OHSU UCEDD CAC Awards Community Grants for Good (OR UCEDD)
September 23, 2019
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The UCEDD in the Institute on Development and Disability at OHSU Community Advisory Committee, also known as the Community Partners Council (CPC), has been awarding small grants to the community for seven years now and has funded 32 community projects. At their most recent quarterly meeting, they voted to fund six projects this fiscal year through their Community Engagement Grant program.
The UCEDD staff conduct the administrative tasks of implementing the grant program, but CPC members review viable grant applications and make all the funding decisions. These small awards of up to $1000 each have funded everything from inclusive roller-skating events and resource fairs to cooking classes, faith community inclusion projects and SibShops.
The applicants' project focus has to fall into one of three areas of emphasis: spirituality, mental and physical health, or sibling support. The value of adding capacity to nonprofit organizations directly serving the disability community, based on direction provided by the Council representatives of those communities, cannot be overstated. This unique program came out of a joint initiative illustrating the strong partnership between the UCEDD and Council members.
The most recent completed projects included a needs assessment to enhance community-driven adoption of inclusive practices for people with disabilities in physical activity settings, and the creation of a sensory-friendly calming space for congregation members and their children to take a break during events and services, and to promote inclusion of children and families who have sensory needs and challenges.
