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Current Grant Projects

​​​​The Council administers federal funds to develop and support innovative practices that promote the independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in their communities. The issues and priorities identified by the Council for grant projects are based on the Council’s Five Year State Plan. ​The Council typically funds short and long term (up to three years) grants, training events, and stipends for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to attend conferences and workshops. Grants are expected to demonstrate new methods for supporting people with developmental disabilities, have statewide impact, be replicable, and not replace the responsibility of another agency or legal mandate.

Shared Support Maryland
​​​​The Expectations Matter project uses a train-the-trainer model to support person centered planning to people with developmental disabilities by people with developmental disabilities. This statewide projects aims to train 300 people with developmental disabilites on the principles of person centered planning to be enacted in their lives. The training modules are held via Zoom platform and are created and taught by people with developmental disabilities with support from Shared Support Maryland staff. If you are interested in attending learning sessions or becoming a trainer, please contact Gail Godwin.

Gail Godwin, Executive Director (gail@sharedsupportmd.com​)

The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Inc. People Fir​st of WV
The People First of WV (People First) project is a statewide self-advocacy initiative, led by people with developmental disabilities, that provides training and support for people with developmental disabilities on issues related to self-advocacy, self-determination, employment, healthcare, education, access to places and programs, and public policies. The project includes a network of local chapters that set up advisory boards, organizational and operational program structures, and processes for identifying important issues for training and education. The People First of West Virginia project is managed and supported by a state advisory board that coordinates network development, technical assistance, and outreach to local chapters. The WV Developmental Disabilities Council’s support of an advocacy organization of people with developmental disabilities, led by people with developmental disabilities, is a mandate of P.L. 102-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. A statewide self-advocacy initiative led by people with developmental disabilities that provides training and support for people with developmental disabilities on issues related to self-advocacy, self-determination, employment, healthcare, education, access to places and programs, and public policies.   

Michelle Curtis, Executive Director (michelle.curtis@thearcmov.org​)

Fair Shake Network, Inc. Statewide Cross-Disability Advocacy Organization

The Fair Shake Network, Inc. (FSN) is a cross-disability advocacy organization that includes people with developmental and other disabilities and their families. The goals of FSN are to educate policymakers, people with disabilities, their family members, the media, and the general public about issues that impact the lives of people with disabilities. FSN will continue to expand as a grassroots advocacy organization and provide important training to its members and the general public about competitive employment, inclusive education, healthcare, the legislative process, effective advocacy, and other current issues. The principle aims are to advocate for state and national legislation and policies that contribute to self-determination, integration, and inclusion of people with developmental and other disabilities in their communities. The WV Developmental Disabilities Council’s support of a cross-disability advocacy organization is a mandate of P.L. 102-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000.

Paul Smith, Director (Director@Fairshake.org)

Vocational Services, Inc. Student Success Project

While federal laws have opened many doors for students with developmental disabilities, there remains, at times, an undercurrent of stigma and low expectations, especially for students with more significant disabilities. The belief that all students can succeed, and the attainment of high expectations have lagged. Vocational Services, Incorporated (VSI) will work to change attitudes and to inculcate a culture of high expectations by traveling the State to identify what is working, and to record these success stories. This project will allow parents, students, and stakeholders who have been told “not to expect much” of their family member to watch local success stories about sons and daughters like their own, and to talk to other parents of family members who have been given negative prognoses about success in life, but who have prevailed none-the-less. The project will also develop and connect effective parent mentors with families who are struggling.

Jeff McCroskey, President (jeffmccroskey@netscape.net)