Public Notice of Available Grant Funds

New Jersey Department of Human Services

HUMAN SERVICES

NEW JERSEY COMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Availability of Grant Funds

Title of Grant: Independent Living - Center Based Day Program for Older Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Take notice that, in compliance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-34.4, 34.5, and 34.6, the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) hereby announces the availability of the following grant program funds.

A. Name of program: Independent Living - Center Based Day Program for Older Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

B. Purpose: The purpose of this program is to create, develop and provide older adults, age 55 and above, who are blind or severely visually impaired with independent living skills in a time-limited group center-based day program in order for these individuals to continue living in their own homes with the maximum degree of personal independence.

The program is designed to meet the needs of seniors who need ongoing instruction and intensive reinforcement within a limited timeframe to master daily living skills. Four core areas are stressed: Activities of Daily Living Skills, Communication Skills, Orientation and Mobility and use of low and high technology assistive devices. Each participant will receive an intake/performance evaluation/assessment and be provided with information and referral material.

Each participant will have an independent living plan designed based on specific goals and outcomes consistent with the individual’s abilities, capabilities and needs. The training will be conducted in a group setting where staff and the other group participants will provide reinforcement and encouragement. Transportation to and from the program for program participants is the responsibility of the contracted provider agency.

Each contracted provider agency will provide two training programs during the term of the contract period, with each contractor serving a total of 24 people. Interaction with community services, volunteers, and other compatible community based organizations is encouraged.

C. Amount of available funding for the program: $180,000 total for one year is available through Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The monies will be divided among three organizations- one serving the Northern part of the State ($60,000), one serving the Central region ($60,000), and the other the Southern part of the State ($60,000. Each contracted provider agency will serve one area of the State that correlates with the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired regional office service areas: the Southern Regional Office, Cherry Hill; the Central Regional Office, Toms River and the Northern Regional Office, Newark. An applicant may apply to serve more than one region. . All expenses must be incurred by September 30, 2011. This contract is for one year only and no successor contracts are anticipated.

D. Organizations which may apply for funding under this program: Not-for-profit corporations, organizations, associations, centers and agencies that are registered in and conduct business within the State of New Jersey and whose primary focus is the implementation of programs that address the needs of people with disabilities and can demonstrate an ability to provide the required services as outlined in this document to ensure that the goals of the RFP are met. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

E. Qualifications needed by an applicant to be considered for funding:

·  Experience providing services to older adults, those with disabilities, and those with vision impairments

·  Access to and familiar with services for seniors in the counties to be served as shown in the RFP

·  Ability to arrange and provide transportation for program participants

·  Ability to interact and work closely with CBVI

·  Ability to provide the proposed services to the target population including satisfactory past history, adequate resources, and qualifications of staff

F. Procedure for eligible organizations to apply: A Request for Proposal is available and can be obtained by calling (973) 648-7924 or (973) 648-3333 or picked up in person at the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired office, 153 Halsey Street, 6th floor, Newark, NJ 07101. Applicants can also download the RFP from the DHS website at: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/providers/grants/

G. Address to which applications must be submitted:

Lorraine Clark,

New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired,

153 Halsey Street,

PO Box 47017,

Newark New Jersey 07101

Or if by hand to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Office on the 6th floor at 153 Halsey Street, Newark NJ 07101

No emails or facsimiles will be accepted

H. Mandatory technical assistance workshop: Interested organizations must attend a mandatory technical assistance workshop to be held on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at the CBVI Newark Office. You must register in advance for the workshop by calling Lorraine Clark at (973) 648-7924 or (973) 648-3333.

I. Deadline by which applications must be submitted: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 by 3:00 pm. After this date and time no applications will be accepted

J. Date the applicant is to be notified of acceptance or rejection: September 17, 2010

______Date:______

Jennifer Velez, Commissioner,

Department of Human Services