw a proposal must be signed by an authorized individual.

Cost for Preparing Proposals

The cost for developing the proposal is the sole responsibility of the Applicant. The State will not provide reimbursement for such costs.

Conflict of Interest

If an Applicant has any existing client relationship that involves the State of Georgia, the Applicant must disclose each relationship.

Reciprocal Preference Law OCGA 50-5-60(b)

For the purposes of evaluation only, Applicants resident in the State of Georgia will be granted the same preference over Applicants resident in another State in the same manner, on the same basis, and to the same extent that preference is granted in awarding bids for the same goods or services by such other State Applicants resident therein over Applicants resident in the State of Georgia. NOTE: For the purposes of this law, the definition of a resident Applicant is one who maintains a place of business with at least one employee inside the State of Georgia. A post office box address will not satisfy this requirement.

ADA Guidelines

The State of Georgia adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants should contact the Grants Manager at least 48 hours in advance if they require special arrangements when attending the Applicant's Conference. The Georgia Relay Center at 1-800-255-0056 (TDD Only) or 1-800-255-0135 (Voice) will relay messages, in strict confidence, for the speech and hearing impaired.