Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced that the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Services (DDRS) have opened Round 2 of the Community Connections for People with Disabilities (CCPWD) grant program. Awardees are eligible for up to $200,000 in funding.

The CCPWD grant encourages Indiana cities, towns and counties to partner with local community disability organizations in developing innovative activities that address COVID-19-related barriers to community inclusion.

“It is critical that Hoosiers work together to ensure all people are included as Indiana pushes through the pandemic, as we get back to normal and as more in-person interactions resume,” Crouch said. “With 11 different Hoosier communities already awarded funding, this round will further assist individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.”

(Audio available by clicking here)

Round 2 builds upon the success of the initial round of CCPWD funding, expanding the grant opportunity to more local non-profit community disability organizations. Indiana communities applying for Round 2 funding may now partner with the following qualifying non-profit community disability organizations:

• A developmental disabilities organization enrolled as a DDRS – Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services provider;
• An Indiana Center for Independent Living recognized by DDRS;
• A community mental health center certified by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction;
• A community rehabilitation provider enrolled as a DDRS – Bureau of Rehabilitation Services provider;
• An Indiana Local Education Agency (LEA) currently delivering special education to students aged 18 to 22; or
• A special education cooperative formed according to IC 20-35-5.

Round 2 of the CCPWD grant also addresses the changing realities of the COVID-19 public health emergency by targeting activities designed to assist Hoosier adults with disabilities in preparing for a return to in-person interactions in the workplace and community. Applicants seeking funding in Round 2 of the CCPWD grant will be asked to develop grant activities addressing:

• Issues of social isolation and lost access to natural supports (family, friends, etc.); or
• Issues of lost employment and training opportunities.

The Round 2 CCPWD grant application is now open and will close May 20, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET. An informational webinar will be held March 24, 2021 for interested parties.

Round 2 grant awardees will be announced in June 2021.

Round 1 of the CCWPD grant awarded funds to 11 recipients, totaling $1.63 million to implement activities addressing internet access and social isolation.

More information on the CCPWD grant program, including instructions on accessing the March 24 informational webinar, can be found here.

The Reopen Evansville Task Force announced another extension of COVID-19 testing at C.K. Newsome Center.

Testing at the site — which is administered by OptumServe — will be extended through April, and is available for those that live and work in the Evansville region.

Operations will continue Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Registration is required. Those needing a test can register at lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1116.

Testing is free to all and no medical insurance is necessary. However, residents with existing insurance are asked to provide that information during the scheduling process.

The site was made possible through a collaboration between Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, the Vanderburgh County Health Department (VCHD) and the Indiana State Department of Health.

City & County Employee Testing

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held at the Old National Events Plaza for all eligible city and county government employees.The Vanderburgh County Health Department will host the clinic on March 26 from 8:30 a.m to 1 p.m. Follow up for second doses will occur on April 23.

Employees must be 40+ or a first responder. They must also reside in Indiana.