Improving the Health of People with Mobility Limitations and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities through State-based Public Health Programs | CDC RFA DD21 2103

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA DD21 2103

The grant opportunity titled "Improving the Health of People with Mobility Limitations and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities through State-based Public Health Programs" is a CDC-led funding initiative designed to help states and jurisdictions reduce persistent health disparities experienced by two groups of adults: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and people with mobility limitations (ML). It is structured as a five-year, non-research cooperative agreement, meaning awardees are expected to work in close coordination with CDC (rather than operating as fully independent grantees) while building practical, on-the-ground public health capacity that can improve access to care, prevention, and community supports.

At its core, the program is focused on strengthening statewide or jurisdiction-wide public health approaches that make preventive healthcare and health promotion more accessible, appropriate, and effective for adults with IDD and adults with ML. The CDC is aiming to move beyond isolated services or short-term projects by funding efforts that build partnerships, train providers, connect people to community-based prevention programs, and produce systems-level improvements that last. The overall intent is to reduce disparities that show up as lower use of recommended preventive services, higher rates of unmet health needs (including mental health), and higher burdens of chronic disease and related risk factors.

The funded work is organized around several major activities. First, recipients are expected to establish, expand, and strengthen partnerships with organizations that already serve adults with IDD and adults with ML. This typically includes disability service providers, advocacy groups, healthcare systems, community health organizations, and other stakeholders who can help shape priorities and ensure the work reflects real barriers people face. Second, awardees must conduct a needs assessment across communities in their state or jurisdiction to identify gaps in resources, tools, and services that contribute to health disparities. That assessment is expected to lead to concrete action steps, not just a report, so grantees can target interventions where they are most needed.

Another major component is improving the readiness of the healthcare system to serve these populations effectively. The NOFO calls for training healthcare providers on accessible preventive healthcare for adults with IDD and adults with ML. This can include practical clinical and operational changes such as improving accessibility of facilities and equipment, strengthening communication and accommodation practices, and increasing provider understanding of barriers that patients with IDD or ML often encounter when trying to get routine screenings, primary care, or wellness services.

The NOFO also requires awardees to implement and evaluate a demonstration project specifically aimed at linking adults with IDD to preventive healthcare and health promotion programs available in their communities. This is essentially a "proof of concept" effort that helps show what works for closing the gap between recommended preventive care and real-world access. In addition to the demonstration project, recipients are expected to implement evidence-based health promotion interventions and pursue policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes. PSE work is meant to change the conditions around people, such as organizational practices, community design, program accessibility, and institutional policies, so that healthier choices and appropriate care become easier and more routine rather than relying solely on individual behavior change.

A final required element is dissemination. Awardees must share key findings and lessons learned so other jurisdictions, providers, and partners can adopt successful approaches, avoid common pitfalls, and build on what the program produces over five years. In practice, dissemination can include toolkits, training materials, evaluation summaries, implementation guides, partner convenings, and other products that make the work transferable.

The CDC frames the long-term outcomes in clear public health terms. The program is expected to improve access to recommended preventive healthcare and related health services for adults with IDD and adults with ML. It also aims to reduce unmet healthcare needs related to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, along with associated risk factors. Another target outcome is an increase in healthy lifestyle behaviors and overall physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Over time, these improvements are intended to contribute to a reduced prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and reductions in the risk factors that drive chronic disease disparities.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument under the health activity category. It is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD). The Funding Opportunity Number is CDC RFA DD21 2103, and it is associated with CFDA 93.184. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), although applicants would still need to follow any eligibility clarifications provided in the full NOFO. The award ceiling is $585,000, and CDC anticipated making around 10 awards. The original posting dates indicate it was created March 12, 2021, with an original application deadline of May 11, 2021 (11:59 p.m. ET) for electronic submissions.

Overall, the grant is best understood as an effort to help states and jurisdictions build durable public health infrastructure for disability-inclusive prevention and wellness. Rather than funding clinical research, it supports practical partnership building, provider training, community linkage strategies, evidence-based health promotion, and policy/systems improvements, all tied to measurable reductions in preventable disparities affecting adults with IDD and adults with mobility limitations.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - NCBDDD in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving the Health of People with Mobility Limitations and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities through State-based Public Health Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.184.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 12, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 11, 2021 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 $585,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for CDC RFA DD21 2103

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