Notice of Funds Available (RFP)

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
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2018-12:  Advanced Leadership Training for Professionals

Specifications

Posted Applications Due Start Date End Date Amount MatchPoverty Match Council Staff
Nov 02, 2018 Apr 01, 2019 Mar 31, 2024 $150,000.00 $50,000.00$16,666.00 Danny Fikac

Introduction

The goal of the Advanced Leadership Training for Professionals project is to develop the next generation of leaders who work in the fields that serve or fund services for people with developmental disabilities. The professionals who participate in the program will gain knowledge and develop skills so they can positively impact the services and supports systems used by Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). TCDD may award a maximum of $150,000 per year for one project, for up to five years. TCDD will negotiate the budget as needed and may choose not to award funding for this RFP.

TCDD does not plan to provide funding for these projects beyond five 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 10:00AM 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 22, 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

The demographic trends related to the current and future availability of informed and effective leaders in the developmental disability field are troublesome. In the next 5 years, some agencies expect an exit of over 60% of its organizational leadership in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) field.

Agencies providing services to people with developmental disabilities could benefit from engaging in activities to actively identify and train potential new leaders from within their ranks and/or support and develop management teams to become more effective I/DD leaders in the future. The Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) has noted a significant gap at the executive level in training programs on leadership and management in the I/DD field.

The long-term system of services and supports is complex and the rules change frequently. Similarly, there are many best practices for promoting self-determination among individuals with I/DD. Thus, ongoing continuing education and training is essential for leaders in this field. The role of such advanced training programs is to foster an organizational culture that promotes innovation and measurable outcomes within agency programs and ensures that services and supports delivered to individuals with I/DD and families best meets their needs. Agencies who participate in this type of initiative demonstrate a commitment to their own workforce and to the inclusion of individuals with I/DD in their communities.


Project Description and Milestones

Emerging and existing leaders from the disability community, as well as professionals from non-disability organizations what support or pay for services that support people with disabilities will be selected to participate in the program. The training curriculum must include the following components:

  • History and current I/DD service delivery system in Texas
  • Principles of self-determination and person-directed practices
  • Public policy issues that impact the delivery of services and supports for individuals with I/DD
  • Promoting positive values and a culture of acceptance for individuals with I/DD
  • Individual leadership principles
  • Creating networks within and across agencies and organizations to support individuals with I/DD

Training may be delivered using existing programs or by developing new curriculum. The program must include leadership development, mentorship, peer support, individual education, and projects that promote systems change. Participants who complete the program will commit to increasing and improving training for others in their own organization.


Outputs and Outcomes

TCDD expects your project to support emerging and existing professionals who work in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities so they develop advanced knowledge and skills needed to have significant impact on the way Texas supports individuals with I/DD. You will conduct follow-up to show that the professionals trained through this project became part of a pool of knowledgeable leaders who:

  • Improved their skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities to impact meaningful changes in their organization and/or across the state;
  • Increased their commitment to self-direction and full participation of individuals with I/DD;
  • Improved the effectiveness and integration in the delivery of services and supports;
  • Better communicated with other key decision-makers at the state and local levels;
  • Developed their understanding and support of policy that will promote quality of life for Texans with developmental disabilities; and
  • Shared knowledge of I/DD services and supports with other staff and future leaders;
  • Improved their ability to support individuals with developmental disabilities and family members to serve on inter-organizational councils and task-forces.

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 be disqualified.

    Step 2: Independent Review Panel Review

    Proposals that meet the 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 applicationl.

    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.