Regional Disability Health Clinics

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), a New York State agency, has released the Regional Disability Health Clinics Program under Request for Applications RFA OPD-2025-49. OPWDD is the state executive agency charged with regulating, coordinating, and overseeing services for individuals with developmental disabilities. It partners with a network of more than 500 voluntary provider agencies and state-operated programs. The agency certifies over 450 Article 16 clinics that provide specialized diagnostic and treatment services such as dental, medical, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and nutrition. Additionally, OPWDD works in conjunction with the Department of Health, which oversees Article 28 facilities including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Centers, and hospital extension clinics. The purpose of this program is to increase access to equitable, high-quality health care for individuals with developmental disabilities. People in this population often face greater barriers to receiving timely and appropriate medical and dental care, due to limited provider expertise, accessibility challenges, and systemic inequities. This program provides capital project funding to expand the capacity of Article 16 and Article 28 clinics to address these gaps. Projects may include improvements to accessibility, upgrades to facilities, acquisition of equipment, and development of integrated information technology systems. In total, $25 million has been allocated to fund these projects. Priority funding areas include expanding or adding dental services in underserved regions, making physical plant changes for wheelchair accessibility, creating sensory-friendly environments, and enhancing specialty health services in healthcare deserts. Projects are expected to directly improve outcomes by reducing barriers, increasing service availability, and improving coordination of care. Eligible applicants must be Article 16 or Article 28 clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Centers, Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, and hospital extension clinics. Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations and provide a valid New York State operating certificate. Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System. The anticipated contract term is up to five years with a projected start date of March 1, 2026. The Calendar of Events specifies a release date of September 11, 2025, a pre-application conference on September 19, 2025, a questions deadline of September 25, 2025, issuance of responses by October 8, 2025, and a final application due date of November 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Tentative award notifications are expected by February 2, 2026. Applications must include three parts: an administrative application, a technical application, and a budget application. Required attachments include attestations, non-collusive bidding certification, vendor responsibility forms, subcontractor usage forms, and certifications related to anti-discrimination, sexual harassment prevention, and compliance with state executive orders. The technical application must outline organizational experience, community need, service gaps, and proposed scope of work. The budget application must provide narrative justifications for each expense category and demonstrate reasonableness of costs. Applications will be reviewed in stages including administrative review, technical review, budget review, and senior team evaluation. The evaluation criteria emphasize demonstrated experience serving people with developmental disabilities, addressing identified community needs, alignment with priority areas, readiness to implement, and strength of budget justifications. Funding awards are discretionary and made at the sole authority of the OPWDD Commissioner, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Division of the Budget. Applicants will be notified of awards or non-awards by email. Designated contacts for this opportunity include Graciela Martin and Allison Giese of the OPWDD Contract Management Unit, with secondary contacts Alexander Rosney and Marc Kleinhenz. All inquiries must be submitted to OPWDDGrants@opwdd.ny.gov. A pre-application conference will be held via Webex, and registration is required by September 17, 2025. Questions must be submitted by the stated deadline, and answers will be issued publicly. Successful applicants will be required to provide proof of insurance coverage, including workers’ compensation and disability benefits coverage, prior to contract execution.

Emphasize community engagement, alignment with priority areas, readiness to implement, and early SFS prequalification