Conference Participation Sponsorships
The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) works to connect Iowans with a developmental disability and their family members with the knowledge and skills needed to become more involved in the decision making processes that impact their ability to be fully included in their community. To assist in this effort, the DD Council will provide grants of up to $1,000 annually to statewide organizations to support the participation of Iowans with developmental disabilities and their family members at the organization’s conference(s).
Grant funds may be used for registration fees, transportation to and from the conference and other expenses necessary for an individual with a developmental disability and/or a family member to attend.
“Developmental disability” means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:
Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments.
Is manifested before the individual attains age 22.
Is likely to continue indefinitely.
Results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major activity: Self-care, Receptive & expressive language, Learning, Mobility, Self-direction, Capacity for independent living, Economic self-sufficiency.
Reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other for ms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
“Family member” includes parents, guardians, and siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Eligibility and Criteria:
Statewide organizations supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and/or family members may apply for the grant to support attendance at statewide conferences in Iowa or in contiguous states. Organizations that do not typically support individuals with developmental disabilities but would like to encourage participation by individuals with developmental disabilities to attend their conference may also apply. The conference must be a statewide conference. The conference must focus on one or all of the following areas:
If your request for funding is approved, within 30 days of the conference, the organization must submit to the Council:
If an organization does not submit the above information they may not be eligible for future funding.
How to apply:
Organizations may apply by sending a letter requesting funds to:
Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council
700 2nd Avenue #101
Des Moines, IA 50309-1712
The application letter must include:
If your request is approved, please be aware that it usually takes up to 6 weeks after the approval date for all paperwork to be processed and a check issued. You will be required to supply your organization’s federal tax identification number (a personal Social Security number is not acceptable). If your organization has never received a payment through the State of Iowa and needs to be entered into the State’s accounting system, additional processing time will be necessary.
Please note: Requests are contingent on available and approved funding by the DD council. The Conference Sponsorship policy and funding will be reviewed and approved at the beginning of each Federal Fiscal year.