Notice of Funds Available (RFP) Print Apply for this Grant

Specifications

Posted	Applications Due	Start Date	End Date	Amount	Match	Poverty Match	Council Staff
	Nov 02, 2018	Apr 01, 2019	Mar 31, 2022	$100,000.00	$33,333.00	$11,111.00	Danny Fikac

Introduction

The goal of the Sexual Health Education project is to support the sexual health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Texas through training and/or educational opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), families, providers, and other allies. At least five training and/or educational opportunities will be held in multiple locations throughout Texas over the course of the three years. TCDD may award a maximum of $100,000 per year for one project, for up to three years. TCDD will negotiate the budget as needed and may choose not to award funding for these projects.

TCDD does not plan to provide funding for these projects beyond three years. TCDD does not automatically continue funding each year and may terminate funds prior to the end date in this RFP.

If you have questions after reading this RFP, contact Danny Fikac, Planning Specialist, at Danny.Fikac@tcdd.texas.gov or at 512-437-5415.

Who May Apply

Any organization that meets the requirements set forth in this RFP can apply. Types of organizations could include:

• government agencies,
• nonprofits,
• colleges and universities,
• faith-based institutions,
• technical and/or professional schools, and
• for profit businesses.

The organization that applies for this grant must administer the grant and receive, disburse and account for grant funds.

Individuals may not apply for this grant.

Important Dates

Informational Conference Call: October 15, 2018

TCDD will hold an informational conference call to provide more information about TCDD's processes for proposal review and grant award. You are not required to attend in order to apply.

The informational conference call will be held: October 15, 2018 at 1:00 PM CST. To participate:

• Phone number: 1-877-820-7831
• Participant passcode: 649944#

Deadline to Submit Questions: October 18, 2018

Submit all questions about the RFP or application to Danny.Fikac@tcdd.texas.gov by 5:00 PM Central Time on October 18, 2018. TCDD will not answer questions about the RFP or application after that date and time. TCDD will post questions and answers on DD Suite as an attachment to this RFP by 5:00 PM Central Time October 18, 2018.

Deadline to Submit a Proposal: November 2, 2018

Proposals must be received by 5 PM Central Time on November 2, 2018. TCDD does not consider late applications under any circumstances, including user error. If you have questions about DD Suite and cannot find answers in the DD Suite Guide attached to this RFP, email Danny.Fikac@TCDD.Texas.Gov or call 512-437-5415. This should be done as early in the process as possible.

Award Notification: February 28, 2019

TCDD will notify proposers about funding decisions by February 28, 2019.

How to Apply

To have your application considered, complete the steps listed below by the due date. Applications and all associated documents must be submitted via DD Suite. Documents received by fax, email, hand delivery, or mail will not be accepted. Applications that do not include the items listed below, or that include incomplete items, will not be considered.

1. Complete all required sections of the application in DD Suite.
2. Complete all sections of the Supplemental Forms packet. The Supplemental Forms packet is attached to this RFP. This information will include all sections of the budget and all sections of the budget justification. The budget justification section must be detailed enough to show how calculations were made. Any zeros in the Fringe Benefits Section must be explained in the budget justification.
3. Sign each document where indicated.
4. Upload the Supplemental Forms packet. Upload the Supplemental Forms packet and other required documents to DD Suite as attachments to your proposal by the due date.
5. Upload Letters of Support. If you have Letters of Support or letters from other entities or individuals that state they will partner with you on the project, upload them to DD Suite as an attachment to your application.
6. Submit all attachments through DD Suite by the due date and time.

Background

When it comes to being in loving relationships, dating, and/or getting married, most people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the same desires as people who don’t have I/DD. However, there is not always support for people with I/DD to be in or to understand the dynamics of healthy romantic relationships. There may be even less support or fewer opportunities for people with I/DD to learn about sexual health. Some family members have shared that they don’t feel comfortable talking to their family members who have developmental disabilities about sexual health. Some providers are unsure about the most appropriate way to address sexual health in a manner that promotes self-determination and independence. Consequently, people with I/DD may not have had support to know about the appropriate names of all body parts and how they function; what people experience as they go through puberty; medical concerns related to having a healthy reproductive system and preventing or managing disease; one’s own values, family values, and cultural values related to sexuality; gender identity; sexual orientation; what might be considered in making the decision to be intimate with another; what is considered a healthy relationship; what constitutes assault and what actions to take if one has been sexually assaulted; and other aspects of sexual health.

Other organizations, including Developmental Disabilities Councils in other states, have worked to provide education to people with I/DD, families of people with I/DD, and allies about sexual health. Some opportunities and educational events took a conference format; some provided training and facilitated conversations in small groups; and others took a “train the trainer” strategy. Some have combined these approaches. For example, the Michigan Council held a three-day event. The event included two days of training for teams who could provide training to others (a “train the trainer” model). On the third day, they held a summit for a larger audience. During the two-day training, teams made up of an individual with I/DD and an ally were taught to provide training on sexual health. The teams came from around the state and returned to their homes able to provide training to others in their local area. Many of the team members who had I/DD were certified peer mentors employed by local centers to provide services and supports that were reimbursable by Medicaid. The one-day summit included information, discussion, and a chance for self-advocates to share messages they had received about sexual health. People participated in activities like as a “gallery stroll" of posters with statistics, pictures and photographs. Following the gallery stroll, they had an open conversation about their emotional reactions, thoughts and questions related to what they had read and seen.

Project Description and Milestones

You will hold at least five training and/or educational opportunities in multiple areas of the state. The training and/or educational opportunities will:

• teach participants about sexual health using an evidence informed model or models;
• ensure that people have the support they need to participate fully;
• provide time for interaction and discussion;
• reflect self-determination, support for families, and respect for cultural values in all activities; and
• reflect evidence-informed practices.

Prior to implementing the first event, the person providing the training must provide evidence of a deep understanding of sexual health education for people with I/DD. Evidence could include proof of timely training or experience providing and evidence-based sexual health education to individuals with developmental disabilities. You may use an existing curriculum may be used or a new one that has been approved by TCDD.

The majority of funds are expected to be used to support the training and/or educational opportunities and to ensure that individuals providing the training and facilitating activities are highly qualified. Travel stipends should be available for individuals with I/DD if necessary to attend.

Outputs and Outcomes

You must:

• hold at least five training and/or educational opportunities as described above in multiple locations across the state throughout the grant;
• ensure that individuals with I/DD, family members, providers, and allies develop their understanding of the many facets of sexual health; and
• submit reports after each training describing the training and/or educational opportunities, the number and demographic breakdown of participants, and the participants’ responses to the event; and
• submit a final report that includes recommendations for future training and/or educational opportunities.

Match

Grantees must provide a matching contribution each year. This may include:

• funding from non-federal sources,
• volunteer hours, or
• other "in- kind" donations, such as office space and utilities.

Other federal funds may not be used as match. Items or funds that are used for match for another federally-funded project may not be used as match. TCDD prefers that the amount of match increase each year of the project.

Match Amount: The front page of this RFP provides the amount of match expected for non-poverty counties and for poverty counties if you request the full amount. Requesting less than the full amount will reduce the amount of match you must provide.

Poverty counties are counties in which at least 20 percent of the people in the county live in poverty. The attachments to this RFP includes a list of counties that has poverty counties highlighted.

• Non-poverty counties: Project activities located in counties not designated as federal poverty areas require matching resources equal to at least 25 percent of total project costs.
• Poverty counties: Project activities located in counties designated as federal poverty counties require matching resources equal to at least 10 percent of the total project costs.

The Review Process

Your proposal will be reviewed based only on what is in your:

• application,
• supplemental forms,
• workplan,
• other required attachments, and
• optional letters of support and/or letters from organizations committing to partnering with you.

You will not have the opportunity to provide additional information or to clarify questions about your proposal following submission.

Step 1: Staff Review

TCDD staff review proposals upon submission for compliance with the requirements of the RFP and ensure that all sections are complete. Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the requirements of the RFP will not be considered.

Step 2: Independent Review Panel Review

Proposals that meet the initial requirements will be reviewed by an Independent Review Panel consisting of three to five people with expertise related to the RFP. The panel’s review focuses on the quality of the proposed plan, the feasibility of completing the plan, and how well the proposed project may move TCDD closer to meeting the TCDD State Plan Goals and Objectives. The panel will consider only the information specifically allowed by the RFP and the application instructions. The panel also considers only the information included in the submitted proposal.

Step 3: Executive Committee Review and Decision

The TCDD Executive Committee reviews the above information and makes the final funding decisions. If you have received a grant in the last five years, staff document your performance on that project and provide that to the Executive Committee.

TCDD may give priority to proposals that address the needs of people who are unserved or underserved. This may include, but is not limited to:

• people living in rural areas,
• people living in poverty,
• people of color, and
• people with limited English proficiency.

Continuation Funding

Organizations that are awarded funding must apply for continuation funding each year. Continuation funding will not exceed the maximum per-year funding amount stated in the RFP. Continuation funding is based on the availability of TCDD funds and a review of:

• the project's accomplishments,
• progress toward stated goals and objectives,
• management of funds,
• compliance with reporting requirements,
• the most recent program audit,
• findings of TCDD's onsite reviews, if conducted, and
• development of methods through which sustainability will be achieved.

Continuation funding is not automatic and TCDD may choose not to award continuation grants. Continuation proposals are generally due approximately three months before the end of the grant year.

Expectations of All Grantees

Reporting: You must submit progress reports quarterly. You must submit financial documents, including reimbursement requests, at least quarterly. You must also provide required evaluation data, annual continuation proposals, and a final report. Failure to meet reporting and spending requirements may impact continuation or future grant awards.

Continuation proposals: You may be asked to provide information about public policy implications and sustainability in your application for continuation funding.

Advisory committee: You may be asked to develop an advisory committee.

TCDD support: TCDD will serve as a resource to support grantees to be successful. You may be asked to participate in grants management training throughout the project period. You may also expect calls from TCDD staff about outcome and performance measures, public policy issues that relate to your project, products produced, and project events (if applicable). You may be asked to present their progress at quarterly Council meetings. TCDD may share opportunities for you to present at state and/or national conferences.

Terms

Applicants must agree to the following terms:

• Applicants must disclose any conflicts of interest between themselves and TCDD Council members, employees, or their immediate families.
• Applicants must use People First Language or Identity-First Language (where appropriate) in all materials.
• All printed materials must be available in Spanish and in an appropriate accessible format — including digital, tagged PDF, or large print. Funding for this should be included in the budget.
• Videos, DVDs and teleconferencing and distance learning activities produced by this project must be fully accessible. Any videos or DVDs must be captioned.
• TCDD will retain the rights to all products created using funding awarded through this RFP. The grantee will retain rights to materials that were created prior to receiving the grant and the rights to materials created without using funds that are associated with this project.
• Proposals received by TCDD are subject to release consistent with provisions of the Texas Public Information Act.

See "Assurances" in the attached Supplemental Forms for all terms relating to this grant.