Consumer Enpowerment Partnership Program

The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council may reimburse expenses for individuals with developmental disabilities and/or a family member or guardian of an individual with a developmental disability to attend conferences or other events in Maine or another state. The Council will respond to requests based on the Consumer Empowerment Partnership Program Guidelines.

Program Guidelines

Partnership Program grants are available to support individuals who are residents of Maine with developmental disabilities and/or a family member or guardian to attend conferences or other events in Maine or another state. The goal of this program is to support the participation of people with developmental disabilities and their families in educational and policy-making activities which promote their efforts to achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion. The fund makes money available to groups planning conferences and to public and private organizations wishing to have members attend conferences. Eligible events include:

  • Training in self-advocacy, educating policymakers and citizen leadership skills.
  • Training to obtain access to services, supports and other assistance.

General Information

  • Eligible participants are people with developmental disabilities who are residents of Maine and members of their immediate family, who are residents of Maine.
  • Council Members and Council Staff are not eligible for Partnership Program grants.
  • Organizations applying for Partnership Programs must have an active Federal Employer Identification Number.
  • Eligible sponsors include corporations and non-profit organizations. (A minimum match of 10% is required for all grants.)
  • An individual/family may only use funding from ONE Partnership Program grant per fiscal year (October 1 - September 30).
  • If an organization receives any other type of Council funding to support a conference, the organization and conference becomes ineligible to receive a Partnership Program grant during the fiscal year.
  • Partnership Program applications will be evaluated and approved by the Council.
  • The Council reserves the right to deny any application as it sees fit.
  • An individual/organization may only apply for one Partnership Program grant at a time.
  • Grants are limited to no more than $1000 per individual/family and per event within a 12-month period.
  • Funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis, after the event has occurred, and only when the necessary documentation of expenses and the evaluation form have been submitted.
  • Priority will be given to people with disabilities and family members who have never been supported by a Partnership Program grant in the past.
  • Camps, therapy programs and/or medical services, and fundraising events are not eligible for Partnership Program grants.

Award Process

  • Due to the limited funding for this program, the Council awards grants on a quarterly basis from funds available for that time period. Awards are made on a first-come, first-serve basis each quarter (October 1 - December 31, January 1 - March 31, April 1 - June 30, and July 1 - September 30). Applications should be for events scheduled within six months of the request.
  • All information requested in the application and reimbursement packets must be provided, in order for applications to be considered and reimbursement to be paid. Incomplete submissions will be returned to the applicant for completion.

Definition of Developmental Disabilities

A “developmental disability”, as defined in federal law, is a severe, chronic, often lifelong disability that causes substantial limitations in several major life activities such as: self care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, the capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. It is attributable to a mental, emotional, sensory, and/or physical impairment that is apparent before the age of twenty-two.

Who Can Apply?

  • An individual with a developmental disability.
  • A family member of an individual with a developmental disability.
  • A guardian of an individual with a developmental disability.

How Much Can I Apply For?

In order to extend Consumer Empowerment Funds to as many people as possible, the following limits apply:

  • One event per person/family per year for up to $1000.00 maximum.
  • The Council will provide a maximum of $2,000 per event regardless of how many people apply.

How Do I Apply?

Complete the application and attach a copy of the brochure/application for the event and a brief summary describing how attending the conference or event will benefit you and/or others. Mail it to the attention of the Consumer Empowerment Funds Program at the address below.

Download the Mail-in Application Form [Word document]

What Am I Required To Do? When Will I Get Reimbursed?

If you are approved for Consumer Empowerment Funds, an award letter and a post-event survey will be sent to you. You will be reimbursed for expenses you have been approved for and paid receipts must accompany expenses for reimbursement. You will be reimbursed for expenses based on current reimbursement rates being used by the Council. Please Note: Tolls are not reimbursable. Reimbursement for both parking and mileage cannot be submitted. You can submit expense reimbursement for the greater of the two. Education materials, including books and videos, are not reimbursable. Reimbursements must be submitted within 30 days following the event and must be accompanied with the W9 Form and the completed post-event survey.