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GRANTS PROGRAMS

Questions About Partnership Funds and Innovative Grants

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities for Georgia authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000, is one of 55 entities of its type in the United States and territories that reports to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

The GCDD makes funds available to fulfill its mission in accordance with the Act and the Council's Five Year Strategic Plan.  Through its funding, the GCDD works to increase the capacities and resources of public and private non-profits entities and others to develop a comprehensive community system that responds to the choices, capabilities and needs of persons with developmental disabilities and their families.  The purpose of Council grants are to expand best practices and contribute to system wide changes that support the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their full inclusion as community members.  Recipients of Council grants are expected to be ongoing partners bringing about change.

The GCDD is authorized to grant funds to public and non-profit entities, and for profit organizations.  The funding of projects is contingent on the GCDD's receipt of sufficient federal funds.  Changes in the level of federal appropriations to the Council may result in the withdrawal of some or all projects or reduction in funding after the announcement of a grant award.  The GCDD assumes no responsibility for costs incurred by applicants prior to formal awarding of a grant and reserves the right not to fund a proposal requested in the project area.

There are no current grant solicitations available

Project Search Statewide Initiative

PROJECT SEARCH Selects the Sites for Georgia’s Statewide Initiative

On December 16, 2007, the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities in collaboration with Project SEARCH and Briggs & Associates hosted a kick-off meeting to generate interest in replicating Project SEARCH as a statewide initiative.  Project SEARCH is a high school transition program that began in Cincinnati and is currently being replicated all across the US and internationally.

Two hundred and sixty-six people crowded into the Freight Depot that day to hear from the co-directors, Erin Riehle and Susie Rutkowski.  They shared their history and learning experiences in working successfully with businesses to employ young people with disabilities in interesting careers.  Briggs & Associates who have replicated Project SEARCH in the Atlanta area rallied employers, teachers, and job coaches to share their perspectives that day.  Fifty eight school systems were represented at the kick-off meeting.

Applications to be part of the Statewide Initiative were given out at the Kick-off meeting and were due February 12^th.  The following counties were selected to be part of the new

Project SEARCH Statewide Initiative: 

                               Chatham County                       Clarke County

                              Coffee County                          Dougherty County

                              Forsyth County                        Hall County

                             Walton County                         Whitfield County

These communities will develop and strengthen their collaboration with the school system, a supported employment agency, vocational rehabilitation, and a business.  The business will provide classroom space and the school system will identify students and assign a teacher to work with those students within the business setting.  This provides intensive learning opportunities and on-the-job support as students learn all the aspects of that business through rotating internships.  The ultimate goal is for students to be gainfully employed in an interesting and challenging job by the time that they graduate from high school.

The Project SEARCH staff from Cincinnati and staff from Briggs & Associates will provide technical assistance to these communities as they work to make Project SEARCH a reality.  There are high standards in replicating this high school transition program and the Governor’s Council will be closely monitoring to make sure that all the sites maintain the integrity set forth by Project SEARCH.

Partnership Fund -  The Partnership Fund supports the participation of people with developmental disabilities and their families in educational, policymaking, training and advocacy activities. The Fund makes money available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members, groups and  public and private organizations.