Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants

Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants: To enable individuals with developmental disabilities to become independent, productive, integrated and included into their communities. Funding under these programs is to assist States in

Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants: To enable individuals with developmental disabilities to become independent, productive, integrated and included into their communities. Funding under these programs is to assist States in the development of a plan for a comprehensive and coordinated system of services and other activities to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to their maximum potential, and to support a system which protects the legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.

State grant agencies are the designated State agencies of the respective States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa. Under the basic developmental disabilities program, the designated State agency must not provide or pay for services to individuals with developmental disabilities, unless it has held such designation on the date of the enactment of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 1994, and the Governor of the State (or the legislature, where appropriate and in accordance with State law) determines prior to June 30, 1994, not to change the designation of such agency. The State can only receive funding under the basic developmental disabilities program if it is also participating in the protection and advocacy program. The agency designated to implement the State system under the protection and advocacy program cannot provide or pay for services to individuals with developmental disabilities, and that agency must have authority to obtain access to records of individuals with developmental disabilities.

To be eligible for a grant, an agency must be designated to administer the program on behalf of the State. The Basic Program benefits individuals with developmental disabilities through systems change. The Protection and Advocacy system benefits individuals with developmental disabilities. Developmental disability is defined here as a severe chronic disability of an individual that is attributable to mental, physical, or a combination of impairments, is manifested before age 22, that is likely to continue indefinitely, that results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following major life activities (self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency), and that reflects an individual's lifelong need for services. Infants and children from birth to age 9, inclusive, are included if they have a developmental delay or condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided.

Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants: (1) Allotments under the basic developmental disabilities formula grant program may be used by States for priority area and other activities, including administrative costs, to build capacity, to refocus existing services, and to advocate to better meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. The designated State agency in each State receives, accounts for and disburses funds, and provides for required assurances and other administrative support services on behalf of the State Developmental Disabilities Council, which carries out the priority area activity and other activities under an approved five year State Plan. This plan and corresponding budget is developed and administered by the State Developmental Disabilities Council. Federal funds may be expended for up to half the cost of the functions of the designated State agency under this program, but may not exceed five percent of a State's allotment or $50,000, whichever is less. (2) Allotments under the protection and advocacy program may be used to assist States in supporting a system which will have authority to pursue legal and other remedies to protect the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities within the State.

Funds provided under allotments must be obligated by states by the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which appropriations were received. Such obligation must be liquidated by the end of the following fiscal year. Payments are made through Electronic Transfer System or, when such is not practicable, on basis of payment requests from the State to meet current needs.

Formula awards are processed through a payment management system to the State.

Automatic, under approved application.

Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR, Part 16.