Small Grants for Community Projects

Committed to Dignity, Full Rights of Citizenship, Equal Opportunities, and Full Participation for all NH Citizens with Developmental Disabilities

Small Grants for Community Projects

and Educational Programs

The Council provides grants of up to $1000 to support community projects or educational programs that help achieve goals and objectives in the Council’s five-year plan.

·  Grants requests are usually considered 6 times a year by the Council's Program and Planning committee, subject to available funds. Applicants may check the Council's web site or contact the Council office for the meeting schedule. Applications should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the meeting event date.

·  All grant proposals must help achieve one or more goals and objectives in the Council's five-year plan, which must be identified in the application.

·  Only fully completed applications will be reviewed by the committee. Incomplete requests will be returned.

·  The Council may identify the goals and objectives in its plan that are of highest priority and give preference or limit consideration to applications for projects that address those goals and objectives.

·  Applications must include all information requested on the application form in order to be considered.

·  Preference is given to projects with the following characteristics:

o  People with disabilities are developing leadership and advocacy skill.

o  People with disabilities are exercising personal choice and desire to take part in activity.

o  People with and without disabilities are engaged in activities together in integrated settings.

o  People with disabilities play a significant role in the planning of the project.

o  A plan is in place to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of the project and the applicant is willing to share the results with the Council.

o  The project does not have other sources of funding available that are sufficient to carry out the project.

·  Funding cannot be provided for projects that carry out a function that is an obligation of local, state or federal government (including the school system), Area Agencies or other publicly-funded entities.

·  Funds may be provided on either a grant or reimbursement only basis.

Examples of Community Projects that the Council could support:

·  A group of families create a cooperative respite program and/or database of respite providers available in their community.

·  Planning and organizing a monthly community game night designed to include people of all ages and abilities.

·  A small team of consultants, including volunteers with disabilities, provides technical assistance to camps and recreation facilities wishing to improve accessibility and better accommodate people with disabilities.

·  A “train the trainer” event for experienced self-advocates who wish to teach self-advocacy skills to others, featuring a nationally recognized trainer and curriculum.

·  A workshop on early intervention services to take place during a statewide conference for pediatricians

·  A training to educate parents of transitioning youth about available resources and how to access them.

·  A project provides technical assistance to people with disabilities interested in developing and managing inclusive cooperative housing alternatives.

·  A group of film students create short video vignettes featuring people with disabilities of various ages engaged in different aspects of community life, to be aired on local access cable TV stations to promote greater understanding and positive images of people with disabilities.

NOTE: The Council will generally not support social or recreational activities where people with disabilities are isolated or segregated from the broader community or their typically developing peers. This includes projects in which typically developing peers act as “helpers” or have a different status or role than people with disabilities, or activities in which people with disabilities participate in a community-wide activity but are part of a distinct sub-group that is separated or treated differently from the general population.

CONDITIONS OF RECEIVING GRANT FUNDS. Small grants are funded through federal funds provided through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. 42 USC 15001 et seq., and are subject to all requirements of that Act. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in forfeiture of funds and the applicant being required to returning any funds received.

1)  IMPORTANT: A written report on grant activities and outcomes is required upon project completion and at the end of each federal fiscal year (September 30th) until the project is completed. The report must describe project activities and outcomes in their entirety, and not be limited to components paid for with Council funds. Applicants are asked to review the reporting form (available on the Council’s web site) and ask any questions prior to accepting funds. For agency applicants, the Agency Director, President or CEO is responsible for assuring that the report is completed in the event the project manager leaves the agency.

2)  Grantees are required to forward the Council’s annual satisfaction survey, available in either electronic or paper format, to everyone who participated in or was otherwise impacted by the project. A link to the survey can be found at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nhcdd-generalsurvey2016

3)  The following language, recognizing the Council’s sponsorship, must be included in all project materials and publicity:

FUNDED BY THE NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES UNDER THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT.

4)  The Council retains a royaltyfree, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, use, or authorize others to use any materials developed as a result of the project for Federal and State Government purposes,

5)  The Council may publicize the awarding of the grant through press releases and other available media.

6)  Grantees are required to keep financial records and records verifying the basis of numbers reported for performance measures for at least three years following the conclusion of the grant and provide them upon request.

New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities

Small Project Grant Application

Name of Applicant (For groups please identify a contact person):

______

______

Tax ID # ______

Address: ______

______

______

______

Phone: ______

E-Mail: ______

Amount Requested: ______

Project: ______

HELP IS AVAILABLE. If you have questions or need assistance with your application, please contact the Executive Director at 271-1157 or Administrative Assistant at 271-7039.

Please answer the following questions. Please attach additional pages if you need more space to answer any of the questions.

1. Description of Applicant.

A. Are you applying for a (check one):

□ Community Project

□ Educational Program

B. Please provide a brief description of your group (if applicable), including whether any of the members have developmental disabilities.

______

C. If you are an individual, please describe your background and interest in developmental disabilities, including whether you have a developmental disability.

______

2. Please describe the project for which funding is being requested.

______

3. Describe in detail the activities that would be funded by this grant.

What specific activities will you do?

·  ______

·  ______

·  ______

·  ______

Who will be involved (include any other people or groups)?

______

What are your timelines?

______

4. Please describe whether and how people with disabilities will be included in the planning and implementation of the project:

______

5. All projects supported by the Council must help achieve one or more goals in the Council's Five-Year strategic plan. Please identify the goal(s) and objective(s) that the project will support and briefly explain how the project will support them. (The goals and objectives are on the last page of this application form). Please choose no more than two goals.

Applicable Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1 ____ Applicable Objective (s): ______

Goal 2 ____ Applicable Objective (s): ______

Goal 3 ____ Applicable Objective (s): ______

Goal 4 ____ Applicable Objective (s): ______

How will the project achieve the goals and objectives identified above?

______

______

______

6. What results do you expect that will impact the lives of those with developmental disabilities in New Hampshire, their families or the community? (Please be as specific as possible).

______

______

______

______

OUTCOME MEASURES

The Council is required to report to the federal government the outcomes of all of the projects it supports using the following measures. Please identify which of these measures you expect will be applicable to your project, and what you estimate the numbers will be.

The Council supports many different types of initiatives, so some of the questions may not be applicable to your project, however it is expected that all projects will have some reportable outcome(s).

Education and Training

Will your project educate or train people? Yes/ No

Number of people who will receive education or training (identifying, if possible, the number of people with disabilities and family members). _____

Coalition Building, Leadership Development and Advocacy

Will your project involve training people in leadership or advocacy skills, or involve people in systems advocacy, which refers to the process of supporting changes in policies, rules or laws to improve supports, services or quality of life for people with disabilities? Yes/ No

If yes, please estimate the following numbers (identifying, if possible, of the number of people with disabilities and family members):

Number of people who will be trained in leadership, self-advocacy and self-determination _____

Number of people who will be trained in systems advocacy _____

Number of people who will be active in systems advocacy _____

Number of people who are expected to attain membership on public/private bodies and leadership coalitions _____

Number of programs/policies that are expected to be created or improved _____

Number of organizations that will be involved in coalitions, networks or partnerships _____

Number of organizations that will be engaged in systems change efforts _____

Public Education and Outreach

Will your project involve educating policymakers or raising public awareness about issues important to children or adults with disabilities? (“Policymakers” refer to any officials at the State, regional/county or local levels whose positions enable them to change programs for the better).

Yes/ No

If applicable, please provide or estimate the following numbers.

Number of Public policymakers expected to be educated _____

Members of general public likely to be reached (through any form of communication or media) _____

Please identify any other outcomes you anticipate from your project:

______

______

______

Explanation/ additional information about any of the above performance measures:

______

7. Will the knowledge gained from the project be further shared or disseminated? If so, how?

______

8. If the grant is awarded, will you commit to disseminate the Council’s annual satisfaction survey to your staff and all project participants?

Yes/ No

9. Is there a plan in place to evaluate the short or long-term impacts of the project? If so, please describe the evaluation plan and indicate whether you are willing to share the results with the Council.

______

______

10. Please attach any paperwork you have on the project. (Brochure, flyer existing letters of support, etc.)

Please give a breakdown of expenses related to the project. (In general small grant funds may not be used to pay agency overhead costs such as office rent or salaries or to support the ongoing operations of an agency).

EXPENSES
(Please list or describe) / Amount Requested from Council / Other funds
(What you can contribute, including funds from other sources) / TOTAL COSTS
TOTALS:

What is the total cost of the project?

How much of the total cost will you be paying?
Have you requested assistance from other sources?
Other funding source(s) Amount Requested Status
I have read and accept the conditions set forth on page 4 if I am awarded a grant.
______
Signature of Applicant/ Project Manager Date
______
Agency Director/ President/ CEO* Date
* Signature required – See page 4.

Please send your application to:

ATTN: Small Grants

NH Council on Developmental Disabilities

2 ½ Beacon Street, Suite 10

Concord, NH 03301-4447

Telephone: (603) 271-3236

FAX: (603) 271-1156

Email:

* GETTING HELP *

If you have questions or need assistance on your application, please contact the Executive Director at 271-1157 or Administrative Assistant at 271-7039.

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GOALS /

OBJECTIVES

Goal 1. Children’s Issues: Children, youth and families who experience developmental disabilities will receive timely quality supports and services in inclusive and welcoming environments that enable them to reach their potential in their community.
Goal 1 (Continued) / Objective 1. In collaboration with the local University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and the Disability Rights Center (DRC), New Hampshire State laws, policies and practices will be strengthened to better support children and their families with developmental disabilities in the areas of early supports and services, education including transition to adult, health and social relations, through:
(1)  building relationships with policymakers and engaging in legislative and administrative advocacy and,
(2)  empowering, supporting and engaging in promising initiatives and training families, guardians, self-advocates and professionals in best and/or promising practices to become stronger advocates supporting them to influence policy.
Activities:
(1)  With key partners, including the Institute on Disability (UCEDD), the Disability Rights Center monitor and analyze state and federal budgets to quantify the impact of the state budget on children with developmental disabilities in order to develop strategies that diminish these.
(2)  Collaborate with the New Hampshire Children’s Action Network, the Parent Information Center, New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Institute on Disability, Disability Rights Center, and other key organizations to develop strategies on issues of common concern.
(3)  Support individuals advocates to monitor State Legislation that could impact children with disabilities to be able to provide meaningful feedback to legislators on its potential effects.