RFP for Leadership and Advocacy Training in Rural Areas

The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund up to three projects to provide leadership development and advocacy skills training in rural areas. People who participate in the trainings will acquire skills to become active in creating systems change. The deadline to submit a proposal was November 30, 2017.

Background
TCDD’s state plan includes objectives to provide leadership development and advocacy skills training to support individuals with disabilities to create systems change. There is an ongoing need to develop these types of training programs in rural areas and in areas where a high percentage of people live in poverty. There is also a need to recruit and provide culturally-appropriate advocacy training to people who are African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian.

TCDD has funded multiple statewide and local leadership development and advocacy skills training projects. This RFP supports leadership development and advocacy skills in the designated rural areas of Texas.

About the RFP
TCDD will fund up to three projects for up to five years to provide leadership development and advocacy skills training in rural areas. Grantees will recruit participants from their local community and use a TCDD-approved training curriculum. Grantees will support participation of people who:

  • live in rural areas and must travel long distances,
  • have reduced access to transportation, and/or
  • may be living in poverty.

Training participants may include individuals with disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, and other interested community members. On average, at least 50 people will participate in the training program each year of the project. Training will include information about:

  • the disability rights movement,
  • self-determination,
  • accessing services and supports,
  • self-advocacy skills, and
  • peer supports.

TCDD expects that people who participate in the training program will acquire the skills necessary to create systems change. Also, projects should have a long-term impact that improves the lives of people with disabilities. Examples could include creating a policy or a program, educating decision-makers, or supporting people with disabilities to serve in leadership positions.

Eligibility
Public agencies, not-for-profit organizations, secondary schools and post-secondary institutions, faith-based institutions, and for-profit businesses may apply. The entity that applies for this grant must be the entity that will administer the grant and receive, disburse, and account for grant funds. Individuals may not apply for this grant.

A list of designated rural counties in Texas definitions of County Designations were listed on the Texas Health and Human Services website. This poist is from 2017 and the wepage is no longer active on the HHS site.

Grant Funds Available
TCDD may award up to three organizations a maximum of $85,000 per year for up to five years. Funding for the second through fifth years is not automatic. Additional funding may be available to provide reasonable accommodations to project directors who have a developmental disability.

Key Dates
Proposals are due to TCDD by 5 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, November 30, 2017. Late proposals will not be accepted. TCDD will notify applicants about decisions within 30 days following TCDD’s February 2018 Council Meeting. The earliest expected project start date is March 1, 2018 (this date may change). The original deadline to submit a proposal was November 15, 2017.

More Information and Submitting a Proposal
For more information, the complete RFP is available on the Notice of Funds Available 2017-5 Leadership Development and Advocacy Skills Training in Rural Areas webpage on the DD Suite website. Proposals for this RFP and all forms must be submitted using DD Suite.

Questions

If you have questions after reviewing the complete RFP, email grants@tcdd.texas.gov.


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