Pathways to Progress: Community Outreach and Family Engagement for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) has released a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) for a new project titled “Pathways to Progress: Community Outreach and Family Engagement for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.” This grant opportunity stems from the council’s mission to address systemic disparities faced by underserved families in the developmental disabilities community. These disparities include barriers such as inadequate cultural and linguistic accessibility, insufficient community engagement, and a general lack of advocacy resources, all of which hinder timely diagnosis and access to essential services. The primary objective of this grant is to support initiatives that close equity gaps and empower families by improving service accessibility and building community capacity. The funded projects are expected to enhance systems through outreach, training, technical assistance, interagency collaboration, policy education, and the demonstration of innovative approaches. Each proposal must address key aspects such as accessibility, cross-disability inclusion, use of technology, sustainability, and cultural diversity, and must clearly tie into the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) priorities. Eligible applicants include a broad array of entities such as state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. Specific exclusions apply to organizations with representatives currently serving on the council unless certain conditions are met. Applications must include matching funds: 25 percent for statewide projects and 10 percent for projects focused solely in designated poverty areas, specifically Athens and Meigs Counties in 2025. Matching funds can be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions but cannot originate from federal sources. Applications are to be submitted online through the DD Suite portal by 11:59 p.m. EST on July 11, 2025. Each application must contain several required components, including a narrative description, outreach and inclusion plans, detailed budget, letters of recommendation, resumes, and necessary certifications. SAM.gov registration and an Ohio Supplier ID are also mandatory for funding eligibility. The review process involves a five-member panel comprising external reviewers and council members who will assess applications across seven criteria including project narrative, qualifications, outreach efforts, budget justification, and inclusion strategies. Awards will be made based on scores and a majority panel vote. Notifications of funding decisions will be made within five business days following the panel review. For technical or application-related inquiries, applicants may contact Rebecca Bates for programmatic questions and Gary Groom or Robin Shipp for fiscal matters. Additional information can also be obtained by mail at the council’s address or by visiting the DD Suite website. Successful grantees will be subject to regular program and financial reporting depending on the size of the award, in accordance with federal guidelines.