Applicants must agree, assure and certify that it will comply with all terms, conditions, guidelines and requirements with respect to grant projects as follows:
“Statutory/Program Assurances” for other terms and conditions are attached to each RFA. The Statutory/ Program Assurances form must be signed and submitted as part of the application.
All applications must:
All forms requiring signatures must be signed by an authorized official before being submitted.
TCDD staff review applications upon submission for compliance with the requirements of the RFA and to ensure that all sections are complete. Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the requirements of the RFA will not be considered.
An Independent Review Panel consisting of three to five people with expertise related to the RFA reviews the applications. The panel’s review focuses on the quality of the proposed plan, the feasibility of completing the plan, and how well the proposed project may move TCDD closer to meeting the TCDD State Plan Goals and Objectives. The panel will only consider the contents of the application. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:
Preference will be given to proposals that:
The TCDD Executive Committee reviews information related to the steps above and makes the final funding decisions. If you have received a grant in the last five years, TCDD staff inform the Executive Committee about your performance on the past Project.
Note: TCDD may give priority to proposals that address the needs of people who are unserved or underserved. This may include, but is not limited to:
TCDD will notify each Successful Applicant of its selection to receive an award. The dollar amount awarded to each Apparent Awardee depends on the:
Any award resulting from this RFA will be funded:
Under the cost reimbursement method, the Grantee must initially pay for project activities using its own funds. TCDD then issues reimbursement payments to the Grantee on a monthly basis for reported actual cash disbursements supported by adequate documentation.
All costs funded by the grant must be allowable, allocable and reasonable. Grant applications must be supported by a detailed and realistic budget.
Before finalizing any agreements, TCDD may enter negotiations with each Successful Applicant to determine:
Reimbursement is made only for allowable and reported expenses the Grantee incurs within the grant term.
The negotiation phase involves direct contact between the Apparent Awardee and TCDD representatives and may be conducted via phone, email, and/or in person. Apparent Awardees may expect:
Final funding amounts and award terms are determined at the sole discretion of TCDD.
TCDD reserves the right to cancel, make partial award, or decline to award a Grant under this RFA at any time at its sole discretion.
Grantees must submit progress reports quarterly. Grantees must submit financial documents, including reimbursement requests, monthly. Grantees must also provide required evaluation and survey data, information about systems change measures, contact information for project participants, annual continuation proposals, personal stories related to impact of project activities, and a final report. Failure to meet reporting and spending requirements may impact continuation or future grant awards.
Grantees may be asked to provide information about public policy implications and sustainability in the application for continuation funding.
TCDD supports the establishment of a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) for all or part of a project period, although a PAC is typically not required. TCDD may determine the need for the grantee to establish a PAC to help the project produce outcomes that are consistent with the RFA goals.
TCDD will serve as a resource to support grantees to be successful. Grantees may be asked to participate in grants management training during the project period. Grantees may also receive calls from TCDD staff about outcome and performance measures, public policy issues that relate to a Grantee’s project, products produced, and project events (if applicable). All grantees are required to attend a new grant kick-off with TCDD. An in-person kick off meeting is not required; however, travel costs for this kick off meeting should be included in the budget if the meeting will take place in person. If a Grantee’s project is funded for additional years, they may be asked to present about the project’s progress at a quarterly Council meeting (typically held in Austin). Kick-off meetings and Council meetings should be factored into Grantees’ annual budget. TCDD may share opportunities for a Grantee to present at state and/or national conferences.
Grantees will work with TCDD to develop and execute a communications plan for their project. Plans could include promoting grantee activities via external communications, raising awareness about products created as part of the project (if any), and developing required stories about the project’s impact at both the community and personal level. All communications products must be approved by TCDD.
All Grantees must adhere to the TCDD Grants Manual which is a document that provides information related to program policies and procedures, financial regulations, financial guidelines, and more. To view the manual, click here.
TCDD welcomes innovative ideas and suggestions of activities to implement the Goals and Objectives in the TCDD State Plan.
Email tcdd@tcdd.texas.gov or complete the online feedback form to submit your ideas.
6201 E. Oltorf St., Suite 600
Austin, TX 78741-7509
Phone: 512-437-5432
Toll Free: 1-800-262-0334
Email: tcdd@tcdd.texas.gov
6201 E. Oltorf St., Suite 600
Austin, TX 78741-7509
Phone: 512-437-5432
Toll Free: 1-800-262-0334
Email: tcdd@tcdd.texas.gov
The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We continually work to apply best practices and adhere to Web Content Accessibility (WCAG) 2.1 standards. Read More about TCDD’s accessibility statement.