Statewide Legislative Advocacy Training and Engagement (SLATE) Grant

The Statewide Legislative Advocacy Training and Engagement (SLATE) grant is offered by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, a state-level body funded through federal resources to promote independence, inclusion, and productivity for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council operates under federal guidelines tied to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and prioritizes systemic change, advocacy, and capacity building. This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen civic engagement and advocacy infrastructure across Ohio by equipping individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and stakeholders with the knowledge and opportunities needed to influence public policy. The purpose of the SLATE project is to enhance grassroots advocacy and legislative engagement by facilitating direct interaction between constituents and policymakers. The initiative centers on improving advocacy knowledge and participation through structured training and ongoing legislative education. A major component of the project is the organization of an annual, large-scale advocacy event held at the Ohio Statehouse during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This event is intended to connect participants directly with legislators and their staff, fostering dialogue and increasing awareness of issues affecting the developmental disabilities community. In addition to the annual advocacy day, the project requires the implementation of recurring legislative briefing sessions throughout the year. These sessions are designed to educate lawmakers and their staff about the complexities of Ohio’s developmental disabilities system, including funding structures, service delivery models, and policy challenges. By maintaining consistent engagement, the program aims to create a continuous cycle of informed advocacy and policymaking, ensuring that both advocates and legislators are equipped with relevant knowledge and context. The funding scope includes support for activities such as event planning and execution, participant recruitment and training, development of educational materials, coordination with partner organizations, and facilitation of legislative briefings. Allowable costs must comply with federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200, including requirements for cost reasonableness, allocability, and documentation. The project requires a matching contribution, which may include cash or in-kind resources, and must be clearly documented in the application’s budget justification. Matching funds are essential to demonstrate commitment and leverage additional support for project activities. Eligibility for this grant is broad, with no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply. This includes nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations. Applicants must, however, meet federal compliance requirements such as maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov and obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier. Additional prerequisites include securing a State of Ohio Supplier ID and submitting all required documentation, including letters of recommendation, resumes, organizational information, and compliance forms. The application process is conducted through the DD Suite platform and requires completion of multiple components, including a narrative outline, project work plan, budget, and supporting documentation. Applicants must provide a detailed budget justification explaining both federal and matching expenditures. Evaluation of applications is conducted by a grant review panel using criteria such as project narrative quality, organizational qualifications, outreach strategies, and alignment with Council priorities. The application deadline for this opportunity is July 10, 2026, with project implementation scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026, and conclude on September 30, 2027. Awards are competitive, with a total federal funding amount of $85,000 allocated for this project, supplemented by required matching funds. Continued funding beyond the initial project period is contingent upon performance and availability of funds. Grantees are subject to ongoing reporting requirements, including periodic program and financial reports, and must adhere to accessibility, outreach, and inclusion standards established by the Council. The SLATE grant represents a strategic investment in strengthening advocacy capacity and fostering meaningful collaboration between the disability community and policymakers in Ohio.

Ensure detailed budget justification clearly separates federal and matching funds; prioritize strong outreach strategy to underserved populations; include complete and compliant documentation to avoid disqualification; align proposal with advocacy and policy engagement goals