CDD Mental Health Literacy Grant

The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is offering a grant opportunity to support the development of a web-based mental health literacy curriculum and an associated print guide. This project aims to enhance knowledge and skills among practitioners, family members, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who experience co-occurring mental health challenges. The grant provides funding of up to $200,000 per year for two years, totaling $400,000. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public or private institutions such as universities or hospitals, disability-service organizations, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and consortia or partnerships among these groups. For-profit entities cannot apply as lead applicants but may participate as subcontractors. The project period will run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The funded curriculum should cover topics such as understanding mental health literacy; recognizing mental health symptoms within disability populations; substance abuse; self-help strategies for mild-to-moderate mental health issues; crisis navigation; and available resources. Materials must be accessible in multiple languages and designed for self-paced learning to empower users in building their own capacity. Applicants are expected to create resources that include links and referral pathways to local assistance programs and mental health providers. The goal is to provide practical tools that support ongoing education and access to services for individuals with IDD facing mental health challenges. This grant offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to improving mental health literacy in New York State’s developmental disabilities community. Interested applicants should prepare proposals aligned with the outlined requirements by the deadline of August 1, 2025. For additional details about eligibility criteria, application procedures, and program expectations, please visit the CDD website linked in the announcement.