Regional Self-Employment Teams Grant

The Regional Self-Employment Teams grant is offered by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, a state-level entity funded through federal resources under Public Law 106-402 and aligned with the Administration for Community Living. The Council’s mission is to improve independence, productivity, and community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This funding opportunity is part of a broader systems-change strategy focused on eliminating barriers to community participation, enhancing service systems, and promoting economic self-sufficiency through employment and entrepreneurship. The purpose of this grant is to support the development and implementation of Regional Self-Employment Teams across designated regions within Ohio. These teams are intended to provide coordinated support, training, and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities who are pursuing self-employment opportunities. The initiative builds on prior efforts such as the Self-Employment Think Tank launched by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, which convenes stakeholders including entrepreneurs, families, service providers, and state agencies to expand economic pathways for individuals with disabilities. Funding will be used to support activities that promote outreach, education, collaboration, and system redesign. Allowable activities include developing regional teams, delivering training and education to stakeholders, supporting individuals in business development, and fostering interagency coordination. Applicants are expected to consider accessibility, transportation, technology use, sustainability, and cultural diversity in their proposals. The grant emphasizes systemic impact, including improving community awareness and removing barriers to employment and entrepreneurship. The funding structure includes federal funds of 65000 dollars per year, with a required match of 21666.67 dollars and an additional poverty-related match component of 7222.22 dollars. Projects are expected to operate on an annual funding cycle, with continued funding contingent on availability and performance. The funding is competitive and subject to federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200, including cost principles and audit requirements. Eligibility is broad, with no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply. Applicants may include nonprofits, for-profit organizations, government entities, and individuals applying through an organizational structure. All applicants must meet federal and state compliance requirements, including registration in SAM.gov, possession of a Unique Entity Identifier, and registration as a supplier with the State of Ohio. Applicants must also maintain active registrations throughout the application and award period. The application process requires submission through the DD Suite platform and includes multiple required components. Applicants must submit a detailed budget justification, three letters of recommendation, a project director resume, board member information if applicable, proof of nonprofit status if relevant, and several required forms including assurances and federal certifications. Applications must be submitted by July 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Questions are directed to designated Council staff prior to a specified cutoff date. Evaluation of applications is conducted by a grant review panel using a structured scoring system that assesses executive summary, qualifications, narrative, outreach strategy, inclusion, budget, and project outcomes. Projects are expected to align with defined outputs and performance measures, including training counts, participant engagement, and development of promising practices. The project period runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with potential continuation across multiple years based on performance and funding availability.

Ensure all required attachments are included as missing documents result in automatic disqualification; Provide detailed and clearly justified budget aligned to project objectives; Align proposal with stated outputs and performance measures