Notice of Funds Available (RFP)

Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council
This notice is not publicly posted.
The application deadline for this notice has expired.
This notice may have expired - the project end date has already passed.

HCL 01.2020:  Criminal Justice System Flowchart

Specifications

Posted Applications Due Start Date End Date Amount MatchPoverty Match Council Staff
May 01, 2020 Jun 01, 2020 May 31, 2021 $45,000.00 $14,985.00$0.00 Emily Hartley

Introduction

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) has approved funding for a one-year project. This project will lead to the development of a flowchart and educational materials which explain the complex system of reporting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes, involving vulnerable adults, including but not limited to those with I/DD, and the development of a plan for distribution.

If you have questions after reading this Notice of Funding Available, contact Emily Hartley, Program Coordinator, at ehartley@moddcouncil.org or (314) 340-7411.

About MODDC

MODDC is an independent entity that is funded by the federal Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act 2000 (DD Act). Individuals may read more about AIDD and the DD Act at: https://acl.gov/Programs/AIDD/index.aspx

The Council’s Mission is:

“To assist individuals, families, and the community to include all people with developmental disabilities in every aspect of life.”

The Council believes that mission will be achieved when people with developmental disabilities: make informed choices about where they live, work, plan, and worship; receive individual and family supports which are flexible, based on need, and provided in a culturally sensitive manner; have the opportunity to engage in productive employment and meaningful retirement; experience continued growth toward their full potential; live in homes in the community with the availability of individualized supports; are treated with dignity and respect; attend neighborhood schools with their peers in regular classrooms, and are members of powerful advocacy networks made up of individuals and parents and family members.

The Council also believes that individuals, parents, and family members are the most powerful forces in forging a responsive and flexible support network for people with developmental disabilities.

MODDC develops a five-year state plan that includes goals and objectives. The goals and objectives re the steps MODDC plans to take to create change. MODDC awards grants to organizations sharing MODDC’s vision and values for projects that are consistent with the Goals and Objectives in the Five Year State Plan.

Read more about MODDC, MODDC’s mission and values, and the Five Year State Plan, at www.moddcouncil.org

Federal Definition of Developmental Disabilities

The term “developmental disability’ means a severe, chronic disability of a person which:

A. Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
B. Is manifested before the person attains age 22;
C. Is likely to continue indefinitely;
D. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
(i) Self-care, (ii) Receptive and Expressive language, (iii) Learning, (iv) Mobility, (v) Self-Direction, (vi) Capacity for Independent Living, and (vii) Economic Self-Sufficiency; and
E. Reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of life long or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

Relationship to MODDC State Plan Goals

MODDC expects this project to help MODDC meet the following MODDC FY 2017-2021 State Plan:

COMMUNITY LIVING GOAL: People with I/DD have the freedom to live the life they choose in their community in the most integrated and safe setting possible with the supports they need.

Objective 1: By September 30, 2021, improve the health, security, and safety of individual with I/DD by implementing at least three (3) recommendations of the MODDC's Victimization Task Force.

Purpose

The Victimization Task Force (VTF) created several recommendations in 2017 at the request of MODDC. In December 2019 the Home and Community Living committee asked the VTF to prioritize their recommendation list. The development of a flowchart, similar to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Criminal System flowchart was identified as a top priority.

Missouri’s mandated reporting system through Adult Protective Services (APS) is very complex and difficult to navigate. Advocates, family members, mandated reporters and professionals report that the system of reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation against a victim with disabilities is often times met with system gaps. These gaps create barriers for ensuring the safety of individuals and accountability of perpetrators.

Similar to that of the BJS Criminal Justice System flowchart, the Home and Community Living committee recommends the creation of a visual graphic that follows Missouri’s criminal justice system. This project will also provide parallel information following three Missouri abuse/neglect/exploitation report intake entities: Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) APS mandated reporting system, Department of Mental Health (DMH) Constituent Services, and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU). The flowchart’s starting point for each system will be the point of reporting and/or observing a crime extending to the prosecution of an alleged perpetrator. Each phase in the flowchart will be supplemented with information briefly noting important details and providing links to further resources.

This project will serve as a basis for developing partnerships and collaborations for improved response to victims with disabilities. It will also serve as a resource for advocates, family member, and professionals to better navigate the mandated reporting system.

Scope of Work:
• The grantee will develop partnerships with local and state entities necessary to gain expert level understanding of Missouri’s criminal justice system, Missouri’s APS reporting system, DMH constituent services, and MFCU.
• Create a clearly understandable graphic that demonstrates the sequence of events in Missouri’s criminal justice system and Missouri’s APS reporting system, DMH constituent services, and MFCU.
• Detail brief descriptions of each phase of the system.
• Develop training material to be used by the Council and council partners.
• Develop a strategic plan for distribution and resource awareness.
• Sustainability plan must include details to address partnerships and collaborations.


Expected Outcomes:
• Increased collaboration between local and state agencies.
• Readily available resource, providing education and empowering advocates, families, and mandated reporters.
• Increased education and awareness of the reporting, investigation, and prosecution processes.

Who May Apply

Public agencies, private not-for-profit agencies, institutions of higher education, schools, and private for-profit organizations. The organization that applies for this grant must be the organization that will administer the grant and receive, disburse, and account for grant funds. Individuals may not apply for this grant.

Maximum Funding and Duration

The MODDC may award a maximum of $45,000 for this one year project, to one organization. MODDC reserves the right to negotiate the budget as needed and may choose not to award funding this project.

Grantees are expected to match per MODDC guidelines. The match for non-poverty counties is $14,985 and $4,500 for poverty counties. Match may be in-kind or cash. The match must come from non-federal funds (e.g. state, local, agency, or private funds). In-kind match from a variety of sources can be considered. For additional information regarding match see attachments.

MODDC funds may not be used for capital expenditures or acquisitions, contraction, remodeling, rental or purchase of buildings. These grant funds cannot be used for ongoing organizational activities, to supplant existing private, state or federal funding sources, to purchase equipment or furnishings, or to duplicate or replace existing service provided to people with developmental disabilities.

All funding for this NoFA is contingent on receipt of MODDC federal grant funding. MODDC may choose to reduce the amount of grant funding at the time of the grant award.

Application Timeline

The application consists of a project abstract, narrative, work plan with targeted performance measures and a budget. Applications must be submitted online via www.ddsuite.org prior to the published deadline. No paper copies will be accepted. Detailed instructions on completing DD Suite grant applications can be viewed in the Applicant/Grantee User Guide in the HELP section of DD Suite at www.ddsuite.org. Applicants must have an active account and be logged in to view the guide.

Deadline to submit applications - May 1st, 2020, 12:00pm (Central Standard Time)
Applicants notified of decisions - May 20th, 2020
Project begins -June 1st, 2020; Project ends - May 31st, 2021

Application Evaluation

Applications submitted by the deadline will undergo a technical review. Minimum criteria include meeting applicant eligibility requirements, adherence to all instructions for completing the application, and funding parameters.

Applications meeting the minimum criteria will be evaluated for quality, applicability and appropriateness of responses, innovation, projected performance measures, cost effectiveness, and organization capacity to successfully achieve the project's goal and objectives.

Assurances

The following terms and conditions apply to organizations awarded MODDC grant funds:

The Council reserves a royalty-free, non-exclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use, any work developed under any grant awarded by MODDC.

Final drafts of any training materials, publications, videos, websites, or other products shall be reviewed and approved by the MODDC prior to dissemination to the general public. Products must acknowledge Council funding (e.g.(e.g. "Funding for the Criminal Justice Flowchart provided by the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC), Grant #1901MOSCDD-02, as authorized by Public Law 106-402 – Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act).")

Grantees shall administer and report survey results using the MODDC Satisfaction Survey and through DD Suite reporting of performance measures for MODDC's annual reporting.

All materials developed by grantees under this award shall be available and/or reproducible in accessible formats.

The applicant will need to complete the assurances page (Attachment #2) and submit along with the proposal. The page must contain the signature of a general or registered agent of the organization.

The selected applicant will be required to complete and submit state and federal contract and assurance forms as a condition of grant award.

Project Evaluation

The proposal must address how the MODDC performance measures will be met:

SC 1.1: The number of policy and/or procedures created or changed.
Note: Data could include items drafted
Definitions:
Policy: A statement of how an organization or entity intends to conduct its services, actions, or business. Policies provide a set of guiding principles to help with decision making.
Procedure: A description of how each policy will be put into action. Procedures often outline who will do what; what steps will be taken, and which forms to use.
Policy and/or procedure change: A policy and/or procedure change reflects a course of action that has the potential to create or improve policies and/or procedures regarding services and supports that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.
Change: the act of making or becoming different
Created: to cause to come into being.

SC 1.2: The number of policy and/or regulations created or changed.
Note: Data could include items drafted
Definitions:
Statute: A law or other enactment made by a legislature and expressed in a formal document.
Regulation: A rule or administrative code issued by governmental agencies at all levels, municipal, county, state, and federal. Regulations are not laws, but have the force of law since they are adopted under authority granted by statues.
Statute and/or Regulation change: A law and/or rule or administrative code that has the potential to improve laws, rules, or administrative codes regarding services, supports, and other assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community. Life.
Change: the act of making or becoming different
Created: to cause to come into being.

SC 1.3: The number of promising and/or best practices created and/or supported
SC 1.3.1: The number of promising practices created
Definitions:
Promising Practice: a practice with an innovated approach that improves upon existing practice and positively impacts the area of practice. The practice should demonstrate a high degree of success and the possibility of replication in other agencies or settings, but has not been tested.
Best Practices: A technique or methodology that, through experience and research, has proved to reliably lead to desired results.
Created: To cause to come into being.
Supported: Activities funded by the Council as based on the State Plan; Activities planned and funded by the Council based on the State Plan.

SC 2.1: The number of Council efforts that led to the creation or improvement of best or promising practices, policies, procedures, statute or regulation changes.
Note: 2.1 outcomes would be considered short-term or immediate

SC 2.1.1: The number of policy, procedure, statutes, or regulation changes improved as a result of systems change.
Note: Data could include statewide changes and local or organizational level changes. Improvement could be result of the creation of, or a change to, a policy, statute, or regulation
Definitions:
Change: The act of making or becoming different
Created: To cause to come into being.
Implemented: To put into effect, put into action, put into practice, carry out, enact.
Improve: To make or become better, to raise to more desirable condition or quality.

Proposal must include relevant information to assist MODDC to better understand the complex system of reporting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes, involving vulnerable adults, including but not limited to those with I/DD, and the development of a plan for distribution.

Proposals must also include a plan to measure and document the expected outputs and outcome(s) are reached.

Proposals should also describe a plan to evaluate:
- How successful you were in reaching your goal;
- How satisfied the people that collaborated on the project were with the project;
- How you will gather data to report eh Performance Measures described in this NoFA;
- How the scope of work in "Section #5" will be evaluated.

MODDC staff may contact organizations that received grants each year for three to five years after their grant has ended. MODDC will want to know if activities continued and what kind of long-term impact the grant project may have had.

Grantees may wish to contract with external evaluator to ensure a thorough evaluation, but they are not required to do so.

Qualification and Organizational Experience

Any organization that receives a MODDC grant must be able to disburse funds for project activities and expenses, complete MODDC's forms correctly and on time, and be legally able to receive grant funds to reimburse the organization for expenses.

Proposals must show that the organization submitting the proposal has the infrastructure, experience, and capability to implement project activities successfully. Proposals also must demonstrate that the organization can manage funds effectively.

Proposals should also summarize the organization's successful research projects as well as work/research completed with unserved/underserved populations and marginalized communities.

Reporting Requirements

Grantees must submit quarterly reports, continuation proposals to request additional funding if needed, and a final report at the end of the grant. These must be submitted on time. MODDC Program Coordinators will provide more information about these processes to the successful applicant.

Grantees also must report on federally-defined Performance Measures. MODDC staff will provide assistance to grantees to understand the Performance Measures.

Terms

Applicants must agree to the following terms:
- Applicants must disclose any conflicts of interest between themselves and MODDC members, employees or their immediate families.
- Applicants must use respectful language, people first language (see attachment).
- All printed materials must be available in Spanish and in an appropriate accessible format - including electronic, tagged PDF, or large print. Funding for this should be included in the budget.
- Videos, DVDs and teleconferencing and distant learning activities produced by this project must be fully accessible. Any videos or DVDs must be captioned.
- MODDC will retain rights to all products created using funding awarded through this NoFA.
- MODDC reserves the right not to fund any proposal under this announcement.

Match Requirement

MODDC requires that grantees provide a matching contribution each year of a project. Matching contributions may include funding, volunteer hours, or other “in-kind” donations, such as office space and utilities. Other federal funds may not be used was match. Items or funds that are used as a match for another project funded with federal funds also may not be used as a match.

MODDC funds may not pay for more than 75% of the total project cost for projects located in counties not designated as federal poverty areas. MODDC funds may not pay for more than 10% of total project cost for projects located in counties designated as federal poverty counties. The remainder of the project cost must be provided as a match.

Poverty counties include: Adair, Barry, Butler, Carter, Cedar, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Iron, Linn, McDonald, Madison, Mississippi, Morgan, New Madrid, Nodaway, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Clair, Scott, Shannon, St. Francis, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Wright & St. Louis City.

The Review Process

The Home and Community Living Committee of the MODDC will evaluate each proposal based on how well the proposal responds to the NoFA and instructions in the outline questions, and the extent which the proposal project may move MODDC closer to meeting the State Plan Goals and Objectives. The Committee will consider only the information included in the DD Suite application form, the attached Supplemental Forms Packet, and documents that are specifically allowed and are attached to the application. Applicants will not have the opportunity to clarify or add to the information provided in the proposal after the deadline unless they are awarded the grant. MODDC will only review materials specifically requested or allowed by the NoFA, the application, or the application instructions.

Continuing Funding

Continuation funding will be based on a review of the project’s accomplishments, progress towards stated goals and objectives, financial management of funds, compliance with reporting requirements, review of the most recent program audit, review of findings of MODDC’s onsite reviews, development of alternative funding, and the availability of MODDC funds.

MODDC does not plan to provide funding for these projects beyond the number of months offered in this NoFA.