Current Grant Opportunities

How to Apply: The Office requires applicants for this funding opportunity to apply by completing the “Application for Flex Funding” as outlined in this document. All applicants must submit in this manner unless the applicant is granted a written exemption from this requirement, at least thirty days prior to the deadlines, to the state Flex Coordinator, Matt Womble.

Application elements to complete: Please download Attachment B, which must be completed by filling in all answers with highlighted grey boxes. This is provided in Microsoft Word Document format. Once all answers have been provided on the form, the document should be saved as, “applicant name flex application for funding_B.doc” and then emailed with the rest of the application documents. This application should include the signature page which can either have an electronic signature applied or a scanned copy of the file as a PDF document.

Please download Attachment C, which must be completed by filling in all appropriate line items on the budget. This is provided in Microsoft Excel Document format. Once all appropriate lines have been completed on the form, the document should be saved as, “applicant name flex application budget information_C.xls” and emailed with the rest of the application documents.

All documents should be emailed to Matt Womble prior to the deadline as described in this document.

Deadline for Submission: Agencies seeking funding for before August 31, 2012 should submit completed applications by email to Matt Womble at matt.womble@dhhs.nc.gov by no later than 5:00 PM July 30, 2012. Pages requiring signatures may either have an electronic signature applied or a scanned copy of the file as a PDF document. If email is not available or cannot be utilized as outlined in this document, all application materials must faxed or postmarked prior to the deadline and an email notification that package has been sent is requested.

How to Obtain Further Information: If you have questions, please contact Matt Womble via email at matt.womble@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 800-533-8847 or 919-715-1088.

Family Support and Respite Program Services

DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice: Division of Social Services/Child Welfare Services/Community Based Programs

Date of this notice: January 17, 2012.

Purpose: The purpose of the Request for Application (RFA) is to award grant funds through contract with outside sources to provide family support and respite program services. Family Support and Respite agencies, with a community collaboration of agencies and organizations, will provide services to prevent child abuse and neglect while improving the quality of life for children and their families. These services will promote strong families, healthy and safe children, and a safe and supportive community environment. If the contract is not executed, families and caregivers will be at risk of abuse and/or neglect of children.

The Division of Social Services will award a maximum of $12,000,000 in grant funds over a three-year grant cycle to community-based organizations that provide proposals with programs, services and activities focusing on family support and respite support services to children and their families. The RFA process needed as an essential competitive bid process for ensuring that the most comprehensive services are selected. Without it, the Division is without a competitive process by which to select qualified person(s)/agencies and services.

Description: The North Carolina Family Support and Respite Program will support community-based programs to provide outreach, support and services to individuals and families identified as being at-risk of compromised health and safety to eliminate or reduce those risks by promoting protective factors that strengthen and support families. Grants will be awarded throughout the state. The North Carolina Family Support and Respite Program will award funding to agencies that meet all of the following requirements:

1. Provide services based on the Principles of Family Support Practice. Please refer to the RFA, link provided below, for a description of these Principles.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to meaningful parent engagement and leadership opportunities.
3. Demonstrate collaborative relationships with community partners in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
4. Family Support programs can be defined as either Primary or Secondary prevention services. Respite services can be defined as either Secondary or Tertiary prevention services.
5. Serve target populations most at risk of child abuse of neglect.
6. Are designed to achieve positive outcomes for children and families who participate voluntarily. “Participants” is inclusive of parents with children with disabilities, parents with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and members of underserved and underrepresented groups.
7. Promote one or more of the five protective factors linked to lower incidence of child abuse and neglect.
8. Provide a service or implement a program that demonstrates an acceptable level of evidence-based or evidence informed practice.
9. Are able to demonstrate positive outcomes through the use of outcome accountability and evaluation tools.

Eligibility: Any tribal government, community–based, public or private nonprofit, tax-exempt organization (including faith-based), school system or local government agency that is duly incorporated and registered under North Carolina Statutes is eligible to apply. It is important that the proposed project does not overlap with existing programs in the county. Factors to take into account when considering program overlap are populations served, duplication of program sites, etc.

How to Apply: Please visit http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/pubnotice/index.htm to download the application.

Letter of Intent Due: January 20, 2012

Deadline for Submission: February 15, 2012

How to Obtain Further Information:

325 N. Salisbury Street
Mail Service Center 2410
Raleigh, NC 27699-2410
Office (919) 334-1150
Email: christina.disalvo@dhhs.nc.gov

Benchmarks and Evaluation for Communities Developing or Implementing Jurisdictionally Endorsed 10 Year Plans to End (Chronic) Homelessness

DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice: Aging and Adult Services

Date of this notice: January 6, 2012.

Purpose: This Request For Applications (RFA) seeks seek applicants that are currently working with 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness. The applicants will coordinate data reporting on homelessness in their community and submit an annual Accomplishment Report. The report will aid communities in recording baseline information and monitoring change over time in meeting the goals and objectives of their 10 Year Plans.

Description: Funds can be used to reimburse costs associated with the reporting of data related to 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness. Specifically, contractors will be expected to complete the Accomplishment Report for calendar year 2011. Successful applicants are not expected to cover the entire cost of collecting identified data with the contract from the ICCHP.

Successful applicants are encouraged to use contract funds to leverage local funds used to gather information identified in this Request For Applications (RFA). Regardless of additional local or federal funding the applicant is able to identify, the contract will require submission of complete deliverables for any reimbursement.

Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to designated lead agencies from communities engaged in developing or implementing jurisdictionally endorsed 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness or Chronic Homelessness. Signed letters from mayors, county chairs, or 10 Year Planning Steering/Leadership Committee Chairs are required to confirm lead agency status. Applications without endorsements recognizing them as lead agencies will not be considered.

How to Apply: Please review the RFA (link provided below) and submit the following:

1. Application Face Sheet (Attachment 1)
2. Narrative – Letter of Interest
   
   The narrative, which may be in letter form, should be no more than two pages and should provide all requested information outlined in the RFA.
   
   1. Experience with 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness
   2. Capacity to coordinate data collecting and reporting
3. Budget based on Scope of Services outlined in RFA
4. Proof of financial stability and viability via audit or other financial statements.
5. Confirmation of lead agency status. Signed letters from mayors, county chairs, or 10 Year Planning Steering/Leadership Committee Chairs are required to confirm lead agency status. Applications without this endorsement will not be considered.

Deadline for Submission: Applications are due Friday February 10, 2012 by 5:00 PM. Mailed applications must by postmarked by Friday February 10, 2012. Email submissions are acceptable and must be received by 5:00 PM, Friday February 10, 2012. If the applicant chooses email submission, the applicant must fax all signature pages by 5:00 PM, Friday February 10, 2012. Applications may be emailed to Martha.Are@dhhs.nc.gov. Signature pages may be faxed to (919) 733-5993.

Please send all applications directly to:

Martha Are
Housing & Homeless Unit Manager
NC Dept. of Health and Human Services
2101 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-2101.

How to Obtain Further Information: Interested applicants should download the Benchmarks and Evaluation for Communities Developing or Implementing Jurisdictionally Endorsed 10 Year Plans to End (Chronic) Homelessness RFA.

For questions please contact Martha.Are by phone at (919) 855-4994 or email at Martha.Are@dhhs.nc.gov. Answers to all inquires will be sent out via e-mail to all interested parties.

North Carolina Lifespan Respite Project Mini-Grant

DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice: Division of Aging and Adult Services

Date of this notice: December 30, 2011

Purpose: In 2009, North Carolina was awarded a small three-year grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging. The funds were made possible by the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006. NC is currently one of 30 states with this limited funding designed to encourage states to focus on respite services, strengthen a state’s collaboration and infrastructure for respite, and assist where possible in a coordinated system of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children or adults of all ages with special needs.

In 2011, NC was also awarded a small one-year expansion grant to be used primarily for direct respite services and community respite service enhancement. This Request for Applications is the process by which these expansion funds will be granted to organizations that are selected through a competitive process.

Description: The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), in partnership with the NC Respite Care Coalition and key stakeholders, is expanding the scope of the Lifespan Respite Care Project to provide respite services to individuals with unmet needs and to increase the impact of activities currently underway.

The goal of this one-year expansion project is to effectively fill identified gaps and address unmet respite needs of family caregivers across the lifespan. The objectives are to: 1) provide respite to identified caregiver audiences; 2) enhance effective use of respite services; and 3) further sustain the state’s “Just One More” initiative to bring new or enhanced respite services to each of NC’s 100 counties.

Eligibility: Public agencies and non-profit organizations that have a history of successfully delivering respite services have the opportunity to request funds in one or both of the following focus areas:

1. Direct Respite Service Funding for New Recipients Across the Lifespan
2. ”Just One More” Funding to Enhance and/or Expand Respite Services in Underserved Counties.

How to Apply: Please submit two copies of the complete Lifespan Respite Care Mini-Grant Application (see How to Obtain Further Information below) postmarked by February 15, 2012 to

Sophia Spencer
Service Operations
NC Division of Aging and Adult Services
2101 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699

Deadline for Submission: February 15, 2012

How to Obtain Further Information: Please download the Lifespan Respite Mini-Grant application.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation-Community Rehabilitation Programs

DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Date of this notice: May 26, 2011

Purpose: There are significant numbers of disabled consumers that need specialized evaluation, training and supports to reach their full vocational potential. According to the 2009 North Carolina with Disability Unemployment American Community Survey, about 408,000 (60%) of 968,000 North Carolinians with disabilities of working age are unemployed or underemployed.

The goal of these potential contracts is to provide assessment and training along with appropriate supports for Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) consumers with disabilities to reach successful competitive employment. The Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) will provide services (facility and/or community based) along with the supports needed to gain competitive employment.

CRP’s are integral partners in the network of services designed to provide people with disabilities with equal opportunities in achieving their highest level of economic and social independence.

Description: The objective of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to identify quality CRP’s that can provide services in the area of vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, work adjustment job coaching and supported employment. These services are developed to create employment opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities.

• Vocational Evaluation: Community or facility based vocational evaluation will assist in the assessment of an individual’s assets and liabilities, vocational strengths and weaknesses, along with their vocational potential. The information gathered from the assessment will be used in the development of the consumer’s Individual Plan for Employment (IPE).
• Work Adjustment Training: Includes activities to improve and increase productivity, attendance, punctuality, ability to work with others, ability to work under supervision and work tolerance.
• Work Adjustment Job Coaching: This is as a part of work adjustment training provided by CRPs. Work adjustment job coaching services are for consumers that will require on-the-job supports in order to be successful in their employment.
• Supportive Employment Services: This includes activities to provide job development, job placement, and intensive job coaching training along with extended support. These services, provided by a CRP, are greatly needed to enhance employment possibilities to some of our most significant disabled consumers whom will be in need of not only intensive training but also long term supports.

Funding Availability: Approximately 13 million dollars is available to be awarded. The reimbursement rates for services are established based on actual cost of the service provision. It is anticipated that we will award approximately 120 contracts to CRP’s. The maximum amount of a single award is dictated by the volume of consumer need within the local community.

Eligibility: Applicants are public and private profit or non-profit CRP’s. Applicants shall be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the Council on Accreditation (COA) or the Council on Quality Leadership (COL). In lieu of current accreditation or pending approval for accreditation at the time of application, a vendor shall provide evidence of training regarding accreditation before approval as a vendor, or evidence of training regarding accreditation is required within one year of vendor application with accreditation rendered within three years. A copy of the accreditation shall be submitted to the Division. Each CRP shall comply with the accessibility and nondiscrimination standards set forth in federal and state law. The agency may deny funding to and refuse to contract with any CRP which fails to comply with such provisions. In addition, to the above requirements, ONE of the following two conditions must be true:

• A CRP shall have a minimum of three years of experience as a service provider in the area of service delivery for they are seeking approval.
• Key staff providing direct client services for the CRP (such as the coordinator of the program) must have a minimum of three years experience providing services in the area for which the CRP is applying to become an approved vendor.

Once the community rehabilitation program is an approved vendor they shall maintain accreditation in the areas that they are providing service for the Division. A copy of the current accreditation must be submitted to the Division. The CRP must maintain accessibility and nondiscrimination standards. A community rehabilitation program shall comply with the accessibility and nondiscrimination standards set forth in federal and state law. The Division may deny funding to and refuse to contract with any community rehabilitation program which fails to comply with such provisions.

A CRP that is approved as a new vendor shall agree to a fee for service rate of reimbursement. After five years of business with the Division, in which an excellent standard of service under fee for service is observed through documented reviews by Division staff, a CRP shall have the option to move from fee for service to outcome reimbursement. The following criteria must be met:

1. Accreditation as defined in this Rule.
2. A five year business relationship with the Division.
3. Adherence to all standards for community rehabilitation programs set forth in this Rule without documentation of serious findings.
4. Three year average expenditures at or above the level agreed upon by the Division and CRPs and funds are available.
5. Achievement at or above the annual program outcome levels agreed on between the Division and the community rehabilitation program.
6. Letter from the Division Regional Director indicating that there is a client service need that can be met by the provider.

If the above criteria in (a)-(f) are met, the Division may allow the vendor to move to outcome-based funding.

How to Apply: Please see the Community Rehabilitation page on the DVRS public web site to obtain the information to start the process to apply. Prospective CRP providers of supported-employment services, work-adjustment training, and work-adjustment job coaching or community-based assessment are encouraged to contact your regional CRP specialist before beginning the process of becoming a VR-approved CRP vender. Below are steps in the application process:

1. Review North Carolina’s “Community Rehabilitation Program Standards”.
2. Contact a regional CRP specialist (listed below) to discuss the need for services in your area.
3. Complete the Community Rehabilitation Program and Supported Employment Vendor Application.
4. Submit your application and supporting documentation to the CRP specialist in your area.
5. You will be contacted within 30 days for further information or about your application’s status.
6. If your application is complete, you’ll be contacted for an on-site review by a VR representative.
7. Final approval will be determined only after a complete application packet is received and a satisfactory on-site review has been conducted.

Deadline for Submission: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, subject to conditions described in the application process posted on the website links provided above. Contracts are issued for a 12 month period, based on the state fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.

How to Obtain Further Information: Please contact your local DVRS office or go the DVRS web site: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dvrs/employ/rehab.htm

DHHS Interpreting Services Vendor List (ISVL) Request for Applications

DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice:Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing

Date of this notice: May 18, 2009

Purpose: The objective of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to create a list for Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) staff to schedule sign language interpreter/transliterator services. There are two RFAs, one for individual (freelance) interpreters and the other for interpreter services agencies. The vendor list will be used by Divisions, Sections, Branches, Units, Offices, Facilities, Institutions, or Schools of the Department (DHHS) to secure sign language interpreting services to facilitate communication access needs for both staff and consumers who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind on an as needed basis.

Description: DHHS and its Divisions, Sections, Branches, Units, Offices, Facilities, Institutions, or Schools have issued this RFA to satisfy the demands of the DHHS Communication Accessibility Provision and the Americans with Disabilities Act in addition to benefiting their clients, consumers and staff in providing communication access. By offering sign language interpreting services communication equivalency is achieved. All parties using this service will rightfully and equally obtain and share information, better express ideas, issues, and concerns without the constraints of communication/language barriers. This promotes a positive environment in the care, concern and wellbeing of all DHHS clients, consumers and staff.

The list is designed to:

• Provide a vendor list of licensed sign language interpreters and interpreter services agencies for the provision of interpreting services.
• Establish standards for the procurement and payment of contractors.

Each DHHS Division, Section, Branch, Unit, Office, Facility, Institution, or School may utilize the ISVL list to easily identify and secure quality sign language interpreting services for meetings, staffing, client needs, trainings, and community forums, public hearings and other DHHS related events, in the shortest amount of time possible at a standard hourly rate.

Eligibility:

• If applying as an individual, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she possesses a valid North Carolina Interpreter and Transliterator License issued pursuant to Chapter 90D of the North Carolina General Statutes;
• If applying as an agency, the applicant must provide interpreters who possess a valid North Carolina Interpreter and Transliterator License issued pursuant to Chapter 90D of the North Carolina General Statutes;
• All interested applicants must have attended a mandatory DHHS ISVL Pre-Application Information Session (viewing of DVD, question and answer) listed in the RFA. If the applicant was unable to attend any of the sessions provided, he or she must contact the nearest DSDHH Regional Center (RC) to schedule an appointment to view the DVD. To locate the nearest RC, go to www.ncdhhs.gov/dsdhh/ and click on "find a regional center".

How to Apply:Please contact Pat Stivland, contact information provided below.

Deadline for Submission: Applications may be received anytime from the date of this notice and throughout the term of this contract (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012)

How to Obtain Further Information:

Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
Attn: ISVL Contract Administrator
2301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2301
Phone: (919) 874-2212 V
Email: Pat.Stivland@dhhs.nc.gov

Physical Address:

DSDHH
Woodoak Building, GL-3
1100 Navaho Drive
Raleigh,NC 27609

DHHS Computer Assisted Notetaking Services Vendor List (CANSVL)

DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice: Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing.

Date of this notice: July 1, 2011.

Purpose: The objective of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to create an on-going list of qualified companies that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) staff can use when obtaining Computer Assisted Note taking (CAN) services. This vendor list will be used by all employees of DHHS Divisions, Institutions and Offices to secure CAN services to facilitate communication access needs for both staff and consumers on an as needed basis.

Description: DHHS and its Divisions and Offices have a continual need to provide reasonable accommodation to it’s staff, clients and consumers in compliance with the Communication Accessibility Provision and the American with Disabilities Act. Offering CAN services in addition to other of ways facilitating communication such as Sign Language Interpreter Services, it helps to achieve functional equivalency. All parties using this service will rightfully and equally obtain and share information, better express ideas, issues, and concerns without the constraints of communication/language barriers. This promotes a positive environment in the care, concern and wellbeing of all DHHS clients, consumers and staff.

This list is designed to:

Provide a vendor list of qualified companies that can provide statewide CAN services to all of DHHS as needed.

Establish standards including rate of pay for companies wishing to be on this list to provide CAN Services.

Each DHHS Division and Office can utilize the CAN list to easily identify and secure qualified CAN services for meetings, staffing, client needs, trainings, and community forums, public hearings and other Division or Office events, in the shortest amount of time possible at a standard hourly rate.

Eligibility:

Application proves company can perform services stated in the scope of work;

Must have adequate trained staff employed or under contract to be able to provide statewide CAN Services;

Must have on file documentation of notetakers ability to type at a minimum of 65 wpm;

Must have on file documentation of certification, credentials as court reporter or skills certification from transcription training program.

Rated good or better by companies currently under contract with these services provided.

Contractor’s notetaker staff must have:

• Ability to keep up with the verbal message at a minimum of 12th grade English level; GED or High School diploma, college degree preferred either AA or 4 year;
• Minimum typing speed of at least 65 wpm;
• Ability to portray visual messages with minimum spelling and typing errors;
• Experience in the utilization of specialized equipment.

How to Apply: Please contact Pat Stivland to request a copy of the Request for Applications. Contact information is listed below. Information about the RFA is also available in the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing website: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dsdhh/business/ and click on the link; “For Computer-Assisted Notetaking Service Agencies” under the “Contracting with Us” bullet.

Deadline for Submission: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, subject to conditions described in the application process. Current CANSVL vendors (companies) may renew by submitting an updated Application Execution Page form with an updated W-9 form and updated business license to the Contract Administrator by June 15, 2011 in order to begin work effective July 1, 2011. Vendors whose applications are submitted after June 15, 2011, must wait to receive a confirmation letter from the Contract Administrator that will indicate their effective date of inclusion into the list.

How to Obtain Further Information:

Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
Attn: CANSVL Contract Administrator
2301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2301
Phone: (919) 874-2212 V
Email: Pat.Stivland@dhhs.nc.gov

Physical Address:

Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
1100 Navaho Drive, GL-3
Raleigh, NC 27609