The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support the creation and implementation of a comprehensive advocacy training program for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This initiative is aimed at promoting self-advocacy, participation, and inclusion across New York State. The selected grantee will develop separate training tracks for self-advocates and family members, ensuring tailored education and engagement opportunities. Additionally, the grantee will be responsible for establishing a statewide advocacy network to facilitate ongoing learning and coordination among stakeholders.

The total funding available is up to $250,000 annually for three years, with a total maximum allocation of $750,000. There is a potential extension for an additional two years, bringing the total possible funding to $1.25 million, contingent on the grantee’s performance in annual evaluations and the availability of funds. The contract term is set to begin on July 1, 2025, and will conclude on June 30, 2028, unless extended. The project will prioritize accessibility, cultural competency, and sustainability planning to ensure long-term impact.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public or private institutions such as universities, colleges, and hospitals, disability-service organizations, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and consortia or partnerships among such entities. Organizations must be prequalified vendors in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) before submitting a proposal. Proposals that do not meet the prequalification requirement by the submission deadline will be disqualified from further consideration.

The application process requires online submission through the SFS. Key deadlines include the release of the RFP on March 17, 2025, a question submission deadline on March 28, 2025, with responses posted by March 31, 2025. The final proposal submission deadline is April 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. The anticipated award announcement is scheduled for May 12, 2025, with contracts expected to start on July 1, 2025.

Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility criteria, programmatic review, and budget justification. The scoring rubric includes factors such as the strength of the proposed advocacy training, sustainability plan, external partnerships, and cost-effectiveness. Proposals must demonstrate clear alignment with the CDD’s mission, the ability to create an impactful advocacy training, and a feasible plan for developing a statewide network. Matching funds of at least 34% of the grant amount are required, and all non-federal funding sources must be clearly documented.

For further inquiries, applicants must contact the designated issuing officer, Kimberly Berg, via email at Kimberly.Berg@cdd.ny.gov or by phone at (518) 486-7505. Additional guidance, including registration in the SFS and compliance with state funding requirements, can be found at https://grantsmanagement.ny.gov/get-prequalified. Proposals must be submitted exclusively through the SFS, and late submissions will not be considered.