NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS; COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS; DISABILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS; PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS UNIVERSITIES OR COLLEGES WITH EXPERIENCE IN CONDUCTING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS

One grant of up to $50,000 for 18 months will be funded by the DDPC to conduct a needs assessment of adult siblings of New Yorkers with developmental disabilities across New York State. The needs assessment will include but not be limited to: general demographic information about the siblings both with and without the disabilities including the resources, services and supports they receive (in their regions or Statewide) and their current needs; current adult sibling resources and supports by geographic regions and statewide; sibling readiness to serve as principal advocate and any training needs or desires pertaining to generic disability or sibling-specific issues; current knowledge of sibling initiatives including the Sibling Leadership Network (national), SibsNY (State) and local efforts as well as an examination of how an organized statewide adult sibling network could be most helpful and effective and to encourage active participation The applicant's action plan and budget narratives must provide the justification for the amount requested.

Because of improved health care and higher quality of life, individuals with disabilities are living longer, more rewarding lives. As a consequence, they are outliving their parents. An estimated 60% of these people with disabilities live with their parents in the family home. Current fiscal forecasts indicate limited growth in the future for the service delivery system. A first line of assistance in dealing with these issues is the natural support of a sibling. But, siblings often lack the time, training and expertise to support their brothers and sisters with disabilities. The intent of this proposal is to identify barriers (formal and informal) that prevent or inhibit their participation as well as address the identified barriers and challenges to establishing ways of fostering supportive sibling relationships and to provide long-term support for their advocacy efforts.

The proposed needs assessment will provide the basis for a set of recommendations and action steps for DDPC consideration as we maximize the participation of knowledgeable and well-informed siblings in the lives of their siblings with developmental disabilities.

The successful applicant will provide:

• A database containing names, addresses and other demographic information of siblings with developmental disabilities across New York State.

• A report describing and analyzing the current status of: sibling's knowledge about the service delivery system, sibling initiatives at the State and/or federal level and their readiness to serve as principal advocate for their sibling with developmental disabilities.

• Training needs expressed by siblings and/or other training gaps identified in analysis (generic disability or sibling specific).

• Sibling services available to siblings with development disabilities at the State and regional level.

• A set of recommendations concerning future DDCP endeavors with siblings in New Your Sate and a logic model for implementing these recommendations.

All interested applicants are requested to submit a one-page letter of intent by March 4, 20011 to James Huben, Program Planner at the address above. Letters of intent are required for applications to be accepted for this RFP. All final grant applications should be sent to Sheila Carey, Executive Director, and must be delivered to the DDPC office by close of business (5:00 pm) on March 18, 2011.