Ohio DD Council announces grant opportunities

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council has announced the availability of $216,000 in federal grant funds for projects that promote systems change, capacity building and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. The following four projects are being offered in the areas of outreach and public policy. Grant amounts can range from $26,000 to $100,000, depending upon the project. 1. Exploring the Service and Support Needs in Rural Communities: A grant to provide quantitative and qualitative data on the barriers and needs of individuals with DD living in rural communities so that DD systems might better serve and/or support these individuals and their families. 2. Giving Voice to Ohio's LGBTQ+ Persons with IDD: This project will form an advisory committee consisting of diverse persons with IDD who identify as LGBTQ+, allies of LGBTW+, LGBTQ+ service providers and providers of services to persons with IDD and others to guide and inform all project activities. The project should conduct a needs assessment, analyze the assessment's results, and disseminate the information learned from the needs assessment to key stakeholders in collaboration with the council. 3. Federal Legislative Advocacy Partnership: This project will coordinate a team of Ohioans with disabilities, family members, and professionals from collaborating organizations to travel to Washington D.C. to receive briefings on federal policy impacts on Ohio specifically and to meet with Congressional offices to report on Ohio-specific data. This project will provide support for meeting-related expenses for all attendees. Meeting related expenses are to include cost of meeting space, equipment rental and other costs associated with conducting training sessions. 4. Public Policy Research Grant: A grant established to support the collection and analysis of data that will provide council, advocates and policymakers with objective research and findings that promote systemic change and capacity building to improve services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council is seeking an independent analysis of the impact that elimination of 14(c) subminimum wage certificates has had in other states. All grant awards are contingent upon the availability of federal funds. Applicants must provide cash or in-kind "matching" funds of 33.33% in non-poverty areas and 11.11% in poverty areas. Interested parties can obtain more information about the available projects and application process by visiting the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council's website, or by calling 800-766-7426. The council is accepting online through June 28, 2024. A complete description of each project, known as the State Plan Language, is included as part of the Notice of Funds Available at www.ddsuite.org.