Funding Opportunities & Projects
Technology First Accreditation Scholarship Program
TN DIDD’s Division of Program Innovation and SHIFT (https://techfirstshift.com/) are proud to partner once again for Technology First education and accreditation in FY 2024. We will once again grant a limited number of qualified Provider Agencies the opportunity to receive a scholarship for the Technology First Organization Accreditation program. This year the scholarship opportunity is open to any Provider Agency applying for either Technology First Re-Accreditation or Accreditation. Organizations interested in applying for a scholarship to cover the cost of education and accreditation should complete the following form by May 26, 2023 - Technology First Accreditation Scholarship Program Application.
Applications will be reviewed by SHIFT subject matter experts as well as members of DIDD’s Division of Program Innovation. Once the team has completed evaluation of all applications, each organization will be notified as to whether they have been accepted into the Technology First Accreditation Scholarship Program.
If you have any questions about the application or scholarship program, please feel free to contact Milton.Neuenschwander@tn.gov, DIDD Director of Enabling Technology.
PROVIDER INNOVATION PROPOSALS:
DIDD is offering providers one-time awards of up to $20,000 each for projects that support the “Pillars of Transformation” framework and create innovative pathways that advance DIDD’s mission. Proposals should be innovative, actionable, and replicable. They may include the use of new, emerging, or current Enabling Technology solutions in unique ways. There should be a strong focus on innovative ways for people with disabilities to achieve greater independence at home, at work, and/or in their community. If a proposal is selected, DIDD will reimburse costs to design and implement proposals once project components are accomplished and documented.
Please follow the Request for Applications link below for more information about this opportunity. Contact Jeremy Norden-Paul, Jeremy.Norden-Paul@tn.gov, DIDD Director of Program Innovation, with any questions. Applications must be received by Wednesday, May 17th.
Previously funded Provider Innovation projects include:
- Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville - Virtual reality immersive learning for travel safety and transportation training
- Waves - Creation and implementation of podcast, Waves of Awareness, featuring persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Community Options - Helping people with disabilities use Enabling Technology to increase their money management skills
- Emory Valley Center - Creation of a model tech apartment to help people with a dual diagnosis of I/DD and a mental health condition learn about Enabling Technology and practice independent living skills to increase self-reliance in their own homes
- D&S - Incorporate virtual reality into staff training with a focus on using person-centered practices and Enabling Technology tools
- MillarRich - Creating a full-service technology experience with a focus on educating, promoting and obtaining the technology that opens opportunities for people supported to reach their goals. Increasing access to devices with the training and support to ensure success.
NOTICE OF POTENTIAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
SELF-ADVOCATE TECHNOLOGY 1ST EDUCATION PROGRAM
DIDD is providing a funding opportunity for the development of a fully accessible and person-centered Technology 1st education program focused on providing knowledge and skills to self-advocates to help them integrate Enabling Technology into their daily lives, with the goal of achieving greater independence, self-determination, and quality of life at home, at work, and in their community. The development and implementation of this program will incorporate the experiences, perspectives, and expertise of self-advocates at each stage. Please follow the Request for Applications link below for more information about this opportunity. Contact Jeremy Norden-Paul, Jeremy.Norden-Paul@tn.gov, DIDD Director of Program Innovation, with any questions. Applications must be received by Wednesday, May 17th.
Ensamble
Employment First Accreditation Program:
DIDD intends to award funding to an entity to develop an Employment First Accreditation program to enhance statewide organizational capacity and designate provider agencies as Employment First leaders. This program will be the first organization-level training in the nation in support of the Employment First systems transformation, which asserts that all people, including people with significant disabilities, are capable of full participation in competitive integrated employment and community life. The purpose of the Employment First Accreditation program will be to support DIDD’s Pillars of Transformation, workforce development initiatives, and support the shift of employment services from a fee-for-service reimbursement structure to an outcomes-based reimbursement model.
Interested applicants should submit a grant application based on the requirements outlined in the Request for Applications & Proforma Grant Contract- E1st Accreditation. All applications should be submitted to Carrie.B.Brna@tn.gov by September 12th, 2022.
PROVIDER INNOVATION PROPOSALS:
DIDD is once again offering providers one-time awards of up to $20,000 each for ideas that support the “Pillars of Transformation” framework and create innovative pathways that advance DIDD’s mission. Proposals should be innovative, actionable, and replicable. They may include the use of new, emerging, or current Enabling Technology solutions in unique ways. There should be a strong focus on innovative ways for people with disabilities to achieve greater independence at home, at work, and/or in their community. If a proposal is selected, DIDD will reimburse costs to design and implement proposals once the outcomes are accomplished and documented. Please follow the link below for more information about this opportunity and to complete the application. Contact Jeremy Norden-Paul, Jeremy.Norden-Paul@tn.gov, DIDD Director of Program Innovation, with any questions. Applications must be received by Friday, July 1st.
Previously funded Provider Innovation projects include:
- Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville - Virtual reality immersive learning for travel safety and transportation training
- Waves - Creation and implementation of podcast, Waves of Awareness, featuring persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
TECH 1st ACCREDITATION: DIDD’s Division of Program Innovation is partnering with Shift to provide grants to a limited number of qualified Provider Agencies to complete the Technology First Organization Accreditation program. This accreditation is a key milestone in the transformation to a "Technology First" organization. You can read more about the Technology First Organization Accreditation program in Shift’s “Guide to Education and Accreditation” linked below. Contact Milton Neuenschwander, Milton.Neuenschwander@tn.gov, DIDD Director of Enabling Technology, with any questions. Applications must be received by Friday, June 17th.
The department’s commitment to innovative ways to support the aspirations of the people we support drives this process.
DIDD and Voiceitt: Seeking Project Management Agency for Ensemble Project
DIDD invites you to join Voiceitt in an impactful new community initiative!
Together with Voiceitt, DIDD aims to expand employment opportunities for people with speech disabilities by offering new voice-based enabling technologies.
Voiceitt is now developing the next generation of its technology which promises to deliver an enhanced experience – allowing users to engage in spontaneous, real-time conversations. To power the technology, Voiceitt has built an audio database with voice recordings from people with non-standard speech. In a new research and development initiative with DIDD, Voiceitt welcomes individuals to join the community by recording their voices and having the opportunity to be the FIRST to try the newest version of the technology!
In this Ensemble project, Voiceitt and DIDD are seeking to partner with an organization to serve as the project management agency. The duties of the project management agency will include:
- Recruit and engage at least 20 individuals with speech disabilities. Voiceitt is looking for volunteers with non-standard speech to contribute voice recordings.
- Manage participants in the project, including assisting in voice recordings and evaluating the new technology in real-world settings (over a 6-month period)
- Liaise with employers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, participants, and other stakeholders to evaluate technology use cases in real world workplace settings.
- Distribute surveys/questionnaires and conduct interviews to assist in data collection.
- Collaborate in creating creative collateral such as photos and videos to assist in raising awareness and education around utilization of enabling technology in the workplace and other scenarios. This could include joint videos, social media content, and press releases.
To apply to become the Ensemble Project Management agency, please complete and submit the application to Carrie Brna at Carrie.B.Brna@tn.gov by August 10th.