Each year, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities fulfills its responsibilities by distributing nearly $1.9 million in federal funds for projects and activities. The Council disseminates these funds to a wide variety of grantees. Grantees may be state or local advocacy organizations, grassroots disability groups, state or local governmental agencies or such community groups as churches, transit systems or local schools. Most of the Council's funds are given out competitively in "requests for applications" (RFAs). An RFA presents an idea that the Council would like to see implemented and asks the potential grantee to describe how the idea might be implemented. RFAs are published at least once a year. The Council also provides a limited amount of funds on a non-competitive basis.
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demonstrate that people with disabilities, provided the proper supports, can do meaningful work in the community for competitive wages ("supported employment")
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advance policies that assist people with disabilities in owning or leasing their own home and accessing the in-home services and supports they need to live there ("home of your own")
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ensure that children with DD grow up at home with a family ("family support") and go to school with their peers ("school inclusion")
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support people in advocating for themselves and playing a leadership role in local, state and national policy making ("partners in policymaking")
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provide funds for people with developmental disabilities and families to attend conferences, workshops and policy-making forums to build their knowledge and leadership skills ("participant involvement fund")
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ensure that state and federal resources are invested in ways that support all people with DD in living valued lives in the community
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promote full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and advance the Supreme Court’s community integration mandate
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enhance the control people with disabilities and their families have over the dollars and other resources used to support them ("self-determination," "family support")
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support people with disabilities in having meaningful relationships and friendships
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inform policy makers and the public regarding people with developmental disabilities
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promote the contribution of people with developmental disabilities to their communities, consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities and capabilities
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provide funds for conferences, policy studies, research, technical assistance and evaluation
