Customized Employment Initiative

The Customized Employment Initiative is a funding opportunity offered by the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities, a state agency dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through programs that promote inclusion, self advocacy, and participation in community life. This initiative is aligned with broader state and federal priorities, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and New York’s Employment First policy, which emphasize competitive integrated employment as a preferred outcome for individuals with developmental disabilities. The program is designed as a systems level intervention to strengthen employment outcomes statewide. The primary purpose of the grant is to identify and eliminate gaps in customized employment services across New York State. Customized employment refers to individualized job development strategies that align the strengths and interests of individuals with developmental disabilities with employer needs. The selected grantee will work collaboratively with service providers, businesses, and state agencies to enhance service delivery, improve coordination, and build sustainable employment pathways. The initiative includes both technical assistance and cultural transformation components to ensure that employment services are delivered effectively and consistently. Funding is available for one grantee, with awards of up to 350000 dollars per year over a four year period, totaling up to 1400000 dollars, subject to funding availability. The contract period is anticipated to begin on October 1, 2026 and end on September 30, 2030. Funds must be used to provide training, technical assistance, assessment tools, and system improvements related to customized employment services. All services provided under the grant must be offered at no cost to participants, and no expenses may be reimbursed through federal funding streams. Applicants must also meet a required match of at least 34 percent using non federal sources. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public or private institutions such as universities and hospitals, disability service organizations, community based organizations, tribal organizations, and partnerships among these entities. The lead applicant must be a nonprofit organization, although for profit entities may participate as subcontractors. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in customized employment, the ability to train providers, and the capacity to build relationships across stakeholders. Additionally, all nonprofit applicants must be registered and prequalified in the Statewide Financial System prior to submission. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Statewide Financial System. Required components include a detailed work plan, budget, program specific responses, and various compliance documents such as certifications and insurance documentation. Proposals will be evaluated through a two stage process, including an eligibility review and a programmatic review scored on criteria such as plan of action, organizational capacity, evaluation strategy, and sustainability. A minimum score threshold is required for funding consideration, and the highest scoring proposal will receive the award. The application timeline includes an RFP release date of June 29, 2026, a deadline for questions on July 10, 2026, and a proposal due date of August 7, 2026. Award announcements are anticipated by September 8, 2026, with the contract starting on October 1, 2026. Questions must be directed exclusively to the designated issuing officer, and applicants are restricted from contacting other agency personnel. The program includes quarterly reporting requirements and emphasizes long term sustainability through the development of tools, training resources, and a shareable guide to maintain improvements beyond the grant period.

Focus on strong plan of action sustainability and evaluation criteria align budget with deliverables demonstrate CE expertise