Program Information

Program Information: Youth Information, Training and Resource Centers

Page Contents

• Abstract of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act of 2000)
• Definition of Developmental Disability
• ADD’s Goals
• Programs Funded under the DD Act of 2000
• Projects of National Significance
• Projects of National Significance – Youth Information, Training and Resource Centers

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is the Federal agency responsible for implementation and administration of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act of 2000) (42 U.S.C. 15001, et seq.) and the disability provisions of the Help America Vote Act (42 U.S.C. Sections 15421-15425, 15461-15462). This agency is located within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Abstract of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act of 2000)

For the full text of the DD Act of 2000, click here

The DD Act of 2000 authorizes support and assistance to States, public agencies, and private, non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations, to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of, and have access to, culturally competent services, supports, and other assistance and opportunities that promote independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community.

As defined in the DD Act of 2000, the term “developmental disabilities” means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments that are manifested before the individual attains age 22 and are likely to continue indefinitely. Developmental disabilities result in substantial limitations in three or more of the following functional areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and capacity for economic self-sufficiency.

The DD Act of 2000 identifies a number of significant findings, including:

• Disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to enjoy the opportunity for independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community.
• Individuals whose disabilities occur during their developmental period frequently have severe disabilities that are likely to continue indefinitely.
• Individuals with developmental disabilities often require lifelong specialized services and assistance, provided in a coordinated and culturally competent manner by many agencies, professionals, advocates, community representatives, and others to eliminate barriers and to meet the needs of such individuals and their families.

The DD Act of 2000 also promotes the best practices and policies presented below:

• Individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with the most severe developmental disabilities, are capable of achieving independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community, and often require the provision of services, supports, and other assistance to achieve such.
• Individuals with developmental disabilities have competencies, capabilities, and personal goals that should be recognized, supported, and encouraged, and any assistance to such individuals should be provided in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of the individual.
• Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are the primary decision makers regarding the services and support such individuals and their families receive, and play decision making roles in policies and programs that affect the lives of such individuals and their families.

ADD’s Goals

Toward these ends, ADD seeks to support and accomplish the following:

• Enhance the capabilities of families in assisting individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their maximum potential
• Support the increasing ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise greater choice and self-determination and to engage in leadership activities in their communities
• Ensure the protection of the legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities
• Ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their families enjoy increased and meaningful opportunities to access and use community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance available to other individuals with developmental disabilities and their families
• Promote recruitment efforts that increase the number of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who work with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in disciplines related to pre-service training, community training, practice, administration, and policymaking.

ADD, like other programs in ACF, promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities. ACF and ADD envision:

• Families and individuals empowered to increase their own economic independence and productivity
• Strong, healthy, supportive communities having a positive impact on the quality of life and the development of children
• Partnerships with individuals, front-line service providers, communities, States, and Congress that enable solutions that transcend traditional agency boundaries
• Services planned and integrated to improve access to programs and supports for individuals and families
• A strong commitment to working with unserved and underserved persons with developmental disabilities and their families
• A community-based approach that recognizes and expands on the resources and benefits of diversity
• A recognition of the power and effectiveness of public-private partnerships, including collaboration among a variety of community groups and government agencies, such as a coalition of faith-based organizations, grassroots groups, families, and public agencies to address a community need.

The vision, listed above, will enable more individuals, including people with developmental disabilities, to live productive and independent lives integrated into their communities. The Projects of National Significance is a means by which ADD promotes the achievement of this vision.

Programs Funded under the DD Act of 2000

There are four programs funded under the DD Act of 2000:

• State Developmental Disabilities Councils
• State Protection and Advocacy Systems for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities’ Rights
• National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Service
• Projects of National Significance.

The Youth Information, Training and Resource Center grants are part of the Projects of National Significance

Projects of National Significance

ADD awards Projects of National Significance grants and contracts to:

• Promote and increase the independence, productivity, inclusion and integration into the community of persons with developmental disabilities
• Support the development of national and state policy which enhances the independence, productivity, inclusion and integration of these individuals into the community.

These Projects focus on the most pressing issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and their families. Project issues transcend the borders of States and territories, while project designs are oriented to permit local implementation of practical solutions. Examples include:

• Data collection and analysis
• Technical assistance to program components
• Technical assistance to develop information and referral systems
• Projects which improve supportive living and quality of life opportunities
• Projects to educate policymakers
• Efforts to pursue federal interagency initiatives.

Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations provided $11.414 million to support these activities.

This program is authorized under Part E of the Act.

Projects of National Significance – Youth Information, Training and Resource Centers

The purpose of Youth Information, Training and Resource Centers grants is to design and demonstrate community-based information, training, and resource centers with youth and emerging leaders, as defined above for this program announcement.

In FY 2004, ADD awarded funding to 15 Youth Centers to design and implement youth information, training and resource centers. The Youth Centers have worked toward becoming a voice and advocate for young people with developmental disabilities, especially with regard to post high school education, training and employment activities.

In 2007, ADD awarded new YITRC grants to 21 organizations (click here for a listing of them). Under these grants, the groups will continue to develop programs and undertake activities that are supportive of ADD’s objectives for the YITRC. The projects of the YITRC grantees will, at minimum include the following:

• Consumer Involvement and Input. All projects must have an advisory committee that primarily (greater than 51%) consists of youth and emerging leaders and allows youth and emerging leaders to make decisions on how the grant funding will be spent on activities and outcomes of the project.
• Three Areas of Emphasis. Activities and outcomes of the centers must be related to at least three of the eight areas of emphasis located in the DD Act of 2000 (child care, education and early intervention, employment, health, housing, recreation, transportation, and quality assurance).
• Information and Referrals. Projects must include a structure for information and referrals for youth and emerging leaders that parents of youth and emerging leaders, as well as youth related service providers, may also access.
• Training. A strong self-advocacy and leadership training component must be an essential part of the projects, especially for emerging young leaders (such as an emerging leader’s Partners in Policymaking curriculum, which can be replicated in other states).
• Internet Access. Grantees must develop youth friendly Web-based materials and promote safe use of the Internet by youth and emerging leaders.
• Materials for Dissemination. The development and dissemination of youth friendly materials on career paths, money management, and healthy lifestyle choices in accessible formats and in languages other than English are a central theme of the project design.
• Unserved and Underserved. Projects must focus on unserved and underserved youth and emerging leaders in the targeted communities; and the project participation and advisory committee shall reflect the diversity of the targeted communities.
• Collaboration. Collaboration with these four core groups (self advocacy organization, parent training and information center, Developmental Disabilities Network Partner [Council on Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy System, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Services], State agency), plus others should play a central role in planning and operating the center.
• Employment Opportunities. Projects will offer opportunities for youth and emerging leaders with developmental disabilities to be employed by the project.
• Capacity Building. Activities of the center will include building the capacity of other youth groups and organizations to include and support youth and emerging leaders, as defined by this program announcement, in their ongoing programs and regular activities.
• Community Inclusion. Activities will include identifying and promoting opportunities for youth and emerging leaders to participate in community events and activities to develop their leadership and civic skills and community awareness.
• Mentoring. Projects will provide mentoring opportunities, particularly for emerging leaders, to prepare them for careers, community involvement, independent living, and leadership roles.
• Civil Rights. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, where applicable, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998.

The length of the projects is 36 months comprising three 12-month budget periods.

For a complete list of Youth Information, Training and Resource Centers grantees, including a description of their projects, click here.