Projects will support youth with DD to acquire leadership skills and develop advocacy plans.
The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund the development of youth leadership development projects. The projects will develop experientially-based programs that will support youth with developmental disabilities (DD) to learn and share information, acquire leadership skills, and develop long-range advocacy plans. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 30, 2016.
Background
Today’s young people speak from a set of experiences different from adult self-advocates and have a great deal to contribute to the current advocacy environment. Successful leadership training programs build upon the identification and development of participants’ strengths as individuals and as a community.
According to the National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (NCLD/Y), the five areas listed below are important for youth leadership training to be effective:
- Learning includes developing both basic and applied academic competencies and skills.
- Thriving is physical and mental health and overall well-being.
- Connecting develops positive social attitudes, skills, and behaviors so that youth feel like they are a part of their community.
- Working improves occupational and career skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are needed for success in the workplace.
- Leading activities and opportunities help youth develop positive civic attitudes, skills, and behaviors.
About the RFP
TCDD has approved funding for up to three projects for up to five years each to each develop a youth leadership development project. Each project will support at least 150 people with DD between 14 and 22 years old to gain and share information, develop skills, and establish personal plans in an experientially-based program.
TCDD expects the organizations that receive these grants to:
- Increase the participants’ knowledge of how to take part in decisions that affect their lives, the lives of others, and/or systems.
- Increase the percentage of individuals participating in leadership and/or advocacy activities. This could include activities as varied as testifying before policy makers, to leading their own Admission, Review, and Dismissal meetings.
- Support graduates to serve as mentors and to develop long-range plans for impact and sustainability.
Because it is unlikely that any one organization can provide enough resources to meet the demand, it is imperative that organizations that offer this kind of training work together to share expertise, to maximize their available resources, and develop a means to continue to support training after TCDD funding has ended.
Priority will be given to programs located in rural areas, programs located in areas with a high percentage of people living in poverty, and programs that can recruit and provide culturally-appropriate training to youth who are African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian. Projects are also encouraged, but not required, to work to include youth in foster care and/or at-risk youth.
Eligibility
Eligible grant applicants include public agencies, private not-for-profit agencies, schools, and private for-profit organizations. Individuals are not eligible to receive a TCDD grant award.
Grant Funds Available
TCDD may award a maximum of $125,000 per year to three organizations for up to five years. TCDD reserves the right to negotiate the budget as needed and may choose not to award funding for this project.
Key Dates
Proposals are due to TCDD by 5 p.m. Central Standard Time on November 30, 2016. Late proposals will not be accepted. TCDD will notify proposers of decisions between February 13 and February 24, 2017. The earliest expected project start date is April 1, 2017 (this date may change).
More Information and Submitting a Proposal
More information, including the complete RFP, is available 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.
