October 2, 2009

 

 

 

APPLICATION PACKET

October 2009

Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities

Docking State Office Building, Room 141

915 SW Harrison

Topeka, KS 66612-1570

(785) 296-2608

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.kcdd.org

“To ensure the opportunity to make choices regarding participation in

society and quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.”

I. SCOPE OF PROJECT AND COUNCIL INTENT

NEEDS AND GIVENS:

· The unemployment rate for people with developmental disabilities remains considerably higher than for the population as a whole.

· People with disabilities and their families are seeking alternatives to traditional, sheltered employment and day services.

• Activities of this investment must increase productivity, integration, independence and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
• Entrepreneurship is increasing across the nation and is a valid employment option for people with developmental disabilities. Most individuals need support to be successful, and a business that supports other business owners (business incubator) could provide a model for replication.
• Resource ownership is an emerging trend where an employee is able to provide equipment or something else of value to the employer. Sometimes getting a competitive edge is easier if you have “added value” derived from things that you can bring to the job that are not traditionally available.
• People with developmental disabilities have valuable skills and abilities that can be packaged into a marketable product or service.
• Pre and post-employment supports appropriate to the individual must be identified and provided.
• Employment considered by the Council to be sheltered, congregate or segregated will not be funded.
• The Council is looking for innovative employment models that can be replicated.
• Individuals served by this investment must be 18 years of age or older and meet the Federal definition of developmental disability.

 

What is a developmental disability?

A developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability which:

· Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments, and

· Is manifested before the person attains age 22, and

· Is likely to continue indefinitely, and

· Results in substantial functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and

· Reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services which are lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

INTENT:

It is the intent of the Council to invest $40,000 in innovative employment solutions that result in gainful employment – 15 hours or more per week – of 6 individuals with developmental disabilities by January 2011.

 

II. TARGET PLAN CONTENT

A. DESCRIBE YOURSELF AND YOUR ORGANIZATION

B. DESCRIBE YOUR IDEA

What makes your idea innovative?

 

C. DESCRIBE YOUR MODEL

1. THE MARKET AND YOUR CUSTOMERS

Define the numbers and characteristics of the customers you will serve. Profile two or three people typical of those to be served by your idea. Explain why they want to know what you have to offer, not why you think they need it. How will potential customers learn about your product?

Name the intermediaries whose involvement is critical for your idea to work. Indicate why they will cooperate. (This is not the same as letters of support.)

2. YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

Specify your proposed “product” or service, its key features and its comparative advantages over others.

If submitting an application for entrepreneurship, what are the important and distinct functions of the product or service? Where will your business be located? What is the name of your business?

3. PERFORMANCE TARGETS

Specify the customer-focused performance targets you are committed to achieving. Indicate the reason for not setting lower or higher levels. (These targets state what changes will occur for the consumer – not what activities or processes you do – and should be stated in observable terms.)

How will you implement your plan?

Describe how you will verify that your performance targets were achieved. How will you know the change has occurred? Customer satisfaction surveys will not be accepted.

 

4. MILESTONES

Specify the critical milestones (steps) that will be achieved to reach your goals.

D. IMPLEMENTATION

1. KEY INDIVIDUALS

Profile those individuals who will have the most responsibility for the project, connecting it to the customers and achieving the performance targets. Describe why they are the right people for the job. We do not want resumes. Instead, focus on the energy, capacity and commitment.

If a team approach to managing and/or implementing is used, specify how strengths of individuals are complementary and not duplicative.

 

2. ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT

This section deals with you and your support network’s capacity to achieve your stated targets. List specific resources that your group will contribute to the project and which are critical to success.

3. REPLICATION

How will your project be replicated?

 

E. FACE SHEET

Complete the face sheet included in your packet. This must be the first page of your application. The original application must have an original signature on this form.

 

F. ABSTRACT

Include a one-page (1) abstract of the project. This summary will be used during the KCDD evaluation process and will be used to describe the project to the public.

 

 

G. BUDGET

The Council on Developmental Disabilities hopes to invest up to $40,000 in 1 or more innovative employment projects that will result in the employment of 6 or more individuals with developmental disabilities. Total amount allocated for this competition is $40,000. Funds received must be spent within one year of the start date of the project.

 

Complete the Budget Information page (Attachment). A 25% non-Federal match is required for each project. This matching requirement means that 25% of the total project must come from non-Federal funds (e.g. state, local, agency, and/or private funds). In-kind contributions may be included as part of the 25% match.

 

 

III. USE OF DD FUNDS

Any equipment or technology purchased with Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities funds for an individual to obtain employment must remain the property of the individual. Council funds may not be used for capital expenditures or acquisition (construction, remodeling, or purchase of buildings).

 

 

IV. SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION AND CLOSING DATE

 

The original, unbound application plus six (6) copies of the application must be received by:

5:00 PM, December 1st, 2009

sent or hand delivered to:

Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities

Docking State office Building, Room 141

915 SW Harrison

Topeka, KS 66612-1570

 

No FAX, Handwritten, or Single-Spaced Copies will be accepted. Please number your pages.

 

 

V. SELECTION PROCESS

 

After submission of your application, the Council will conduct a three step due diligence selection process:

 

1.) Telephone interview. Most applicants will be contacted and given the opportunity to answer any questions reviewers may have about the proposal or to clarify any part of the proposal.

2.) Personal interview. After the initial screening has been made, remaining applicants will be given the opportunity to meet personally with the review team to elaborate, substantiate and generally build upon the submitted target plan.

3.) Verification. Verification involves the review team contacting previous customers or other outside persons familiar with the provider’s work to ask for confirmation of any key claims made by the applicant at any point during the due diligence process.

 

VI. TIMELINES FOR APPLICATION PROCESS

 

Here is an estimated timeline for the completion of each step of the application process:

 

 

 

NOTE: Applicants must be available for the dates of the telephone interviews and the personal interviews should they be required. The key people responsible for implementing the project should be available for both contacts.