Maryland Works Announces a Funding Opportunity

To provide coordinated, comprehensive small business development services and supports that are responsive and accessible to the needs of Individuals with Disability Owned Businesses

Employment Works Program Technical Assistance Grants

Purpose

The purpose of this initiative is to improve the employment outcomes of people with disabilities by supporting Individuals with Disability Owned Businesses (IDOBs), to build, expand and sustain effective skills, capacity and competencies. Funds may be used to obtain customized technical assistance to support IDOBs by reducing barriers that underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs often face in accessing the programs they need to grow their businesses.

All grant recipients are required to participate in a learning community to share their efforts to improve employment outcomes and receive mutual peer support.

This grant opportunity is available to:

•    IDOBs and CSP's certified by The Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
•    IDOBs and CSP's currently holding contracts in Maryland’s Employment Works Program

Vendor Business Partners may apply for up to $10,000.  Two grants will be awarded, $10,000 each. 

Background

People with disabilities in Maryland want jobs in the community, pay that provides a living wage with benefits, and opportunities for career advancement. This initiative addresses several of the components that are critical for this to happen, including:

To request funding, Vendor Business Partners must submit a proposal that includes the following information

1.  General Information
   1. Organization’s name, address and contact information.
   2. Current business lines of service.
   3. What are you seeking to change or improve as a result of the technical assistance? Be specific.
   4. What specific types and amounts (hours or days) of technical assistance are you requesting?
   5. Who will provide the technical assistance, if known?
   6. What are their related credentials and experience? (Indicate if you do not know and the funding partners will assist in identifying the source of technical assistance).
   7. How will the changes or improvements you make as a result of this technical assistance be sustained?
   8. In order to evaluate this initiative:
      1. How will you determine that the goals and the objectives have been met?
      2. How will you determine the impact or effect the project has upon the individuals served?
      3. Are you committed to participating in the learning community related to this work? Who will participate? The learning community members will define for themselves how frequently they meet.
2. Supporting Documentation
   1. A letter of commitment from the Vendor Business Partner.
   2. Resume and signed letter of intent from the consultant(s) who will be involved in this initiative, if identified.
   3. Budget to include the following information:
      1. subject matter expert fees
      2. transportation/travel costs
   4. A brief explanation and justification for each expense, including how you arrived at the total.
3. Proposal
   1. Proposals may not exceed 10 pages, not including the supporting documents in Section IV.
   2. Do not submit cover letters, descriptive material, or any other attachment, except as listed above. They will not be reviewed.

Deliverables

All grant recipients must provide Maryland Works with copies of materials developed as a result of this project, e.g., policies, procedures, and lessons learned.

Funds Available