Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2023 ACL AOD UCDA 0049
This grant opportunity, titled Disaster Assistance for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service Disability Programs in Puerto Rico and Florida (HHS-2023-ACL-AOD-UCDA-0049), is a targeted funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living (ACL). It is designed to strengthen disaster response and long-term recovery for people with disabilities who were affected by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, with a specific focus on Puerto Rico and Florida. The underlying goal is to make sure emergency planning and disaster recovery efforts are truly inclusive of people with disabilities, so that individuals can remain supported in their communities rather than being pushed into institutional settings when local systems are disrupted.
ACL is emphasizing that people with disabilities often face added risks during disasters because they may rely on supports that can quickly become scarce after a major storm, such as personal care assistance, accessible transportation, electricity-dependent medical equipment, medications, and accessible housing options. The opportunity recognizes that ACL-funded disability networks have longstanding relationships in their communities, strong knowledge of local resources, and proven experience helping people navigate services. Those networks can play a practical, on-the-ground role during recovery by coordinating services, identifying gaps, and helping ensure shelters, temporary housing, and community services are accessible and safe.
The funding is meant to fill a critical gap: although organizations in the Aging and Disability Network have been responding using funding streams like the Older Americans Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Developmental Disabilities Act, those sources are not designed to directly cover disaster-specific work. As a result, programs have been forced to redirect funds away from regular services to address hurricane-related emergencies. This grant is intended to provide dedicated resources for immediate needs and longer-term recovery activities that support older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers in hurricane-impacted communities.
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement under CFDA 93.632, within the Income Security and Social Services activity category. The program anticipates making about three awards, with an award ceiling listed at up to $4,000,000. The opportunity was posted March 24, 2023, with an application deadline of April 24, 2023 (electronic submissions due by 11:59 p.m. ET).
Eligibility is directed to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) authorized under Subtitle D of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Act, specifically the designated UCEDDs serving Florida and Puerto Rico. In practice, this means the eligible applicant must be the officially designated UCEDD in the state or territory. The funding is also explicitly intended to supplement, not replace, existing UCEDD funding, which is an important compliance requirement and must be affirmed by the applicant.
The types of activities ACL highlights are practical recovery and support services that can be deployed quickly and tailored to what affected communities actually need. Allowable or encouraged uses include staffing support for response and recovery work (including case management), purchasing program materials and supplies needed for response, broad outreach and information and referral for people with disabilities, and monitoring shelters or temporary living settings for health, wellness, and safety concerns. The grant also supports coordination with emergency response partners and other state and local agencies so disability needs are integrated into broader disaster operations rather than treated as an afterthought.
The opportunity places a strong emphasis on helping people avoid unnecessary institutional placement and on supporting community living. Examples include case management and transition support for individuals who were placed in skilled nursing facilities during the disaster period, assistance replacing lost or damaged durable medical equipment, supplies, and medications, and direct supports like food assistance (including home-delivered groceries or meals) and personal hygiene items. Applicants can also use funds to help people access personal care assistance and transportation, locate new accessible housing, and support home modifications when returning home is possible but requires accessibility improvements. Advocacy is also explicitly included, allowing UCEDDs to represent and elevate disability-related needs with local and state decision-makers during recovery planning and implementation.
To receive an award, applicants must submit two key items: a Letter of Assurance and an Action Plan. The Letter of Assurance must cover specific commitments, including confirmation that the applicant is the designated UCEDD; confirmation that funds will supplement and not supplant other UCEDD funding; and confirmation that the funds will be used for one or more of the listed disaster-response and recovery activities. It must also include a commitment to coordinate with key partners across the aging and disability ecosystem, including Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Centers for Independent Living, State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and other UCEDDs in the state when appropriate, to maximize coordination and avoid duplicative efforts. In addition, the applicant must agree to submit required reports, including semi-annual federal financial reports and annual program reports describing what was done, what worked, challenges encountered, and lessons learned, along with a written summary.
The Action Plan requirement is meant to keep the work focused and accountable. The plan must explain the needs the UCEDD intends to address for people with disabilities impacted by Hurricanes Ian or Fiona, describe how the UCEDD will implement the authorized activities to meet those needs, and include a budget request with a clear justification tying spending to disaster recovery outcomes. ACL also requires recipients to show impact in concrete terms by reporting the number of people served or otherwise impacted for each activity the grantee implements, not just describing outputs in general language.
Overall, the opportunity is a directed, disaster-specific investment in the UCEDD network in Florida and Puerto Rico to stabilize and rebuild community supports after two major hurricanes. It prioritizes disability-inclusive response systems, coordinated recovery work, and practical services that help people stay safe, regain essential supports, and return to or remain in community-based living.Apply for HHS 2023 ACL AOD UCDA 0049
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Disaster Assistance for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service Disability Programs in Puerto Rico and Florida" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.632.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 24, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 24, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the official name and number of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Disaster Assistance for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service Disability Programs in Puerto Rico and Florida and is identified as HHS-2023-ACL-AOD-UCDA-0049.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
This funding is offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL).
What is the purpose of this grant?
The grant is designed to strengthen disaster response and long-term recovery for people with disabilities impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, with a focus on making emergency planning and recovery efforts truly disability-inclusive and supporting community living (so people can remain supported in their communities rather than being pushed into institutional settings when local systems are disrupted).
Which geographic areas are the focus of this opportunity?
The opportunity is specifically focused on Puerto Rico and Florida.
Which disasters does this funding address?
This funding targets disability-related response and recovery needs arising from Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.
Why is ACL providing disaster-specific funding through this announcement?
ACL notes that organizations in the Aging and Disability Network have been responding using funding streams such as the Older Americans Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Developmental Disabilities Act, but those sources are not designed to directly cover disaster-specific work. As a result, programs may have had to redirect funds away from regular services to address hurricane-related emergencies. This grant provides dedicated resources for immediate needs and longer-term recovery activities.
What risks and challenges for people with disabilities does ACL highlight during disasters?
ACL emphasizes that people with disabilities may face increased risks because they can rely on supports that may become scarce after a major storm, including personal care assistance, accessible transportation, electricity-dependent medical equipment, medications, and accessible housing options.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is directed to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) authorized under Subtitle D of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Act, specifically the designated UCEDDs serving Florida and Puerto Rico. In practice, the eligible applicant must be the officially designated UCEDD in the state or territory.
Is this opportunity open to multiple organizations in Florida or Puerto Rico?
Based on the announcement description, eligibility is limited to the designated UCEDD serving Florida and the designated UCEDD serving Puerto Rico, rather than a broad range of organizations.
What is the assistance mechanism for this award?
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.632.
What activity category is associated with this funding?
The opportunity is within the Income Security and Social Services activity category.
How many awards does ACL anticipate making?
ACL anticipates making approximately three awards.
What is the maximum (ceiling) amount for an award?
The award ceiling is listed at up to $4,000,000.
When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?
The opportunity was posted on March 24, 2023. Applications were due on April 24, 2023, with electronic submissions due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
What types of activities are supported or encouraged with these funds?
ACL highlights practical recovery and support services that can be deployed quickly and tailored to community needs. Examples described include:
- Staffing support for response and recovery work (including case management)
- Purchasing program materials and supplies needed for response
- Outreach and information and referral for people with disabilities
- Monitoring shelters or temporary living settings for health, wellness, and safety concerns
- Coordination with emergency response partners and other state and local agencies to integrate disability needs into broader disaster operations
How does this grant support community living and avoiding institutional placement?
The opportunity places strong emphasis on preventing unnecessary institutional placement and supporting community living. Examples include case management and transition support for individuals placed in skilled nursing facilities during the disaster period and activities that help people regain essential supports needed to live safely in the community.
What examples are given of direct supports or recovery assistance that may be provided?
The description includes examples such as:
- Assistance replacing lost or damaged durable medical equipment, supplies, and medications
- Food assistance (including home-delivered groceries or meals) and personal hygiene items
- Support to access personal care assistance and transportation
- Help locating new accessible housing
- Support for home modifications when returning home is possible but requires accessibility improvements
Does the opportunity include advocacy activities?
Yes. Advocacy is explicitly included, allowing UCEDDs to represent and elevate disability-related needs with local and state decision-makers during recovery planning and implementation.
Are recipients expected to coordinate with other organizations?
Yes. The applicant must commit to coordinating with key partners across the aging and disability ecosystem, including Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Centers for Independent Living, State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and other UCEDDs in the state when appropriate, to maximize coordination and avoid duplicative efforts.
What are the required application components mentioned for this opportunity?
To receive an award, applicants must submit two key items: a Letter of Assurance and an Action Plan.
What must be included in the Letter of Assurance?
The Letter of Assurance must include commitments and confirmations, including:
- Confirmation the applicant is the designated UCEDD
- Confirmation that funds will supplement and not supplant other UCEDD funding
- Confirmation that funds will be used for one or more listed disaster-response and recovery activities
- A commitment to coordinate with partners (including ADRCs, CILs, State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and other UCEDDs in-state when appropriate)
- An agreement to submit required reports (including semi-annual federal financial reports and annual program reports with a written summary)
What does "supplement, not supplant" mean in this opportunity?
The opportunity states that grant funds are intended to supplement (add to) existing UCEDD resources and not replace existing UCEDD funding. Applicants must affirm this as a compliance requirement.
What must be included in the Action Plan?
The Action Plan must:
- Explain the needs the UCEDD intends to address for people with disabilities impacted by Hurricanes Ian or Fiona
- Describe how the UCEDD will implement authorized activities to meet those needs
- Include a budget request with a clear justification tying spending to disaster recovery outcomes
How does ACL expect recipients to measure and report impact?
Recipients must report impact in concrete terms by providing the number of people served or otherwise impacted for each activity implemented, not only general narrative descriptions of outputs.
What reporting is required after an award is made?
The opportunity specifies required reporting that includes semi-annual federal financial reports and annual program reports describing what was done, what worked, challenges encountered, lessons learned, and a written summary.
How does ACL describe the role of ACL-funded disability networks in disaster recovery?
The opportunity explains that ACL-funded disability networks have longstanding community relationships, strong knowledge of local resources, and experience helping people navigate services. During recovery, they can help coordinate services, identify gaps, and support accessibility and safety in shelters, temporary housing, and community services.
What is the overall intent of the program for Puerto Rico and Florida?
The overall intent is a directed, disaster-specific investment in the UCEDD network in Florida and Puerto Rico to stabilize and rebuild community supports after two major hurricanes, prioritizing disability-inclusive response systems, coordinated recovery work, and practical services that help people stay safe, regain essential supports, and return to or remain in community-based living.
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