Consumer Involvement Fund

Consumer Involvement Fund

Purpose

To provide funds for individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members, or their guardians to participate in conferences, training events, public forums, focus groups, committees, task forces, hearings and other similar activities. Funds would be distributed based on goals and priorities set by the Council.

Many policy, procedure, and program decisions affecting the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities are made without the involvement of the people who are most affected by those decisions. Often, individuals with disabilities and their families cannot afford the costs associated with involvement in some activities or do not have the experiences and information, which would make their participation as meaningful as it could be.

The Consumer Involvement Fund is designed to empower individuals with disabilities and their family members with the opportunities, experiences, resources and information they need to participate meaningfully in the decisions that are being made which affect their lives.

Who's Eligible To Apply to the Consumer Involvement Fund?
  • An individual with a developmental disability.
  • A parent of an individual with a developmental disability
  • A family member of an individual with a developmental disability.
  • The guardian of an individual with a developmental disability.

How to Apply?

Apply to ACDD

  • 30 days prior to the event
  • CIFC will review applications for funds monthly
  • Print out and mail in the application form
  • Application materials are also available in large print, Braille, and on cassette by request.
  • Please call the Council Office at 1-800-232-2158 for assistance in completing the application.
Funds may be provided for:

  • Registration Fees
  • Child Care or Respite
  • Personal Assistance
  • Hotel/Lodging
  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Other (at the discretion of the CIFC)
Funds Per Applicant:
  • $500 per year per person for in-state events
  • $1200 per year per person for out-of-state events
  • The Council's Consumer Involvement Funds can only partially fund the cost of attending an event. The Council requires persons wishing to receive Consumer Involvement Funds to secure partial funding from other sources, such as other state agencies, private foundations, consumer or advocacy organizations, an employer, use of his/her own money, or time match.
  • On a limited basis, and at the discretion of the Council's Consumer Involvement Fund Committee, a request to waive the requirement that partial funds be obtained from other sources may be honored by the committee. This waiver will be done on a case-by-case basis as needed.
Priorities
  • First time users of the fund
  • First time attendees at a particular activity or event
  • Attendance will enhance ethnic or cultural sensitivity
  • Applicants from rural or other underserved or unserved areas
  • First come, first served
When Funds Are Available To Applicants:
  • Consumer Involvement Funds are reimbursed for actual expenses
  • A receipt for each expense to be reimbursed must be submitted to Council before a reimbursement request can be processed.
  • The applicant will be sent an approval letter from the CIFC informing the applicant of the amount of the award or if the application is denied. Included in the award letter will be details for reimbursement of approved expenses or direct payment of the same.
  • Council staff will work individually on meeting the 25% match requirement and the reimbursement process. (See match information)
  • After returning from an event, all individuals receiving Consumer Involvement Funds will be asked to complete a CIF survey form. Consumers will also be asked to share information received from the event with his or her local community.
Consumer Involvement Fund Match Information Federal Share (DD Funds):This is the federal funds portion of the fund award. The DD Federal Share is granted on the basis of availability of federal funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress. Local Match:

This is your portion of the fund award. The Local Match Share consists of in-kind value and/or non-federal cash contributions. The total cost of the fund award equals the federal share plus the local match share. All fund recipients are required to contribute a 25% match of the total fund award (unless waived by the committee).

The non-federal share (Local Match) share of any project may be provided "in-kind". An in-kind match an be calculated in person-hours.

NOTE: To calculate the local match share for the 25% required match, divide the amount of your federal dollars request by 3. Then to calculate the total grant amount, combine the one-third figure with the federal dollars requested.