Grant Opportunity Announcement: Advocacy Training and Statewide Network

The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is seeking to fund one grantee in the amount of up to $250,000 per year for three years to develop a comprehensive advocacy training for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The training will have separate tracks for self-advocates and parents/family members/caregivers. The grantee will also create a statewide advocacy network. They will establish ongoing learning and advocacy opportunities. There is the potential for an additional two years of funding. These additional years of funding will be dependent on grantee performance in annual evaluations and the availability of funds.

Important Dates:

Term of Contract:

The contract awarded in response to this RFP will be for three years with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025 and an end date of June 30, 2028.

Project Background:

Self-advocacy and advocacy help individuals to increase their own confidence and quality of life as well as build their communities. Making connections and meeting those in similar situations helps advocates of all kinds, move forward. Although there are advocacy groups for people with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the state, there is not a strong network which brings them together to share information, resources, and coordinate opportunities.

Approach:

One grantee will develop a comprehensive advocacy training for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The training will have separate tracks for self-advocates and parents/family members/caregivers. Trainings should be developed and offered based on the needs of each cohort, incorporating previous experience in advocacy as well as topical areas of interest. 

The grantee will also create a statewide advocacy network. There will be ongoing learning and advocacy opportunities for trainees as well as the broader community.

Expected Key Deliverables:

The key deliverables of this project include: 

• Development self-advocacy trainings, with breakout sessions, for people with DD and family members. Sessions will include built-in opportunities to get to know other participants.
• Training sessions that reflect varying skill sets. Existing self-advocacy associations will help teach specific content sessions.
• Training offered throughout each project year. Trainings in all regions of the state, and in a blended format.
• A statewide advocacy network. Coordination of advocacy efforts with other organizations.
• Ongoing learning opportunities to practice advocacy skills.
• Registration, recruitment, program design and implementation.
• The grantee will use grant funds to get an external evaluator for all years of the project.
• The grantee must incorporate sustainability planning into the proposed model.

Desired Project Outcomes:

The intended outcomes of this grant opportunity include:

• Establishment of self-advocate and parent/family member/caregiver-focused advocacy training tracks.
• Development of a comprehensive NYS advocacy network.
• Increased advocacy skills gained and practiced through the training and supplementary activities.
• Increased stakeholder representation in various local and statewide venues where decisions about people with DD are being made.

• Nonprofit organizations (note: the lead applicant cannot be a for-profit organization; however, for-profit organizations may serve as subcontractors to the lead applicant)
• Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, or hospitals
• Disability-service organizations
• Community-based organizations
• Tribal organizations
• Consortia, groups, or partnerships among organizations

How to Apply

Instructions on how to apply for this opportunity can be found in the Advocacy Training and Statewide Network RFP, which is also located in the Opportunity Documents section below.

Designated Agency Contact:

CDD has assigned a Program Planner as the Designated Contact / Issuing Officer for this project. The Program Planner or a designee shall be the sole point of contact regarding the RFP from the date of issuance of the RFP until the issuance of the Notice of Award letter. To avoid being deemed non-responsive, an applicant is restricted from contacting any other personnel of the CDD regarding the RFP. Certain findings of non-responsibility can result in rejection for a contract award.