HHS-2024-ACL-AOD-DDUC-0007 Full FOA.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Disabilities

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service

HHS-2024-ACL-AOD-DDUC-0007

02/26/2024

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Summary/Abstract

Problem Statement

Goals and Objectives

Proposed Intervention

Special Target Populations and Organizations

Outcomes

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

Organizational Capability

Budget Narrative/Justification

Work Plan

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

Administration on Disabilities Funding Opportunity Title:

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2024-ACL-AOD-DDUC-0007

Primary CFDA Number:

93.632 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

11/21/2023 Due Date for Applications:

02/26/2024 Date for Informational Conference Call:

01/11/2024 Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary https://www.grants.gov/

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary The Administration on Disabilities (AoD) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will use Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 funds to make five-year grants to three entities designated as University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD). These grantees carry out four core functions: (1) interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education of students; (2) community services, including training, technical assistance, and/or demonstration and model activities; (3) research; and (4) dissemination of information. UCEDDs are interdisciplinary education, research and public service units of universities, or public or not-for-profit entities associated with universities that implement the four core functions addressing, directly or indirectly, one or more of the areas of emphasis (e.g., quality assurance, education and early intervention, child care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation and other services available or offered to individuals in a community, including formal and informal community supports, that affect their quality of life). Funds made available under this proposed funding opportunity will be used to pay for the federal share of the cost of the administration and operation of centers designated as UCEDDs. This funding opportunity announcement contains instructions for the three existing UCEDDs that must submit FY 2024 five-year grant applications for core funding to receive continued funding and designation as a UCEDD.

I. Funding Opportunity Description The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) is designed to improve conditions and expand opportunities for people who historically have faced exclusion from schools, jobs, and other community activities because of developmental disabilities. As defined in the DD Act of 2000, the term "developmental disabilities" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments that are manifested before the individual attains age 22 and are likely to continue indefinitely. Developmental disabilities result in substantial limitations in three or more of the following functional areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.

The DD Act of 2000 identifies a number of significant findings, including:

• Disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to enjoy the opportunity for independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community.

• Individuals whose disabilities occur during their developmental period frequently have severe disabilities that are likely to continue indefinitely.

• Individuals with developmental disabilities often require lifelong specialized services and assistance, provided in a coordinated and culturally competent manner by many agencies, professionals, advocates, community representatives and others to eliminate barriers and to meet the needs of such individuals and their families.

The DD Act of 2000 promotes the best practices and policies presented below:

• Individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with the most severe developmental disabilities, are capable of achieving independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community, and often require the provision of services, supports, other assistance to achieve such.

• Individuals with developmental disabilities have competencies, capabilities, and personal goals that should be recognized, and supported, and any assistance to such individuals should be provided in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strenghts, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of the individual.

• Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are the primary decision makers regarding the services and supports such individuals and their families receive and play decision making roles in policies and programs that affect the lives of such individuals and their families.

Toward these ends and through this funding opportunity, AoD seeks to support and accomplish the following:

• Increasing the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise greater choice, self-determination and to engage in leadership activities in their communities;

• Enhancing the capabilities of families in assisting individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their maximum potential;

• Promoting systemic change activities that ensure the active and meaningful engagement and participation of individuals with developmental disabilities in community-based programs and services;

• Promoting the active involvement of individuals with developmental disabilities and families in all aspects of grantee programs, activities, and services;

• Ensuring the protection of the legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities;

• Ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their families enjoy the same level of meaningful opportunities to access and use community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance available to other individuals with developmental disabilities and their families; and

• Promoting recruitment efforts that increase the number of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who work with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in disciplines related to pre-service training, community training, practice, administration, and policymaking.

According to Section 153 (a)(1) of the DD Act of 2000, UCEDDs are funded to provide leadership in, advise federal, state, and community policymakers about, and promote opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life.

UCEDDs are defined as interdisciplinary education, research, and public service units of universities or public or non-profit entities associated with universities that engage in four core functions, addressing, directly or indirectly, one or more of the areas of emphasis.

The following is a description of the four core functions:

1. Provision of interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education of students and fellows, which may include the preparation and continuing education of leadership, direct service, clinical or other personnel to strengthen and increase the capacity of States and communities to achieve the purpose of the DD Act of 2000.

2. Provision of community services that provide training and/or technical assistance for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, professionals, paraprofessionals, policy makers, students, and other members of the community and may provide services, supports, and assistance through demonstration and model activities.

3. Conduct of research, which may include basic or applied research, evaluation, and the analysis of public policy in areas that affect or could affect, either positively or negatively, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

4. Dissemination of information related to activities undertaken to address the purpose of the DD Act of 2000, especially dissemination of information that demonstrates that the national network of UCEDDs is a national and international resource that includes specific substantive areas of expertise that may be accessed and applied in diverse settings and circumstances.

According to Section 152 of the DD Act of 2000, grants must be made to each UCEDD that existed in the preceding Fiscal Year that meets the requirements of subtitle D. Funds are used to pay for the federal share of the cost of the administration and operation of the UCEDD. The DD Act of 2000 defines a State as the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service The National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs) comprises 68 Centers, including at least one in every state and territory. These Centers are interdisciplinary education, research, and public service units of universities or public or not-for-profit entities associated with universities that address, directly or indirectly, one or more areas of emphasis (e.g., quality assurance, education and early intervention, child care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, and other services available or offered to individuals in a community, including formal and informal community supports, that affect their quality of life). As liaisons to service delivery systems, UCEDDs serve to positively affect the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and work toward increasing their independence, productivity, inclusion, and integration into communities.

UCEDD activities include:

1. Interdisciplinary Pre-service Preparation and Continuing Education. Directing exemplary interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education. The provision of formal training is offered in an interdisciplinary format where faculty and trainees represent a variety of disciplines, such as pediatrics, education, psychology and nursing, thereby expanding opportunities for students to learn about the differing perspectives of various professionals who are providing services to, and working on behalf of, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

2. Providing community services. Staff offer expertise and inform the field through training, technical assistance and demonstration as well as model activities to individuals with developmental disabilities, families, support service organizations, professionals, paraprofessionals, students, systems, volunteers, and others.

3. Research. UCEDDs contribute to the development of new knowledge through various research activities that may include the field testing of models of service delivery and evaluation of existing innovative practices.

4. Information dissemination. UCEDDs work to bridge the gap between research and practice by developing products and resources in a variety of formats that they then disseminate to the field.

Statutory Authority Section 151(a) of the DD Act of 2000 states that appropriations authorized under section 156(a)(1) of the DD Section 151(a) of the DD Act shall be used to make five-year grants to entities in each State designated as University Centers in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service to carry out the four core functions of interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education, community services, research and information dissemination. Entities eligible to apply for funds under this funding opportunity announcement are the grantees which were awarded UCEDD five year core grants in FY 2019.

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

G (Grant) Estimated Total Funding:

$1,856,274 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$618,758 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$606,330 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants For FY 2024 the below guidance is provided to advance the Administration’s policy, as stated in E.O. 13985, to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” This guidance is intended to begin to address inequities in HHS programs, processes, and policies that may serve as barriers to equal opportunity. By advancing equity in our NOFOs, we can “create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone.”

For FY 2024 the below guidance is provided to advance the Administration’s policy, as stated in E.O. 13985, to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” This guidance is intended to begin to address inequities in HHS programs, processes, and policies that may serve as barriers to equal opportunity. By advancing equity in our NOFOs, we can “create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone.”

Entities eligible to apply for funds under this funding opportunity announcement are the UCEDD grantees awarded five-year core funds in FY2019. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement. Section 151(a) of the DD Act of 2000 states that appropriations authorized under section 156(a)(1) of the DD Act shall be used to make five-year grants to entities in each State designated as UCEDDs.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

Yes For awards that do not require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients are not expected to provide cost sharing or matching. However, recipients are allowed to voluntarily propose a commitment of non-federal resources. If an applicant decides to voluntarily contribute non-federal resources towards project costs and the costs are accepted by ACL, the non-federal resources will be included in the approved project budget. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to meet the voluntary amount of non-federal resources that was accepted by ACL as part of the approved project costs and that was identified in the approved budget in the NOA, may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

For awards that require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources (at or above the statutory requirement) in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to provide the statutorily required matching or cost sharing amount (and any voluntary committed amount in excess) may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

Under this ACL program, ACL will fund no more than 75% of the project’s total cost, which means the applicant must cover at least 25% of the project’s total cost with non-Federal resources. In other words, for every three (3) dollars received in Federal funding, the applicant must contribute at least one (1) dollar in non-Federal resources toward the project’s total cost.

This “three-to-one” ratio is reflected in the following formula which you can use to calculate the minimum required match.

(Federal Funds Requested) times (Match Percentage) divided by (Inverse Match Percentage)

Here are examples of varying match levels

A common error applicants make is to match 25% of the Federal share, rather than 25% of the project’s total cost.

There are two types of match: 1) non-Federal cash and 2) non-Federal in-kind. In general, costs borne by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors and consultants, are considered matching funds.

Grantees must provide at least 25% percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACL (federal) share and the non-federal share. The non-federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.

Failure to provide the required amount will result in the disallowance of federal funds. A lack of supporting documentation at the time of application submission will not exclude the application from competitive review.

Reduced Match In certain circumstances, the minimum required match may be less than 25% of the total project cost.

Section 154 (d)(2) of the DD Act states:

"In the case of a project whose activities or products target individuals with developmental disabilities who live in an urban or rural poverty area, as determined by the Secretary, the federal share of the cost of the project may not be more than 90 percent of the necessary costs of the project, as determined by the Secretary."

Two-Tiered Eligibility System for Reduced Match

To meet the requirements in the DD Act, AoD has developed a system that UCEDDs can use to request a reduced match on the core grant. Such a request is optional and not a requirement for UCEDDs.

AoD will use a two-tiered system for determining eligibility for the reduced match:

Tier 1: UCEDDs in States where the poverty rate is equal to or greater than the official national

Federal Funds Requested X Match Percentage / Inverse Match Percentage

Minimum Match Requirement

($100,000 X 5%) / (95%) $5,263

($100,000 X 25%) / (75%) $33,333

($100,000 X 35%) / (65%) $53,846

($100,000 X 45%) / (55%) $81,818 poverty rate would automatically qualify for the reduced match.

Tier 2: UCEDDs in States with a poverty rate not equal to or greater than the official national poverty rate would have to show that the UCEDD activities target individuals with developmental disabilities in urban or rural poverty areas.

In doing so, the UCEDD would demonstrate that at least 25 percent of the UCEDD projects target individuals with developmental disabilities who live in urban and rural poverty areas by providing the following information to AoD:

1. The current State poverty rate;

2. A full listing of all the UCEDD's current projects [this can be generated from the

National Information Reporting System (NIRS)];

3. Identify which UCEDD activities are targeting individuals with developmental disabilities living in urban and rural poverty areas by stating whether the UCEDD activity is associated with any of the Urban and Rural Poverty Indicators listed in the announcement or is targeted for individuals with developmental disabilities in an urban and rural poverty area through some other means.

A UCEDD seeking to establish eligibility for a reduced match through means other than showing an activity is associated with one or more of the Urban and Rural Poverty Indicators must include in its application other information that establishes that its activities are targeted to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities in an urban or rural poverty area. Because there are not federal poverty rates for Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, these jurisdictions can qualify for the reduced match by establishing that the UCEDD activity is associated with any of the Urban and Rural Poverty Indicators listed in the announcement or is targeted for individuals with developmental disabilities in an urban or rural poverty area through some other means.

The table below shows the Urban or Rural Poverty Indicators that will be used to determine eligibility for the reduced match.

Definitions

• Poverty area: Census tracts or block numbering areas (BNAs) where at least 20 percent of residents are below the poverty level.

• Urban Area: Collective term referring to all areas that are urban. For Census 2000, there are two types of urban areas: urban clusters and urbanized areas.

• Urban Cluster (UC): A densely settled territory that has at least 2,500 persons but fewer than 50,000.

• Urbanized Area (UA): An area consisting of a central place(s) and adjacent territory with a general population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile of land area that together have a minimum residential population of at least 50,000 persons. The U.S.

Census Bureau uses published criteria to determine the qualification and boundaries of UAs.

• Rural: Territory, population and housing units not classified as urban. Rural classification cuts across other hierarchies and can be in metropolitan or non-metropolitan areas. Rural can include frontier, which are places having a population density of six or fewer persons

- per square mile.

Urban and Rural Description

Poverty Indicator

Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities

(EZ/EC)

Areas designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as communities with high rates of poverty.

Food Stamps

The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families who receive food stamps.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) - also referred to as Free and Reduced Lunch Program

NSLP is a federally assisted meal program operating to provide low-cost or free lunches to children. The UCEDD project would have to be implemented in a school that qualifies for the NSLP.

Head Start

The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families. The UCEDD project would have to work with a Head Start program.

Housing Assistance

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a variety of housing assistance programs, such as Section 8 housing assistance programs. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families who are receiving Federal housing assistance.

Medicaid Title XIX of the Social Security Act is a Federal/State entitlement program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families who are Medicaid-eligible.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is designed to help aged, blind and disabled people, who have little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with Developmental Disabilities who are SSI recipients.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF is a federal poverty program that provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families through grants to States. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with Developmental Disabilities, children with Developmental Disabilities, and their families who are TANF recipients.

Other

The UCEDD may provide other indicators of poverty not included in this list. The UCEDD would have to provide adequate information to justify use of the 'other' category. In doing so, the UCEDD will have to demonstrate the project is targeting individuals with developmental disabilities in rural and urban poverty areas. AoD will determine the adequacy of the justification for eligibility for a reduced match.

In accordance with the DD Act of 2000, AoD will review all the information submitted by the UCEDD to determine eligibility for the reduced match.

SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR SUBMITTING INFORMATION TO AoD To streamline the process, below is a suggested format for submitting the information to AoD.

Official Poverty Rate 11.5% UCEDD Project Title and Description Indicators of Poverty

Provide Name of Project and project description List of the poverty program targeted by the project

Of the total UCEDD projects, the percent that is targeting individuals with developmental disabilities living in urban and rural poverty areas

Fill in the percentage

STATES IN TIER 1 and TIER 2

TIER ONE

State Percent

New Mexico 18.3

Mississippi 17.8

Louisiana 16.9

Arkansas 15.8

Oklahoma 15.8

Kentucky 15.8

West Virginia 15.5

Alabama 14.8

District of Columbia 14.7

Texas 13.7

South Carolina 13.3

North Carolina 13.3

Florida 13.1

Georgia 13.0

Nevada 12.6

New York 12.4

Arizona 12.1

Michigan 11.7

United States 11.5

TIER TWO

Alaska 11.5

Missouri 11.5

Tennessee 11.4

Ohio 11.4

California 11.4

Indiana 10.9

Pennsylvania 10.8

Montana 10.7

Delaware 10.5

Hawaii 10.2

Connecticut 9.8

South Dakota 9.7

North Dakota 9.6

Oregon 9.5

Iowa 9.4

Illinois 9.4

Kansas 8.9

Maine 8.9

Idaho 8.9

Rhode Island 8.8

Wyoming 8.7

Virginia 8.6

Maryland 8.6

Massachusetts 8.6

Colorado 8.5

Vermont 8.4

Washington 8.3

New Jersey 8.2

Nebraska 8.1

Wisconsin 8.0

Minnesota 7.7

New Hampshire 7.1

Utah 7.1

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria

“Applications that fail to meet the responsiveness criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.”

Application Screening Criteria All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the three screening criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the following screening requirements:

1. Applications must be submitted electronically via https://www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, by the due date listed in section IV.3 Submission Dates and Times.

2. The Project Narrative section of the Application must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

http://www.grants.gov/

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 60 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 60 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 60 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 60-page limit.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from https://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an https://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the application deadline."

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package Application materials can be obtained from https://www.grants.gov or https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants.

Please note, ACL requires applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov in Workspace. Grants.gov Workspace is the standard way for organizations and individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. An overview and training on Grants.gov Workspace can be found here at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with https://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Eastern Time.

• At the https://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

• All applicants must have a UEI and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www.sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration.

This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at:

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf

• Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

• Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

1. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

2. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

3. Provide its UEI number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a UEI number at the time the subaward is made.

• The Federal Government will transition from the DUNS Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier. As of April of 2022, the federal government stopped using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in SAM.gov. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities.

• You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide. Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM.

Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

• After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from https://www.grants.gov that contains https://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form from https://www.grants.gov.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living

Pamela O'Brien Administration on Disabilities/Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Pamela.O'Brien@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Letter of Intent 11/21/2023 https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov

Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. Letters of intent should be sent to:

Applicants are not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this UCEDD five-year core grant funding opportunity.

Project Narrative The Project Narrative must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the Standard Forms and Sample Formats. The suggested length for the Project Narrative is 50 to 60 pages; 60pages is the maximum length allowed.

Project Narratives that exceed 60 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 60 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 60-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit. A new requirement for all Project Narratives is a section that explains the equity experience of the project team.

The sample components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 60 page limit include:

• Summary/Abstract

• Problem Statement

• Goal(s) and Objective(s)

• Proposed Intervention

• Special Target Populations and Organizations

• Outcomes

• Project Management

• Evaluation

• Dissemination

• Organizational Capability

• Equity Experience of Project Team

Below are the instructions for responding to this announcement that follow requirements set forth in the DD Act of 2000 with regard to the UCEDD program.

The application for core funding must describe a five-year plan for meeting the purpose of the DD Act of 2000.

The plan must outline a projected measurable goal for one or more area(s) of emphasis:

(quality assurance, education and early intervention, child care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, and other services available or offered to individuals in a community, including formal and informal community supports, that affect their quality of life) for each core function. The five-year plan must describe how the goals and the goal-related activities:

1. Are based on data-driven strategic planning;

2. Were developed in collaboration with the Consumer Advisory Committee;

3. Are consistent with, and to the extent feasible, complement and further the State Developmental Disabilities Council goals contained in the State Plan, the goals of the State Protection and Advocacy System, and the other UCEDD(s) in the State;

4. Will be reviewed and revised annually, as necessary, to address emerging trends and needs;

and

5. Will be implemented in a manner consistent with the objectives of the DD Act of 2000.

The five-year plan should include a description of how the core funding is used as a resource to support program infrastructure and how it will be utilized to leverage additional public and private funds to successfully achieve the projected goals developed in the five-year plan.

The five-year plan must describe how the applicant will carry out each of the following four UCEDD core functions:

Interdisciplinary Pre-service Preparation and Continuing Education includes preparation and continuing education of students and fellows representing leadership, direct service, clinical, or other personnel to strengthen and increase the capacity of States and communities.

Interdisciplinary Pre-service Preparation and Continuing Education is a formal training program that usually takes place in an academic setting or program and (a) leads to the award of an initial academic degree or certificate; (b) includes internship, practicum, fellowship, or residency activities; or (c) represents advancement in academic credentials through a course of study.

• UCEDDs must demonstrate in the application how they will promote recruitment efforts that increase the number of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds working with people with developmental disabilities and their families in disciplines related to pre-service training, community training, practice, administration, and policymaking.

• The application should describe the role of individuals with developmental disabilities and family members in the training program (e.g., serving as lead instructors, co-instructors, curriculum developers).

• The application should describe how the training program offers an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning, which may include the use of a core curriculum. At the very least the description should include an overview of the variety of disciplines represented in both the faculty and students, which may include:

Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Special Education Early Intervention

Community Development Transition / Special Education Audiology

Pediatrics Dentistry (Pediatric & Adult) Nursing

Law Health Administration Public Health

Medicine Nutrition Engineering

Behavioral Health Social Work Transportation

Psychology IT/Assistive/ Augmentative Technology Psychiatry

Speech and Language Development

Employment/ Post-Secondary Education

Occupational Therapy

Architecture Public Policy Recreation

Rehabilitation Therapy General Education Other

Community Services include the provision of training, technical assistance, and/or demonstration and model activities of services, supports and assistance for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, professionals, paraprofessionals, policy makers, students and other members of the community.

• Community services provide education & support activities so communities can be accessible and responsive to the needs of individuals with DD and their families.

Community services also work toward creating communities that are enriched by the full and active participation and contributions of Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in community activities.

• Community services promote the inclusion and integration of Individuals with DD and families in all aspects of community life through the delivery of programs, projects, activities and services in community-based settings rather than academic or traditional clinical settings.

• The provision of community services should ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and their families enjoy increased and meaningful opportunities to access and use community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance as other individuals with DD their families.

Research includes basic or applied research, evaluation, and the analysis of public policy in areas that affect or could affect, either positively or negatively, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

• To the extent possible, UCEDDs should seek to include people with developmental disabilities and their families, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse groups, as active participants in the research process thereby ensuring that these individuals and their families contribute to the development, design and implementation of research activities, as well as the dissemination of research information.

Information Dissemination includes the distribution of knowledge that demonstrates the UCEDD Network as a national and international resource with substantive areas of expertise that may be accessed and applied in diverse settings and circumstances. Respondents to this funding opportunity announcement must describe how they will comply with the accountability requirements outlined in the DD Act of 2000.The application must include a statement that the UCEDD will adhere to the requirements in the DD Act of 2000 for UCEDD.

Summary/Abstract This section should include a brief (265 words maximum) description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives, outcomes, and products to be developed. Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract.”

Problem Statement This section should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the particular problem or issue the proposed intervention is designed to address, including how the project will potentially affect older adults and /or people with disabilities, their families and caregivers and the health care and social services systems. Also note any major barriers you anticipate encountering, and how your project will be able to overcome those barriers. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships you plan to involve in implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and the Consumer Advisory Council.

Goals and Objectives This section should consist of a description of the project’s goal(s) and major objectives. Unless the project involves multiple, complex interventions, we recommend you have only one overall goal.

Proposed Intervention This section should provide a clear and concise description of the intervention (Approach) you are proposing to use to address the problem described in the “Problem Statement”. You should also describe the rationale for using the particular intervention including factors such as: “lessons learned” for similar projects previously tested in your community, or in the territories or other areas of the country; factors in the larger environment that have created the “right conditions” for the intervention (e.g., existing social or economic factors that you’ll be able to take advantage of, etc.). Also note any major barriers you anticipate encountering, and how your project will be able to overcome those barriers. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships you plan to involve in implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups, including the UCEDD’s consumer advisory council (CAC).

Special Target Populations and Organizations This section should describe how you plan to involve the other UCEDDs in your state, State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy Systems, Centers for Independent Living, Consumer Advisory Councils in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposed five-year strategic plan. This section should also describe, how the five-year strategic plan will target individuals with intellectual, developmental disabilities, other disabilities and their families across racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, including limited- English speaking populations, inclusive of those in unserved or underserved communities and in urban and rural areas. Applicants should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE: ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes). This section should also describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large, (e.g., how the findings could help other organizations throughout the nation to address the same or similar problems.) List measurable outcomes in the optional work plan grid (“Project Work Plan – Sample Template”) under “Measurable Outcomes” in addition to any discussion included in the narrative along with a description of how the project might benefit the field at large.

A “measurable outcome” is an observable end-result that describes how a particular intervention benefits consumers. It demonstrates the functional status, mental well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness or behavior.) It can also describe a change in the degree to which consumers exercise choice over the types of services they receive, or whether they are satisfied with the way a service is delivered. Additional examples include: a change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system; a new model of support or care that can be replicated in the ACL network; new knowledge that can contribute to the field of community living; a measurable increase in community awareness; or a measurable increase in persons receiving services. A measurable outcome is not a measurable “output”, such as: the number of clients served; the number of training sessions held; or the number of service units provided.

You should keep the focus of this section on describing what outcome(s) will be produced by the project. You should use the Evaluation section noted below to describe how the outcome(s) will be measured and reported.

Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited. It is totally appropriate for a project to have only ONE outcome that it is trying to achieve through the intervention reflected in the project's design.

Project Management This section should include a clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants and partner organizations, and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes. It should specify who would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as: leadership of project; monitoring the project’s on-going progress, (i.e., measure of performance towards the goals stated in the funding opportunity announcement and for your specific intervention/activities) preparation of reports; communications with other partners and ACL. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

Evaluation Evaluation or Project Impact should describe the method(s), techniques and tools that will be used to: 1) determine whether or not the proposed intervention achieved its anticipated outcome(s), and 2) document the “lessons learned” – both positive and negative - from the project that will be useful to people interested in replicating the intervention, if it proves successful. This section should provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and its results will be evaluated. In addressing the evaluation of results, state what measures will be used to determine the extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are being achieved.