Communities receive grants to support Hoosiers with disabilities

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — Eleven Indiana communities that partnered with nonprofits are set to receive more than $1.6 million in federal funding from the new Community Corrections for People with Disabilities grant program. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch’s office says the goal is to address the effects of the pandemic on Hoosiers with disabilities and increase community and workplace inclusion.

The funding opportunity comes from a partnership between the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services.

“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,” said Crouch.

OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner says the projects that are receiving funding are the “first step in ensuring no Hoosier is left isolated.”

Communities receiving funding:

• Batesville, in partnership with New Horizons, is awarded $160,462 to create a device lending library, which include 100 tablets, home connectivity devices, adaptive technology, and health monitoring aids.    
• Columbia City, in partnership with Passages, Inc., is awarded $146,523 to purchase 35 devices for a device lending library to facilitate connection with natural support networks. 
• Goshen, in partnership with ADEC Inc., is awarded $155,322 to create a virtual and physical sensory trail experience. 
• Indianapolis, in partnership with Village of Merici, is awarded $200,000 to develop a virtual app that allows adults with disabilities to access informational content and connect with their natural support networks. 
• Marion, in partnership with Carey Services, Inc., is awarded $200,000 to build twelve internet kiosks inside community partner locations, purchase 25 iPads for a device lending library, create a virtual platform addressing social isolation.
• South Bend, in partnership with LOGAN Community Resources, Inc., is awarded $69,000 to purchase 36 iPads and 32 hotspots for a device lending library. 
• Dubois County, in partnership with Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, is awarded $127,743 to install WiFi hotspots in county public spaces, install an accessible computer workstation at the SIRS office and purchase iPads to create a lending library. 
• LaGrange County, in partnership with The Arc of LaGrange County, is awarded $67,113 to purchase 50 iPads for a device lending library.
• Lake County, in partnership with New Star, Inc. is awarded $110,000 to create virtual courses for health and wellness, employment readiness and creative expression. 
• Madison County, in partnership with The Hopewell Center, is awarded $199,630 to create a multi-prong social connection program.   
• Parke County, in partnership with Child-Adult Resource Services, Inc., is awarded $200,000 to create virtual educational classes.