NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2009
Contacts: Andrea Peña, Executive Director of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, 701-328-4847, or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, 701-328-4933
State Council on Developmental Disabilities invites agencies and programs to apply for grant funding
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities announced today that grant funding is available to support projects that enhance opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Interested organizations can obtain information online at www.ndscdd.org or by contacting the council at 701-328-4847 or apena@nd.gov. Grant applications are due July 31, 2009.
Council Executive Director Andrea Peña said the 19-member council distributes funds annually, and has historically provided start-up funds for innovative programs that continue to directly benefit people with developmental disabilities. These include para-transit services, pre-natal screenings, education for expectant mothers to help prevent birth defects, guardianship services, respite care for families, consumer training to promote employment, self-advocacy solutions, the Family-to-Family peer support project, after-school programs, and other initiatives.
Council members include individuals with developmental disabilities, parents and other immediate relatives, guardians, representatives from the North Dakota Department of Human Services and its Developmental Center, Job Service North Dakota, the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Health, the Protection and Advocacy Project, and the N.D. Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University. Community-based service providers are also represented.
Last year the council approved 11 grants totaling over $363,000 for projects and services that supported employment, education, early intervention, and community supports for persons with developmental disabilities, as well as quality assurance efforts.
# # #
Sent by:
Heather Steffl
Public Information Officer
N.D. Department of Human Services
701-328-4933
hsteffl@nd.gov