National Council on Disability
Prerelease Notice

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act:  Implementation Evaluation and Recommendations for Reauthorization

April 29, 2008 - Initial Announcement of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity for a Cooperative Agreement:  NCD-08-01
Application materials will be made available on May 12, 2008 at www.ncd.gov
Applications may also be requested by writing to:
Julie Carroll
National Council on Disability
1331 F St NW Ste 850
Washington, DC  20004
or by e-mail request at: jcarroll@ncd.gov
Applications will be due on June 18, 2008
Maximum amount available for this project:  $150,000
All potential applicants are eligible to apply
Cost sharing is not required

Project Overview
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency charged with making recommendations to Congress and the Administration on issues, policies, and laws affecting people with disabilities. It is NCD's mission to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability, and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

NCD's statutory duties include, among other things, to review and evaluate on a continuing basis:

• Policies, programs, practices, and procedures concerning individuals with disabilities conducted or assisted by Federal departments and agencies, including programs established or assisted under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and
• All statutes and regulations pertaining to Federal programs, which assist such individuals with disabilities.

NCD will undertake a one-year project to study the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the programs and services established by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (hereinafter the DD Act) and to develop recommendations for improvements that will enhance the quality of life and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

The purpose of this project is to:

• Examine how the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), administers, supports, monitors, evaluates, and holds accountable, the programs and services under the DD Act including the Amendments of 2000, and
• Evaluate select programs and services authorized under the DD Act, including:

(1) State Councils on Developmental Disabilities;
(2) The Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD) programs;
(3) The National Network of Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service;
(4) Projects of National Significance;
(5) Federal administration of separate grants for Family Support; and
(6) Program of Direct Support for Workers who assist individuals with developmental disabilities.

Proposals responding to this RFP should describe:
The suggested framework for evaluating the effectiveness, implementation, and impact of the DD Act;
The criteria and methodology for measuring overall performance at the federal, state, and program levels;
The criteria and methodology for measuring progress in the "areas of emphasis;"
The criteria and methodology for measuring program-specific performance; and
The criteria and methodology for measuring outcomes and consumer satisfaction.

Partnerships and collaborative efforts are encouraged to ensure that appropriate expertise is brought to bear on this complex project involving diverse stakeholders. Input must be gathered from individuals with disabilities, their family members and care providers, as well as professionals and advocates in the developmental disabilities field.