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

Have you ever thought of owning your own business? The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities has helped numerous adults with developmental disabilities to start their own businesses. We’ve provided funds for equipment, supplies, staff, advertising, and more. Some of the business ideas that we’ve funded include: custom embroidery, vending machines, shredding, bakery, salon laundry service, honey manufacturing, kettle korn, and office/copy services.

 

The Council would like to help more people with developmental disabilities own their own businesses by providing start-up funds. It is the intent of the Council to invest in four or more new businesses owned by individuals with developmental disabilities.

 

GIVENS:

· Partnership with Small Business Development Centers, Vocational Rehabilitation and other resources is strongly encouraged.

· Businesses should lead to measurable income contributing to the individual’s self-sufficiency.

· Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet the Federal definition of developmental disabilities.

 

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.

II. TARGET PLAN CONTENT

A. WHO ARE YOU?

Please provide of brief description of yourself. Include information on why you want to own your own business, your skills and abilities, and your enthusiasm for this business.

 

B. WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS IDEA?

Please describe your business idea.

C. BUSINESS PLAN (Between 5 and 8 pages double spaced)

Please address each item.

 

1. PRODUCT

Describe your product or service and your knowledge and familiarity with the product or service.

2. PRICING

How did you determine the price of your goods or services? Have you contacted similar businesses?

 

3. LOCATION

Describe your business location and its advantages and disadvantages.

 

4. CUSTOMERS/COMPETITION

List your key customers. Do you have any competitors? If so, who are they and what advantage do you have over them? What are the risks for starting this type of business?

 

5. FEASIBILITY

Have you explored the feasibility of your business? Please provide a market analysis that identifies the need for your business and your customers’ needs.

 

6. MARKETING PLAN

How will you advertise and promote your business?

 

7. FINANCIAL PLAN

Please provide your break-even analysis, cash flow analysis, balance sheet, plan for bookkeeping, identification of loans and other financial assistance.

 

8. LEGAL/TAX

What licenses or zoning requirements are applicable to your business? Have you considered and made a plan for taxes and insurance?

 

9. BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

Please describe your knowledge (and/or the knowledge of your support team) about starting and running this type of business. What business training do you and your support system have? Are you and your support system open to obtaining additional training if requested by the Council?

 

10. SUPPORT NETWORK

Please describe what you need to be successful with your business and your support network. Are they paid or unpaid? What are you back-up plans if your primary support is not available?

 

11. EXPANSION AND GROWTH

How do you plan to sustain your business? What are your plans for expansion?

12. OTHER RESOURCES

Have you contacted your Community Developmental Disabilities Organization, Vocational Rehabilitation, or the Kansas Small Business Development Center? Who are other investors in your business? How much have they invested? Please include financial and in-kind contributions.

 

D. PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Please describe how you will implement your business plan. Include a timeline for implementation.

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 for 4 or more small businesses. Individual applicants may request up to $10,000. 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

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 1, 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.