Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2018 ACL AOD IL 0288
The Centers for Independent Living Competition (Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2018-ACL-AOD-IL-0288) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL), focused on expanding independent living services for people with disabilities in U.S. territories that currently lack an ACL-funded Center for Independent Living (CIL). This opportunity is specifically aimed at American Samoa and Guam, where the federal government identified a service gap: neither territory has an existing federally funded CIL. The overall purpose is to provide financial assistance to establish or strengthen local capacity so residents with disabilities can live more independently in their communities rather than being limited to institutional care or unnecessary dependence on others.
CILs are defined in the announcement as consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private nonprofit organizations. In practice, that means the center should be governed and shaped by people with disabilities and designed to serve individuals across disability types, not just one diagnosis group. The services are intended to support people in everyday community life, including living at home, participating in education or employment, navigating local systems, and accessing supports that make independence possible. Because the program’s underlying philosophy is independent living, the emphasis is on self-direction, peer support, equal access, and removing barriers in the community.
The grant requires delivery of the core CIL service set. These core services include information and referral (helping individuals find and access programs, benefits, and community resources), independent living skills training (practical skills such as budgeting, navigating transportation, self-advocacy, and managing daily life), peer counseling (support and problem-solving led by people with lived disability experience), and both individual and systems advocacy (helping a person resolve barriers in their own situation while also working on broader policy or community changes that affect many people). The opportunity also highlights transition-related services: helping people move from nursing homes or other institutions back into the community, assisting individuals at risk of entering institutions so they can remain in the community, and supporting youth with disabilities as they transition into postsecondary education, employment, and adult life. Together, these requirements reflect a strong focus on keeping people connected to family and community and reducing unnecessary institutionalization.
The target population is individuals with disabilities, with an explicit expectation that the CIL will serve people with a range of significant disabilities. The funded organization is expected to do more than provide direct services; it must also help individuals develop and achieve independent living goals, improve both the availability and quality of community options for independent living, and build community capacity within its service area so local systems are better prepared to meet disability-related needs. The notice also expects active resource development, meaning the center should pursue additional funding beyond the grant so services can be sustained and expanded over time rather than ending when the award period concludes.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (excluding institutions of higher education). Applicants should be prepared to show they can meet the statutory standards and assurances required under Section 725 of Subchapter C, Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), which governs how CILs operate and what accountability and consumer-control requirements they must follow. The service area proposed by an applicant must also align with the design laid out in the relevant State Plan for establishing a network of centers, reinforcing that the CIL’s footprint and role should fit into the broader independent living planning framework for the territory.
From an award and timing standpoint, ACL anticipated making two awards total (one for American Samoa and one for Guam), with an award ceiling of $154,046. The opportunity was posted on March 6, 2018, with an original closing date of May 7, 2018. Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. The program is categorized under Income Security and Social Services, with CFDA number 93.432, and uses a grant as the funding instrument.Apply for HHS 2018 ACL AOD IL 0288
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers for Independent Living Competition" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.432.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 06, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 07, 2018 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $154,046.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Centers for Independent Living Competition (HHS-2018-ACL-AOD-IL-0288)?
The Centers for Independent Living Competition is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL). It provides financial assistance to expand independent living services for people with disabilities in U.S. territories that do not currently have an ACL-funded Center for Independent Living (CIL).
What problem is this funding intended to address?
This opportunity is designed to address a service gap identified by the federal government: American Samoa and Guam did not have an existing federally funded Center for Independent Living (CIL). The purpose is to establish or strengthen local capacity so residents with disabilities can live more independently in their communities, rather than relying on institutional care or unnecessary dependence on others.
Which locations does this grant opportunity focus on?
This competition is specifically aimed at American Samoa and Guam.
How many awards were expected, and how were they distributed?
ACL anticipated making two awards total: one award for American Samoa and one award for Guam.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed in the opportunity is $154,046.
Who is the federal administering agency for this grant?
The grant is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL).
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the CFDA number and program category associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA number 93.432 and categorizes the program under Income Security and Social Services.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. Institutions of higher education are excluded.
What is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) as defined in the announcement?
In the announcement, CILs are defined as consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private nonprofit organizations.
What does "consumer-controlled" mean in the context of a CIL?
Based on the description in the opportunity, consumer-controlled means the center should be governed and shaped by people with disabilities, reflecting the independent living philosophy of self-direction and peer involvement.
What does "cross-disability" mean for the services?
Cross-disability means the CIL is expected to serve individuals across disability types rather than focusing on only one diagnosis group.
Are CILs residential programs or institutional facilities?
No. The announcement describes CILs as non-residential and community-based, with an emphasis on supporting people to live independently in their communities.
Who is the target population for services funded under this opportunity?
The target population is individuals with disabilities. The notice includes an explicit expectation that the CIL will serve people with a range of significant disabilities.
What are the required core services a funded CIL must provide?
The grant requires delivery of the core CIL service set, including: (1) information and referral, (2) independent living skills training, (3) peer counseling, and (4) individual and systems advocacy.
What is included in "information and referral" services?
Information and referral includes helping individuals find and access programs, benefits, and community resources.
What is included in "independent living skills training"?
Independent living skills training includes practical skills such as budgeting, navigating transportation, self-advocacy, and managing daily life.
What is "peer counseling" in a CIL setting?
Peer counseling is described as support and problem-solving led by people with lived disability experience.
What is the difference between individual advocacy and systems advocacy?
Individual advocacy focuses on helping a person resolve barriers in their own situation. Systems advocacy focuses on broader policy or community changes that affect many people.
Does the opportunity emphasize transition services in addition to the core services?
Yes. The opportunity highlights transition-related services alongside the core service set.
What transition-related services are highlighted in the opportunity?
The opportunity highlights: helping people move from nursing homes or other institutions back into the community, assisting individuals at risk of entering institutions so they can remain in the community, and supporting youth with disabilities as they transition into postsecondary education, employment, and adult life.
What outcomes or broader responsibilities are expected of the funded organization beyond direct services?
In addition to providing services, the funded organization is expected to help individuals develop and achieve independent living goals, improve the availability and quality of community options for independent living, and build community capacity within its service area so local systems are better prepared to meet disability-related needs.
Is resource development or pursuing additional funding expected?
Yes. The notice expects active resource development, meaning the center should pursue additional funding beyond the grant so services can be sustained and expanded over time.
What federal legal requirements are applicants expected to be prepared to meet?
Applicants should be prepared to show they can meet the statutory standards and assurances required under Section 725 of Subchapter C, Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), which governs how CILs operate and includes accountability and consumer-control requirements.
How must an applicant's proposed service area relate to independent living planning requirements?
The proposed service area must align with the design laid out in the relevant State Plan for establishing a network of centers, meaning the CIL's footprint and role should fit into the broader independent living planning framework for the territory.
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was posted on March 6, 2018, with an original closing date of May 7, 2018.
How were applications required to be submitted, and what was the submission deadline time zone?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.
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| Native American Independent Living Demonstration Project Apply for HHS 2018 ACL AOD ILNA 0290 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACL AOD ILNA 0290 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $250,000 |
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| Family Strengthening Scholars Apply for HHS 2018 ACF OPRE PR 1366 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF OPRE PR 1366 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OPRE Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $25,000 |
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| Behavioral Interventions Scholars Apply for HHS 2018 ACF OPRE PD 1367 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF OPRE PD 1367 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OPRE Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $25,000 |
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| No Wrong Door System Business Case Development Apply for HHS 2018 ACL CIP NWBC 0285 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACL CIP NWBC 0285 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Street Outreach Program Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ACYF YO 1353 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF ACYF YO 1353 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children Families - ACYF/FYSB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Retirement and Disability Research Consortium Apply for RDRC RDRC 18 01 Funding Number: RDRC RDRC 18 01 Agency: Social Security Administration Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: Implementation and Expansion Grants Apply for HHS 2018 ACF OCC TH 1365 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF OCC TH 1365 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OCC Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Community Collaborations to Strengthen and Preserve Families Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ACYF CA 1351 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF ACYF CA 1351 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| Strengthening Child Welfare Systems to Achieve Expected Child and Family Outcomes Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ACYF CO 1360 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF ACYF CO 1360 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,610,000 |
| Native American Elder Justice Initiative Apply for HHS 2018 ACL AOA IERC 0292 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACL AOA IERC 0292 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Implementation Grants Apply for HHS 2018 ACL AOD DDTI 0303 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACL AOD DDTI 0303 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Basic Center Program Apply for HHS 2018 ACF ACYF CY 1354 Funding Number: HHS 2018 ACF ACYF CY 1354 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children Families - ACYF/FYSB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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