NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS;* PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, HOSPITALS; DISABILITY-SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS; COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS; CONSORTIA, GROUPS OR PARTNERSHIPS AMONG ORGANIZATIONS

Organizations whose staff was involved in the development of this Request for Proposal are not eligible to directly apply or be included as a sub-contractor for another applicant.

*Note: the lead applicant cannot be a for-profit organization; however, for-profit organizations may serve has subcontractors to the lead applicant.

To fund one grantee up to $300,000 per year for five years, to develop and distribute education materials and pilot supported decision-making models with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who reside throughout New York State. Additionally, one Technical Assistance and Evaluation Grant for up to $75,000 per year for five years, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the supported decision-making grantee including assessing the pilots and educational campaign.

Supported decision-making (SDM) is a model that provides people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) with the individualized supports and services necessary to make informed decisions. SDM emphasizes that the majority of individuals with disabilities, even those with significant disabilities, have the ability and the right to make important decisions impacting their lives.

SDM is an alternative to the court process of appointing a guardian whereby the individual maintains the legal right and ability to make decisions impacting his or her life. Individuals without disabilities often rely on family, non-family, members of their church, and others to aid them in making decisions. SDM replicates the natural process that non-disabled individuals use to make important decisions. Typical SDM models surround the individual with family, friends, advocates and others who assist them with understanding the potential choices and options they have so that they can make their own decisions.

The outcome of this DDPC initiative is to demonstrate that SDM is a functioning alternative to surrogate decision-making and should be exhausted prior to anyone seeking or being granted guardianship over a person with I/DD. The goal will be to expand the models statewide for all individuals at risk of guardianship.

Grant 1: Supportive Decision–Making Educational Campaign and Pilot

Approach:

DDPC will select one grantee to work directly with Disability Rights New York (DRNY)¹, the designated Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PADD) Program, and the selected evaluation grantee to develop an educational campaign as well as pilot SDM models with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

The Supported Decision Making Pilot grant has three project components: Education, Restoration and Alternatives to Guardianship. These three components will overlap through this 5-year project period. The selected grantee will be required to work with DRNY to establish an advisory council consisting of legal advocates and/or attorneys, including attorneys who practice in front of Surrogate Court, individuals with disabilities, family members, caregivers and others. The selected grantee must hold three meetings yearly with the advisory council and establish a plan for ongoing communication.

DDPC funds would be used to support the following:

1. Research supported decision-making models;

2. Develop education materials and campaign;

3. Pilot worthwhile models;

4. Document effective models via written and technology-based formats;

5. Work with DRNY and the evaluation grantee; and

6. Identify and make recommendations for revisions to relevant guardianship laws and other laws impacting supported decision-making.

Grant 2 Supportive Decision–Making Evaluation Grant

The selected evaluation grantee will work with the Supported Decision-Making Pilot Grantee and Disability Rights New York (DRNY) to evaluate the SDM educational campaign and the implementation and outcomes of the supported decision-making models on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their ability to make informed decisions.

The evaluation grantee will be required to develop quantitative and qualitative data collection tools including stakeholder evaluations, measures of success prior to and after development and implementation of supported decision-making plans in order to demonstrate replicability of the model.

The Evaluator will provide assistance to the supported decision-making grantee and DRNY to:

• Develop tools to collect required data for the cumulative evaluation;

• Develop tools to collect and share individual outcomes from the pilots (using written materials, videos and other media approaches);

• Provide training and ongoing support on data collection, and establish data collection protocols and timeframes;

• Assist grantee with selection of participants for the pilots ensuring that individuals represent both geographic and cultural diversity;

• Assist with identifying, compiling and disseminating best practice models suitable for statewide application;

• Explore uses of technology including social media;

• Assess the overall effectiveness and impact of the initiative;

• Identify strategies to create a sustainable model; and

• Document the effectiveness of the SDM models via written and technology-based formats.

The full RFP can be downloaded from http://www.ddpc.ny.gov/ ddpc_funding_support. All interested applicants are required to submit a one page letter of intent by August 7, 2015 to [email protected] Letters of intent are required for applications to be accepted for this RFP.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to check the DDPC website periodically for any amendments to the RFP. All changes will be posted by August 21, 2015 at http://www.ddpc.ny.gov/ ddpc_funding_support. No other notifications will be given.

All final grant applications should be sent to the address listed above and to the attention of Sheila Carey, Executive Director, and must be delivered to the DDPC office by 3:00 pm on September 1, 2015. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.

_______________

¹ Please note that none of the DDPC Funding nor Grantee match will be used to support the involvement of Disability Rights New York with this initiative.

UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITHIN TARGETED COUNTIES

Fiscal Year 2015 Critical Infrastructure Grant Program seeks applications for up to $50,000 in federal State Homeland Security Program funding made available by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) for critical infrastructure protection. The FY 2015 Critical Infrastructure Grant Program (CIGP) advances a common understanding of risk management. Applicants select a critical infrastructure site or special event or seasonal at risk location and complete a risk assessment. First responders assess their capability to prevent and protect against attacks on the site. Grant funding is then applied to mitigate vulnerabilities identified in the risk assessment or enhance first responder’s capabilities.

The priority focus for the FY 2015 CIGP is government owned critical infrastructure sites; and special event or seasonal at risk locations. Examples of government owned sites include, but are not limited to, government office buildings (city/town halls, courthouses), emergency services (emergency operations centers, 911 centers, police or fire stations), water systems (water treatment facilities, water distribution, wastewater treatments) and cyber security initiatives. Examples of a special event or seasonal at risk location include, but are not limited to, major community festivals, races, seasonal camps, or other mass gathering events. These locations should be reoccurring, at locations that have defined geographic boundaries and the event or location must pose special security concerns, such as population surges and other factors that require additional law enforcement or emergency resources.

Only units of local government within targeted counties are eligible to apply for the FY 2015 CIGP. Units of local governments include: counties, cities, towns, and/or villages. Applicants must be located in New York City or one of the following targeted counties: Albany, Broome, Dutchess, Erie, Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Tioga, Wayne, Westchester, and Yates. The application must be coordinated with at least two (2) agencies with prevention and/or protection responsibilities at the selected site. These must be law enforcement, fire department, emergency management, information technology professionals, or public works agencies.

Applications will be accepted from July 2, 2015 through 11:59 p.m. on August 18, 2015 via DHSES’ Electronic Grants Management System (E-Grants).

For the Request for Applications (RFA) please visit the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) website at http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ grants or DHSES’s Grant Hotline at (866) 837-9133.

LOCAL COUNTY AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

Fiscal Year 2015 Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program seeks applications for up to $60,000 in federal State Homeland Security Program funding made available by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) for programs to develop and support explosive detection canine team capabilities. The six primary objectives of this grant are: 1.) The advancement of explosive detection canine team capabilities; 2.) The certification of explosive detection canine teams and compliance with annual re-certification requirements; 3.) Participation in DHS’s Office for Bombing Prevention’s (DHS-OBP) Explosive Detection Canine Capability Analysis Program; 4.) Alignment to New York State’s thirteen FBI Accredited bomb squads; 5.) Use of the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS); and, 6.) Promotion of regional partnerships in the development of mutual explosive detection canine team capabilities. Grants will be awarded to support local, county and Tribal law enforcement agencies with an active road patrol component of their law enforcement operations.

Applications will be accepted from July 2, 2015 through 11:59 p.m. on August 13, 2015 through the State’s Electronic Grants Management System (E-Grants).

For the Request for Applications (RFA) please visit the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) website at http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ grants/targeted.cfm or DHSES’s Grant Hotline at (866) 837-9133.

NON-ENTITLEMENT VILLAGES, TOWNS, CITIES OR COUNTIES THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE

The Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) announces the availability of approximately $23 million of State and Federal funds for the following programs:

• $10 million - NYS Community Development Block Grant funding for Housing Activities

• $6 million - Access to Home for Veterans

• $1 million - Access to Home Program

• $3 million - Access to Home for Medicaid Recipients Program

• $3.9 million - RESTORE Program

NYS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The New York State Community Development Block Grant Program (NYS CDBG) is a federally funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR). The program provides resources to non-entitlement communities to enable the development of decent, affordable housing, create suitable living environments, and enhance economic opportunities across the state.

CDBG ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include non-entitlement villages, towns, cities or counties throughout New York State, excluding metropolitan cities, urban counties, and Indian Tribes that are designated Entitlement communities. Non-entitlement areas are defined as cities, towns, and villages with populations of less than 50,000 except those designated principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and counties with populations of less than 200,000.

CDBG HOUSING ACTIVITIES

CDBG funds are available for housing projects (rehabilitation including mobile and manufactured home replacement; home ownership; residential water and wastewater systems) that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

2015 MAXIMUM FUNDING LIMITS

CDBG Housing Activities

Towns, Cities and Villages: $500,000

Counties: $850,000

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

CDBG Housing Resources Funding Opportunities for 2015

Applicants seeking NYS CDBG funding for housing activities (housing rehabilitation, mobile home replacement, well and septic replacement, lateral connection assistance, homeownership) must apply for funding through the 2015 Office of Community Renewal Housing Resources Funding Opportunities Application. The 2015 Application for CDBG Housing Activities will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/ Funding/ on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Applications will be due no later than 4:00pm Friday, September 25, 2015.

Applications must be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

ACCESS TO HOME FOR VETERANS PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Access to Home for Veterans Program is a State funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR) that provides grants to eligible applicants to make accessibility modifications to existing owner-occupied or rental dwelling units occupied by low-income veterans with disabilities.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages or counties throughout New York State, and not-for-profit corporations that are incorporated under NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, not-for-profit organizations must have been in existence and providing relevant service to the community for at least one year prior to application.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that propose funding for one or more of the following activities in existing residential units:

• Installations of ramps, lifts, and other similar measures to permit access to and from the exterior of a building;

• Modifications to kitchens and bathrooms to provide access to persons with mobility limitations or disabling conditions;

• Interior accessibility modifications that will permit access within the unit for persons with mobility limitations or other disabling conditions;

• Installation of devices to permit a safe environment for persons with hearing or visual impairments;

• Architectural and engineering work, testing of assisted units for environmental, health and safety purposes, and other professional services necessary for the installation of accessibility modifications;

• Other activities required to install accessibility modifications.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum award amount is $150,000 with a dwelling unit maximum of $25,000 for single-entity applicants. For joint applications of two or more entities, including subsidiaries and partnerships, the maximum award amount is $500,000 with a dwelling unit maximum of $25,000. The minimum award amount is $75,000 for all applicants.

The OCR reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. The OCR reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

The Access to Home application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/ Funding/on Thursday, July 22, 2015. Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on Monday, September 21, 2015. Applications must be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at: www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

ACCESS TO HOME PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Access to Home Program is a State funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR) that provides grants to eligible applicants to make accessibility modifications to existing owner-occupied or rental dwelling units occupied by low-income persons with disabilities.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages or counties throughout New York State, and not-for-profit corporations that are incorporated under NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, not-for-profit organizations must have been in existence and providing relevant service to the community for at least one year prior to application.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that propose funding for one or more of the following activities in existing residential units:

• Installations of ramps, lifts, and other similar measures to permit access to and from the exterior of a building;

• Modifications to kitchens and bathrooms to provide access to persons with mobility limitations or disabling conditions;

• Interior accessibility modifications that will permit access within the unit for persons with mobility limitations or other disabling conditions;

• Installation of devices to permit a safe environment for persons with hearing or visual impairments;

• Architectural and engineering work, testing of assisted units for environmental, health and safety purposes, and other professional services necessary for the installation of accessibility modifications;

• Other activities required to install accessibility modifications.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum award amount is $150,000 with a dwelling unit maximum of $25,000. The minimum award amount is $75,000.

The OCR reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. The OCR reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

The Access to Home application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/ Funding/on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on Monday, September 21, 2015. Applications must be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at: www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

ACCESS TO HOME FOR MEDICAID PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Access to Home for Medicaid Program is a State funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR), in coordination with NYS Department of Health, that provides grants to eligible applicants to make accessibility modifications to existing owner-occupied or rental dwelling units occupied by persons with disabilities that also receive Medicaid assistance. Units occupied by persons with disabilities but not receiving Medicaid assistance are not eligible for this program.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages or counties throughout New York State, and not-for-profit corporations that are incorporated under NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, not-for-profit organizations must have been in existence and providing relevant service to the community for at least one year prior to application.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that propose funding for one or more of the following activities in existing residential units:

• Installations of ramps, lifts, and other similar measures to permit access to and from the exterior of a building;

• Modifications to kitchens and bathrooms to provide access to persons with mobility limitations or disabling conditions;

• Interior accessibility modifications that will permit access within the unit for persons with mobility limitations or other disabling conditions;

• Installation of devices to permit a safe environment for persons with hearing or visual impairments;

• Architectural and engineering work, testing of assisted units for environmental, health and safety purposes, and other professional services necessary for the installation of accessibility modifications;

• Other activities required to install accessibility modifications.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum award amount is $150,000 with a dwelling unit maximum of $25,000. The minimum award amount is $75,000.

The OCR reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. The OCR reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

The Access to Home for Medicaid application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/ Funding/on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on Monday, September 21, 2015. Applications must be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at: www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

RESTORE PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The RESTORE program is a State funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR) to grant funds to eligible applicants to cover the cost of emergency repairs in homes owned by low- income elderly persons.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, and counties throughout New York State, and not-for-profit corporations that are incorporated under the NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, not-for-profit organizations must have been in existence and providing relevant service to the community for at least one year prior to application.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that benefit elderly homeowners (60 years of age or older) with incomes less than 80 percent of median income that propose funding for one or more of the following activities:

• Repairs to 1-4 unit residential dwellings owned and occupied by an elderly homeowner that eliminate conditions that pose a threat to life, health, or safety. The age and incomes of any tenants within a multi-unit structure does not factor into the eligibility of a property.

• Repairs addressing furnace, roof, electrical and plumbing or other emergency repairs.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum award amount is $150,000 with a building maximum of $10,000. The minimum award amount is $25,000.

The OCR reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. The OCR reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

The RESTORE application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/ Funding/on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on Monday, September 21, 2015. Applications should be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

MINORITY- AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (M/WBE) COMPLIANCE

In accordance with Section 312 of Article 15-A of the Executive Law, NYS Homes and Community Renewal requires contractors and awardees to make affirmative efforts to ensure that New York State certified Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises have opportunities for meaningful participation on projects awarded funding by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the Affordable Housing Corporation.

On October 1, 2014 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that his Administration is increasing its goal for MWBE state contracting utilization to 30 percent, the highest such target for any state in the nation. You can read more about the Governor’s announcement at http://www.governor.ny.gov/ press/10114-mwbe-contracting.

Additional information regarding M/WBE compliance for the Programs included in this NOFA can be found at http://www.nyshcr.org/ AboutUs/Offices/FairHousing/.”

NEW YORK STATE GRANTS GATEWAY PREQUALIFICATION

The New York State Grants Gateway is a statewide effort that will improve the way the State administers grants by simplifying and streamlining the grants management process.

Effective August 1, 2013, not-for-profit organizations must be prequalified in order to do business with New York State. In order to prequalify, not-for-profit organizations must submit an online Prequalification Application through the Grants Gateway. The Prequalification Application is comprised of five components to gauge your organizational structure and the types of services you provide. The required forms and document uploads are all part of the Grants Gateway Document Vault. Resources to complete the application and associated document vault can be found in the Quick Links Section of the Grants Gateway page at http://grantsreform.ny.gov/.

Prequalification is designed as a way for not-for-profits to interact more directly with State agencies before they compete for State contracts, enabling them to make adjustments and answer concerns prior to entering a competitive bid process. Once they have been prequalified, multiple State agencies will have ready access to the prequalification materials, eliminating redundant submissions of such information by the vendor. Not-for-profits will only have to formally prequalify every 3 years, with the responsibility to keep their information current throughout the 3 year period.

PLEASE NOTE: Not-for-Profit applicants that are not prequalified through the New York State Grants Gateway by the application deadline of Monday, September 21, 2015, will not be eligible to receive funds, and any applications submitted to the OCR will be deemed ineligible for review and consideration.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries or technical assistance regarding the NYS CDBG, Access to Home for Veterans, Access to Home, Access to Home for Medicaid, and RESTORE programs, please contact: NYS Homes and Community Renewal, at the above address, or call (518) 474-2057