Peer-Mentoring Mental Health & IDD Dual Diagnosis

The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is offering a four-year grant opportunity focused on peer mentoring for individuals dually diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health conditions. This initiative reflects CDD’s mission to enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities through programs that promote self-advocacy, inclusion, and active community participation. The program seeks to fund up to two grantees, each eligible to receive $200,000 annually (up to $800,000 total), to develop and operate two separate mentoring programs: one for adults with dual diagnoses and another for parents or caregivers of such individuals. Organizations may apply to develop one or both programs but must submit distinct applications for each. This peer mentoring initiative aims to build structured, supportive, one-to-one relationships between trained mentors and mentees. For adult mentees with IDD and mental health diagnoses, the program focuses on enhancing mood management, emotional regulation, and leadership skills. For parent/caregiver participants, the program intends to build knowledge of mental health conditions, coping strategies, and self-care practices. Training for mentors will cover essential areas such as psychoeducation, therapeutic communication, mandated reporting, and confidentiality. All programs must be overseen by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, ensuring clinical integrity and safety. The mentoring model emphasizes semi-structured interactions and psychoeducational components, with flexibility for personalized support. The project must deliver between four and eight mentoring cohorts, each comprising 16 weekly sessions, guided by session outlines and scripts. Mentors will also facilitate psychoeducational materials for mentees, including curated videos and worksheets. Additional components include monthly structured social events, weekly mentor support from advisors and staff, and a protocol for safety concerns such as self-harm. A grant advisory council—featuring individuals with dual diagnoses and caregivers—is required to help tailor the program and ensure relevance. Applicants must be nonprofit or public institutions, tribal or disability-service organizations, or consortia of such entities. A licensed clinician must supervise the program, either as staff or via a letter of commitment. Applications are due via the Statewide Financial System (SFS) by January 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. All not-for-profit applicants must be prequalified in SFS by this deadline. Questions are due by December 1, 2025, and responses will be posted by December 3. Awards are anticipated on February 13, 2026, with contracts beginning April 1, 2026 and ending March 31, 2030. Proposals will be evaluated through a two-step review: a minimum qualifications check and a programmatic review using a 100-point scoring rubric. Key criteria include the program design, evaluation strategies, sustainability, budget justification, and capacity to serve the dual-diagnosis population. The grant requires a 34% match of the total project cost, which must come from non-federal sources. Required documentation includes a detailed work plan, budget, organizational certifications, and evidence of vendor responsibility. Optional materials such as sample videos or resources may be submitted to illustrate organizational experience or capability.

Clear articulation of mentor training, safety protocols, and structured sessions increases scoring; failure to prequalify in SFS results in disqualification.