To provide for grants, contracts and cooperative agreements for projects of national significance to increase and support the independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion into the community of individuals with developmental disabilities.

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Related Programs

• Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants
• University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service

Examples of Funded Projects

The Projects of National Significance program has funded projects which will: (1) Identify model programs that focus on self/familial advocacy and empowerment by persons with disabilities and their families; (2) projects that focus on individuals and ways in which recreation and leisure activities have aided their integration into the community; (3) projects that assess the needs of and focus on the provision of services for children at-risk of developmental disabilities; (4) collaborative projects that implement leadership models; (5) projects that demonstrate successful approaches to home ownership by persons with disabilities; (6) projects that assist families with children who have severe and profound developmental disabilities to maintain their children at home while at the same time insuring the well-being and integrity of the family unit; (7) projects to support families who have members with Developmental Disabilities; (8) projects supporting minorities who have Developmental Disabilities; and (9) projects to provide personal assistance services for persons with disabilities.

Grants for this Program

• Strengthening Coordinated Transportation Systems for People with Disabilities and Older Adults
• Living Well-Model Approaches for Enhancing the Quality, Effectiveness and Monitoring of Home and Community Based Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
• Partnerships in Employment Systems Change
• Training and Technical Assistance Center for State Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Delivery Systems
• Diversity Community of Practice

More Grants for this Program...

Selected Recipients for this Program

In FY 07, 46 grants were awarded. In FY 08, 52 grants will be awarded. It is anticipated that 56 grants will be awarded in FY 09.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Project grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements are approved for personnel, equipment, travel, supplies, etc.

Duplicative Federal assistance is precluded.

Uses include: (1) Family support activities; (2) Projects to educate policy makers; (3) projects to conduct data collection and analysis; (4) projects to provide technical assistance for developing information and referral systems; (5) Federal interagency initiatives; (6) technical assistance projects; (7) projects to enhance opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities who are from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds; (8) projects to improve supportive living and quality of life opportunities which enhance recreation, leisure and fitness; (9) projects concerning the transition of youth with developmental disabilities from school to work and to adult life; and (10) other projects of national significance.

Funds are not awarded solely for direct service delivery, construction, or for the continuation or expansion of existing projects, but rather for projects which are considered innovative and likely to have significant national impact.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

In general, any State, local, public or private nonprofit organization or agency may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

In general, any State, local, public or private nonprofit organization or agency may apply.

Credentials/Documentation

Proof of community need and consistency with developmental disabilities State Plans. Proof of nonprofit status. Compliance with statutes, regulations, and approval of State agency and DHHS/ACF Regional Offices. Costs and administrative procedures will be determined in accordance with Parts 74 and 92 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS must be used for this program.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Forms and instructions for project grants are available from HHS Central Office and the appropriate DHHS-ACF Regional Office. Forms and instructions for projects of national significance grants are available from the Headquarters Office, Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: 93631.811. Telephone: (202) 690-6590. One signed original and two copies of the grant application are required, including all attachments, and must be submitted to the address specified in the application kit. Three additional copies would be useful to facilitate processing. In addition, concurrently, one (1) copy of the application should be submitted to the applicant's DD State Council and two (2) copies to the appropriate State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review and comment as per Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." (Addresses for State Developmental Disabilities Councils and SPOCs are included in the application kit.) The application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and to assume for the agency the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award including the regulations for the Projects of National Significance Grants Program.

Award Procedures

Applications are reviewed and recommendations made by the Central Office, Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Successful applicants are notified through the issuance of a Financial Assistance Award which sets forth in writing the amount of funds granted, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the award, the budget period for which support is given and the total grantee participation. The initial award, when applicable, also specifies the project period for which support is contemplated.

Deadlines

Contact DHHS Central Office for up-to-date information.

Authorization

Mental Retardation Facilities and Construction Act of 1963, Public Law 88-164, as amended; Title V, Public Laws 91-517, 94- 103, 95-602; Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, as amended, Public Law 97-35; Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Title 1, Section 100, Public Law 98-527, as amended; Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 1987, Public Law 100-146; 42 U.S.C. 6081-6083; Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990, Public Law 101- 496; Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1994, Public Law 103-230; Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 1996, Public Law 104-183; Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law 106-402, 42 U.S.C. 15081-15083.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 60 to 180 days according to the type of program being requested.

Appeals

Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR 16.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Matching requirements are specified in each published program announcement.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Project periods for grants are specified in each published program announcement.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Expenditure and progress reports are required for each budget period.

Final progress report is required 90 days after the end of project period.

Audits

Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.

Records

Records must be maintained for 3 years.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-506.

Obigations

(Grants and Contracts) FY 07 $11,414,000; FY 08 $14,162,000; and FY 09 est $14,162,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$50,000 to $300,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Regulations are published in Chapter XIII of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1387.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Contact the Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, HHS Regional Offices (See Appendix IV of the Catalog.)

Headquarters Office

Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade. S.W., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 690-7025. Contact: Ophelia McLain.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

No application can be approved unless it shows/provides evidence of its non-profit status and the State in which the applicant's project will be conducted has an approved DD State plan under this Act. Applications are also to be reviewed by the State Developmental Disabilities Council for the State in which it is to be conducted. Project's proposed design is complete and feasible, and includes measurable objectives and an evaluation component. Project does not supplant activities that are funded under other Federal programs. Competing grant applications will be reviewed and evaluated against criteria that are specified in each published program announcement.