Cycle_47_Self-Advocacy_(Isolation)_Project_Flyer.pdf

3831 N. Freeway Boulevard, Suite 125

Sacramento, CA 95834

Phone: (916) 263-7919

Fax: (916) 263-7963 e-mail: council@scdd.ca.gov webpage: www.scdd.ca.gov

SELF-ADVOCACY (Isolation & Loneliness) For federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025, the Council has designated a total amount of $300,000 to fund Cycle 47 projects in one or more of the following proposed topic areas: Health (Tribal), Self-Advocacy (Plain Language), and Self-Advocacy (Isolation).

The Council understands that the final list of approved grant projects may not address all three (3) of the targeted topic areas. The Council will consider all proposal submissions and choose one (1) or more grant-funded projects (that combined) will not exceed the full $300,000 budgeted amount.

Below, please find the Council’s brief description for the Self-Advocacy (Isolation) option.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GRANT (PDG) CYCLE 47

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

DUE: May 10, 2024

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is invested in ensuring that all Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) have opportunities for accessible interactions with their peers and others in meaningful ways. Through anecdotal data, SCDD staff reports, and general observation, the Council has recognized that interactive activities for culturally, linguistically, or cognitively diverse populations of people with I/DD (PwI/DD) and other disabilities are not consistently available throughout California. Additionally, the recent pandemic only heightened widespread gaps, losses, and interruptions in services, supports, and programs that would promote interactive communication and activities, creating an increased sense of isolation and loneliness in individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, individuals with I/DD may experience barriers in expressing and experiencing successful, meaningful social interactions and activities.

mailto:council@scdd.ca.gov http://www.scdd.ca.gov/

The Council is seeking a grantee to develop a comprehensive, accessible, culturally relevant project to reduce social isolation and loneliness that will assist PwI/DD and other disabilities to develop or improve social skills, identify and develop their interests and hobbies, and locate or create opportunities to engage meaningfully with their peers/communities.

The project will focus on evidence-based best and/or promising practices, with an emphasis on sustainability. All materials, mechanisms, resources, deliverables, and contacts will be provided to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and partners invested in the project’s outcomes and deliverables.

SCDD is interested in funding a project to develop a replicable program to reduce loneliness and isolation for PwI/DD and other disabilities, which will:

1. Identify and address barriers to effective social interactions and activities for

PwI/DD

2. Identify, develop, or adapt/enhance curricula to provide accessible, culturally appropriate, inclusive information and training for people with I/DD and other disabilities, including those who are non-verbal, have limited communication, or are homebound, to improve social skills and communication and encourage positive engagement and interaction with peers and others within their own communities

3. Collaborate with diverse groups of self-advocates (PwI/DD) to build a toolkit, resources, curricula, etc. in plain language to assist individuals with disabilities to identify their own unique areas of interest, and explore community-based opportunities to find existing and/or develop new options for social and activity-based interactions and activities

4. Provide training and technical assistance (TA) to PwI/DD and other disabilities and others who wish to use the toolkit and other resources establish activities, projects and/or programs to address isolation and loneliness within their communities and regional or statewide catchment areas

5. Develop and provide a comprehensive report detailing the methods, resources, findings and specific recommendations associated with the development, implementation, outcomes, deliverables, and actual impact(s), including anecdotes and success stories, for this project. This will include identifying effective mechanisms by which the Council and its collaborative partners may continue to provide culturally competent, plain language information, training, resources, and technical assistance around developing and sustaining meaningful opportunities to reduce isolation and loneliness for PwI/DD and other disabilities.

The project will serve as a replicable model by developing and identifying innovative, promising and/or best practices in and/or barriers to reaching, serving and facilitating meaningful interactions for PwI/DD and others in natural settings and activities that support them in culturally appropriate, accessible ways.

The project grantee will:

✓ Have demonstrated knowledge about I/DD and issues that affect those with disabilities

✓ Have experience and cultural competence in reaching and collaborating with PwI/DD and other disabilities, their families, and those entities/professionals that support and serve them, including those in underserved populations and/or remote, diverse regions of California

✓ Have demonstrated experience and cultural competence in developing and providing developmentally/age-appropriate, quality, accessible information, services, and/or resources to PwI/DD and other disabilities

✓ Demonstrate a broad understanding of the interactive and communication needs of families and individuals with I/DD and other disabilities

✓ Demonstrate a broad understanding of outreach principles associated with reaching culturally, economically, ethnically, geographically, linguistically, and other diverse, underserved populations

✓ Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the concepts of self-advocacy, self-determination, supported decision-making, and interactive opportunities within fully inclusive environments

Priority will be given to projects that are led or co-led by people with I/DD and lived experiences and are focused on culturally, ethnically, geographically, economically and linguistically diverse, underserved populations (e.g., Black/African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, etc., in addition to low-income, bilingual or non-English-speaking, inner city and/or deeply rural populations, those who are unhoused or in licensed/foster care settings, and/or those from Native/Tribal communities) in urban and/or rural settings throughout the state.

For more information and to download all forms for Cycle 47, please visit our website https://scdd.ca.gov/grantinformation/

Please email all grant-related questions to grantscontracts@scdd.ca.gov

This project is supported by federal funding through the Administration for Community Living (ACL). For more details, visit: Program Development Grants | SCDD (ca.gov) https://scdd.ca.gov/grantinformation/ mailto:grantscontracts@scdd.ca.gov https://scdd.ca.gov/grantinformation/