Summary of Grant Projects 
funded in response to the Council’s Request for Proposals entitled 
“Implementation of Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council 
Five-Year Plan 2007-2011”

Access and Ability, located in Weld County, was granted funding for its project, Full Access for All Abilities.  Access and Ability will provide training and advocacy services to students and young adults with developmental disabilities and their family members and to community-based organizations.  The project will be specifically directed toward Spanish speaking students and students with developmental disabilities who need behavioral supports.  Additionally, the project will result in the development of a database that will track and identify barriers to participation by people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life.

CAPRA, the Colorado Association of Private Resource Agencies, was granted funding to carry out the Good to Great project.  CAPRA will provide Essential Lifestyle Planning trainings to people with developmental disabilities, their family members and related staff, including members of Alliance (a Community Centered Boards Association and associated service agencies) and Wheat Ridge Regional Center with the result being changes in organizational and systemic policies and practices.

EACH Update

The EACH (Education and Advocacy Cash) fund has been discontinued.  It has been difficult for many individuals and families to spend the money up front and then wait for reimbursement through EACH. Also, it is not cost-effective to process the reimbursement of small amounts to a number of EACH recipients each month.

In place of EACH, we are now funding seven groups who will grant scholarships to individuals.  The groups will be reimbursed for the scholarships following the event or conference. The following groups currently function within the Council’s Five Year Plan as well as dovetail with our values and mission.  Please contact these groups if you are interested in receiving a scholarship to attend their events:

•  APSE – The Network on Employment, annual conference in September, contact Gayann Brandenburg (303) 636-5600.  Website: www.denveroptions.org
  

•   Inclusion Conference – annual conference on inclusive education in January, contact PEAK Parent Center, 1-800-284-0251.  Website:  www.peakparent.org
  

•    EMPOWER/CO. –group meetings statewide for families impacted by mental health issues, contact Lorri Park (303) 691-9339.  Website: www.cpco.org
  

•   Assistive Technology Conference – annual conference on assistive technology in June, contact Kathy Bodine or Julia Beems (303) 315-1280. Website: http://www.uchsc.edu/atp/conf2006/conf2006main.htm
  

•   ADAPT/Atlantis – Civil disobedience actions around the country regarding institutionalization and MiCASSA legislation, contact Babs Johnson (303) 733-9324.  Website: www.adapt.org
  

•   Training for Transition –ongoing training for families/students ages 14 and up, contact Lynn Robinson at Colorado Easter Seals (303) 233-1666.  Website: http://co.easterseals.com
  

•    El Grupo Vida – Annual conference for Spanish speaking families in October, contact El Grupo Vida 303-904-6073. Website: www.elgrupovida.org 
  

How to Apply for Grants from the 
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council

In order to fund innovative projects that address the mission of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC), the Council grants money through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

RFP’s focus the Council’s funding efforts on achieving specific outcomes in the Federal Five-Year Plan priority areas (see a summary of the Goals and Objectives for the priority areas).  

RFP process

The majority of the Council’s funds available for grants are distributed through an informal Request for Proposals process.  The Council will release announcements requesting proposals to respond to specific priorities or initiatives to achieve specific outcomes.

The RFP process begins at the committee level, with a committee recommendation as to the scope of work and money to be granted for a given project.  Check the Council’s and its Committee’s goals and objectives if you are interested in talking with a particular committee about a project concept.

An RFP, a Request for Proposals, whether formal or informal, reflects very specific ideas for a project that a committee would like to see implemented.  The Council will be very specific about the areas to be addressed, methodologies, deadlines, desired outcomes and funding levels.

More formal RFP’s are issued for projects over $150,000.  The Council works with the Office of Procurement for the Department of Human Services to convene a committee of Council and community members that evaluates all of the proposals and decides which proposals to fund.

If you are interested in responding to this RFP, you must register with the State of Colorado.  Check the State website at website at http://www.gssa.state.co.us/ or call the help desk at (303) 894-2039 for general questions about the BIDS system, and technical assistance.   To register with BIDS, vendors must download the forms from the website or visit the State Purchasing Office.  Vendors must complete and sign a form, complete and sign a W-9 form for Federal Income Tax purposes, and submit a check payable to the State of Colorado for $40.00.  The annual fee of $40.00 allows the vendor to download solicitation specifications and to bid on State business requirements at any State of Colorado agency, including institutions of higher education, for one (1) year.

You may access the Internet from your own computer at your convenience, or use a computer with Internet access at any public library.  Be sure to check the website often for any changes that may be made to the original solicitation document.  Contact the Purchasing Agent listed on each solicitation with specific questions about the project in which you are interested.

Whether the Council issues a formal or an informal RFP, a committee that includes at least three Council members and two community members reviews the proposals.  Once the proposal review committee selects one or more proposals to be recommended to the Council, the Council votes whether or not to fund the proposals.