DSP Workforce Expansion in Excellence Grant

The DSP Workforce Expansion in Excellence grant is offered by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, a state-level body dedicated to improving independence, productivity, and community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Council operates under federal authority and funding, aligning its initiatives with national priorities to strengthen systems of support. This particular funding opportunity is rooted in the Council’s long-term strategic planning and public survey findings, which identified workforce shortages as a major barrier to independent living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The primary purpose of this grant is to expand and strengthen the pipeline of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) while also addressing transportation barriers that limit access to services. The initiative responds to persistent workforce instability, including high turnover rates within the DSP field, often driven by low wages, limited benefits, and insufficient training. By funding projects that improve recruitment, training, and retention strategies, the Council aims to stabilize and grow the workforce that supports individuals with disabilities in leading self-directed lives. Funding supports a wide range of system-level and capacity-building activities. These include outreach, training programs, technical assistance, research, interagency collaboration, and demonstration of innovative approaches. Projects may also address transportation, accessibility, technology use, sustainability, and scalability. The Council emphasizes systemic change, meaning that funded activities should not only address immediate needs but also create lasting improvements in service delivery systems and workforce infrastructure across Ohio. The grant provides $50,000 in federal funding for a one-year project period, with a required match of $16,666.67. Additional reduced match requirements may apply for projects serving federally designated poverty areas. Funding is contingent on availability and may be continued in future years based on performance and funding conditions. All expenditures must comply with federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200, and applicants must provide detailed budget justifications outlining both federal and matching contributions. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, with no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply. Applicants may include nonprofits, for-profit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, or individuals working through an organizational structure. However, all applicants must meet federal and state administrative requirements, including maintaining active registration in SAM.gov, obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier, and securing a State of Ohio Supplier ID prior to award issuance. The application process requires submission through the DD Suite system and includes several mandatory components. Applicants must provide a detailed budget justification, three letters of recommendation, a project director resume, organizational documentation, and multiple compliance forms. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as project narrative, outreach to underserved populations, inclusion of individuals with disabilities, budget justification, and alignment with Council goals. The deadline for submission is July 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM, with project implementation expected to begin October 1, 2026 and conclude September 30, 2027. Questions may be directed to Council staff prior to specified deadlines.

Ensure budget justification is detailed and clearly ties costs to objectives; prioritize workforce pipeline and retention strategies; demonstrate outreach to underserved populations; use clear and accessible language in proposal