Lt. Gov.Suzanne Crouch today announced11communitiesthat have partnered withnon-profits will receivemore than $1.63 million in federal






Press Release from the Office of Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




Feb. 11, 2021





Lt. Gov. Crouch announces$1.63Mto
assist adults with disabilities

*STATEHOUSE (Feb. 11, 2021) L*t. Gov.Suzanne Crouch today announced11communitiesthat have partnered withnon-profits will receivemore than $1.63 million in federal funding through the newCommunity Connections for People with Disabilities (CCPWD) grant program.This opportunity is being offered through a partnership between the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs(OCRA)and the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS).

The pandemic has disrupted thelifeof every Hoosier, Crouch said. These partnerships will reconnect Hoosiers with disabilities to their crucial support systems, while also creating new ways for these individuals to thrive and pursue their aspirations. This federal CARES Act funding will help quickly remove some of the social divide COVID-19 has caused.

The programs goal is to help develop innovative technology strategies and cultivate strong community partnerships to address the negative social, economic, and health effects of COVID-19 on Hoosiers with disabilities and to increase community and workplace inclusion for this population.

Im so proud to seethesecommunitiestook innovative steps to partner with local organizations toprovide assistance is a variety of ways to Hoosiers with disabilities,saidDenny Spinner,executivedirector of OCRA. These projects are the first step in ensuring no Hoosier is left isolated and partnering with DDRS to make it happen demonstrates the type of collaboration necessary to create a road to recovery.

Grant activities for this program implement strategies, including virtual or technology-assisted activities,that addresslack of internet access and technology equity, or social isolation and lost access to natural supports.

Eligible applicants include a local unit of government, whichincludecounties, cities, or incorporated towns, bothentitlementandnon-entitlement communities.Each applicantpartneredwith a qualifyingdevelopmentaldisability non-profit organization that serves adults (18 and older) with disabilities within the geographical area.

"Due to the pandemic, Hoosiers with disabilities are experiencing various disruptions to their day-to-day supports that they utilize to ensure community inclusion. I appreciate the partnership with Lt. Gov. Crouch andOCRAto provide this opportunity for municipalities and providers to develop innovative technology solutions to mitigate COVID-19 related barriers to community inclusion,saidKylee Hope, director of the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services.

This grant opportunity is made available due to supplemental CDBG Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds authorized under the CARES Act.More information on anotherroundof fundingwill be released bythe middle ofMarch.

Below is a summary of the projects being funded for this round.Formore program information,visitin.gov/fssa/ddrs/community-connections-for-people-with-disabilities. [ [link removed] ]


* The*City of Batesville**,*in partnership withNew Horizons,isawarded $160,462to create a device lending library, which include 100 tablets,home connectivity devices,adaptive technology, and health monitoring aids. Training support willbe providedtolending library participantsto utilize the technologyto connect with their natural support networks.
* The*City of Columbia City**,*in partnership withPassages, Inc.,isawarded $146,523 to purchase 35 devicesfor adevicelending libraryto facilitate connection with natural support networks. The partnership will also establish an at-home healthy activities delivered throughlocal YMCA virtual exercise membershipsandanequipmentlending library.
* The*City of Goshen**,*in partnership withADEC Inc.,isawarded $155,322 to createavirtual and physical sensory trailexperiencewhichincludesthree camerasfor virtual viewing, a virtual smartphone application for exploration of trails, thepurchaseoften iPads for adevicelending librarytofacilitate access to the trail experience, and consultation hours for music and recreational therapiststo enhancing the sensory experience of the trails.
* The*City of Indianapolis*, in partnership withVillage ofMerici, isawarded $200,000 to develop of virtual app that allows adults with disabilities to access informational content and connect withtheirnatural support networks.
* The*City of Mario**n*, in partnership withCarey Services, Inc., isawarded $200,000 to build twelve internet kiosks insidecommunitypartner locations, purchase 25 iPads for adevicelending library,create avirtualplatformaddressing social isolation, and""a livestream studiofor use by city organizations and community members to create virtual social programming for adults with disabilities.

* The*City of South Bend**,*in partnership withLOGAN Community Resources, Inc.,isawarded $69,000 to purchase 36 iPads and 32 hotspots for adevicelending libraryintended to facilitate access to natural support networks and virtual social and emotional support programming.

* *Dubois County**,*in partnership withSouthern Indiana Resource Solutions(SIRS),isawarded $127,743 to installWiFihotspotsincounty public spaces, install an accessible computer workstation at the SIRS office, purchase iPads to create a lending library, and createanapplicationto connect adults with disabilities to community members that can assist in shopping and errand needs.

* *LaGrange County**,*in partnership withand The Arc of LaGrange County, isawarded $67,113 to purchase 50 iPads for adevicelending libraryintended to facility access to social opportunities, educational programming, and health services.

* *Lake County*, in partnership withNew Star, Inc.is awarded$110,000tocreate virtual coursesfor health and wellness, employment readiness and creative expression.The partnership will alsopurchase 25 tablets for adevicelending libraryto facilitate access to the virtual courses.

* *Madison County*, in partnership withThe Hopewell Center, isawarded$199,630tocreate a multi-prong social connection program, using technology to connect participants virtually and in-person through vocational exploration, gaming, social networking and digital theater activities.

* *Parke County*, in partnership withChild-Adult Resource Services, Inc., isawarded $200,000tocreate virtual educational classes. Additionally, the partnership willpurchase60tabletsand 15smartTVs for adevicelending libraryto facilitate access to the virtual education programming as well as natural support networks.

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"The Lieutenant Governor constitutionally serves as the President of the Indiana Senate, statutorily serves as the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, chairs the "Indiana Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force" and oversees four state agencies. "

"Click here [ [link removed] ] for a high resolution photo of Lt. Gov. Crouch. For email updates from her office and these agencies, click here [ [link removed] ]."



Indiana State Department of Agriculture [ [link removed] ]Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority [ [link removed] ]2019 IOTD [ [link removed] ]Office of Community and Rural Affairs [ [link removed] ]

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*Media Contacts:
Randy Spieth
[email protected]
*317.232.4545

*Melissa Thomas*
*Office of Community and Rural Affairs
[email protected]
*(317) 727-7682

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