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Next Council Meeting: April 23-24, 2026 (Atlanta)

Notice of Funds Available

A Notice of Funds Available (NoFA) is a competitive grant opportunity. When GCDD issues a NoFA, it is posted to this page and on the DD Suite Grant Application website.

See below for current NOFAs. Subscribe to our email list to receive notifications when new NoFAs are available. 

Family Advocates Coalition

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to establish, strengthen, and sustain a statewide coalition of families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to advance systems change, improve access to services and supports, and elevate family voices in policy development and implementation across Georgia.

Schedule of Events

This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following Schedule of Events:

  • Applications Due By – March 31, 2026
  • Contracts Due By - April 20, 2026
  • Project Begins - May 1, 2026

Link to apply: https://www.ddsuite.org/?nofa_id=2268 

Scope of Work - Request For Proposals

The project will:

  • Build a diverse, representative, and inclusive statewide family advocacy coalition;
  • Strengthen the capacity of families to engage in effective advocacy at the local and state levels;
  • Promote coordination and shared policy priorities among families, self-advocates, and disability organizations; and
  • Support informed participation in public policy processes affecting Medicaid, waiver services, education, employment, housing, community living, and healthcare.

Required Activities

The selected applicant shall perform the following activities:

A. Coalition Development and Governance

  1. Recruit and engage families from underserved geographic regions, racial and ethnic backgrounds, disability types, and age groups (children, transition-age youth, and adults).
  2. Establish a formal coalition structure, including governance processes, leadership roles, and decision-making protocols.
  3. Develop and maintain a coalition charter or bylaws outlining mission, values, membership criteria, and operating procedures.
  4. Facilitate regular coalition meetings (at least quarterly), with options for virtual participation to ensure statewide access.

B. Family Engagement and Outreach

  1. Conduct targeted outreach to underserved and rural communities to ensure balanced participation.
  2. Develop accessible outreach materials explaining coalition goals, advocacy opportunities, and participation options.
  3. Maintain a centralized system for coalition communications, such as an email listserv, website page, or online collaboration platform.
  4. Support meaningful participation by families through accommodations, stipends, language access, and accessible meeting formats.

C. Advocacy Training and Capacity Building

1. Design and deliver advocacy training for family members, including but not limited to:

  • Understanding Georgia’s education system for children, adolescents and young adults with I/DD.
  • Understanding Georgia’s I/DD service system (DBHDD, Medicaid waivers, service coordination);
  • Legislative and regulatory processes at the state and federal levels;
  • Effective storytelling and communicating with policymakers;
  • Media engagement and public education strategies;
  • Disability rights and person-centered principles.

2. Provide at least two (2) statewide trainings or learning events per project year, with additional regional or virtual sessions.

3. Develop and distribute advocacy toolkits and plain-language educational materials.

D. Policy Analysis and Issue Identification

  1. Facilitate coalition input to collaborate with GCDD to identify and prioritize key policy and systems issues impacting individuals with I/DD and their families in Georgia.
  2. Coordinate structured feedback mechanisms (surveys, listening sessions, focus groups, or forums).
  3. Produce an annual family-driven policy agenda or priority statement to provide GCDD to inform GCDD’s policy agenda.
  4. Track relevant state legislation, administrative rulemaking, and budget developments affecting the families of people with IDD.

E. Collaboration and Systems Coordination

1. Establish and maintain working relationships with relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to:
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD);

  • Georgia Advocacy Office;
  • Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD);
  • DBHDD;
  • Provider associations;
  • Other disability and family-led organizations.

2. Participate in statewide disability planning, advisory, or stakeholder meetings as appropriate.

3. Promote alignment and shared messaging with other advocacy entities while maintaining the independent voice of families.

F. Public Awareness and Communications

  1. Develop and implement a communications strategy to elevate family perspectives on I/DD issues in Georgia in alignment with GCDD.
  2. Produce periodic newsletters, policy briefs, or fact sheets in accessible formats.
  3. Support families in participating in public hearings, legislative days, advisory councils, and community forums.
  4. Document and share coalition accomplishments and outcomes.

Deliverables

At minimum, the contractor shall produce:

  • A coalition governance document (charter/bylaws);
  • Documentation of coalition membership and meetings;
  • Demographic and contact information for coalition members;
  • Training curricula and materials;
  • Annual family advocacy agenda/priorities document;
  • Outreach and communications materials;

Performance Expectations

The contractor is expected to:

  • Demonstrate measurable growth in family participation;
  • Ensure meaningful representation from multiple regions of Georgia;
  • Show evidence of increased family knowledge and advocacy capacity;
  • Document engagement with policymakers and systems partners;
  • Operate in a culturally competent, trauma-informed, and disability-affirming manner.

Link to apply: https://www.ddsuite.org/?nofa_id=2268