Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Seeks Grant Proposals for Public Awareness Campaign Part 2: Outreach & Public Relations

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, the state's Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, is currently seeking proposals for a competitive grant to implement a Public Awareness Campaign beginning in spring 2008. This Request for Proposals represents the second step in a campaign to promote the development and expansion of community-based services for people with developmental disabilities in Virginia and highlight the successful inclusion of people with disabilities in all facets of community life.

Part 1 of the Board's Public Awareness Campaign, Advocacy Message Development, assessed and documented attitudes and beliefs of the general public regarding people with developmental disabilities in Virginia. Using this information, public awareness messages for influencing those attitudes and beliefs consistent with the Board's policy goals were developed and tested. The public awareness campaign to be conducted under Part 2 of this initiative will be based on these research findings and accompanying communication strategy recommendations.

The Board plans to award a maximum of $300,000 for this initiative, and recipients of this grant will be required to provide matching funds of no less than 25% of the total project cost. Board grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

State or local public agencies, institutions of higher education, private non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, or for-profit companies are eligible to apply for this initiative. The 2008 RFP Booklet and other important documents needed to complete an application are available at www.vaboard.org/grants.htm. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 31, 2008.

Questions regarding the RFP should be directed to Tom Driscoll, Strategic Planning & Marketing Manager, at 804-786-9380 or toll free 1-800-846-4464 (Voice/TDD) or by email at Thomas.Driscoll@vbpd.virginia.gov. Questions regarding grants administration or general guidelines for the RFP process should be directed to Lynne Talley, Grants Manager, at 804-786-9375 or toll free 1-800-846-4464 (Voice/TDD) or by email at Lynne.Talley@vbpd.virginia.gov.

Tom Driscoll
Strategic Planning & Marketing Manager
VIRGINIA BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES