Lt. Gov. Crouch: OCRA, DDRS open Round 2 of Community Connections for People with Disabilities Grant

INDIANAPOLIS (March 22, 2021) – Today, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced that the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Services (DDRS) have opened Round 2 of the Community Connections for People with Disabilities (CCPWD) grant program. Awardees are eligible for up to $200,000 in funding.

The CCPWD grant encourages Indiana cities, towns and counties to partner with local community disability organizations in developing innovative activities that address COVID-19-related barriers to community inclusion.
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"It is critical that Hoosiers work together to ensure all people are included as Indiana pushes through the pandemic, as we get back to normal and as more in-person interactions resume," Crouch said. "With 11 different Hoosier communities already awarded funding, this round will further assist individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities."

(Audio available)

Round 2 builds upon the success of the initial round of CCPWD funding, expanding the grant opportunity to more local non-profit community disability organizations. Indiana communities applying for Round 2 funding may now partner with the following qualifying non-profit community disability organizations:

• A developmental disabilities organization enrolled as a DDRS – Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services provider;
• An Indiana Center for Independent Living recognized by DDRS;
• A community mental health center certified by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction;
• A community rehabilitation provider enrolled as a DDRS – Bureau of Rehabilitation Services provider;
• An Indiana Local Education Agency (LEA) currently delivering special education to students aged 18 to 22; or
• A special education cooperative formed according to IC 20-35-5.

​Round 2 of the CCPWD grant also addresses the changing realities of the COVID-19 public health emergency by targeting activities designed to assist Hoosier adults with disabilities in preparing for a return to in-person interactions in the workplace and community. Applicants seeking funding in Round 2 of the CCPWD grant will be asked to develop grant activities addressing:

• Issues of social isolation and lost access to natural supports (family, friends, etc.); or
• Issues of lost employment and training opportunities.

The Round 2 CCPWD grant application is now open and will close May 20, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET. An informational webinar will be held March 24, 2021 for interested parties.

Round 2 grant awardees will be announced in June 2021. 

Round 1 of the CCWPD grant awarded funds to 11 recipients, totaling $1.63 million to implement activities addressing internet access and social isolation.

Find more information on the CCPWD grant program, including instructions on accessing the March 24 informational webinar.