Centers for Independent Living Competition - Guam | HHS 2025 ACL AOD IL 0019

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2025 ACL AOD IL 0019

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity to establish one new Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Guam. The purpose is to expand and strengthen independent living services on the island and to support the broader network of CILs envisioned under federal independent living policy. This competition is tied to Part C of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 1329, which set the standards, assurances, and required functions for centers funded under this program.

ACL expects to make a single award with an estimated total funding amount of $110,326 (the award ceiling is also $110,326). The project is planned as a 24-month period, structured into two separate 12-month budget periods. In practical terms, the awardee would be expected to stand up and operate a complete, compliant CIL over two years, while meeting federal requirements for service delivery, governance, and program accountability.

At a minimum, the funded center must deliver the core independent living services required of CILs. Those core services include: (1) information and referral, so people with disabilities can learn about supports, benefits, rights, and local resources; (2) independent living skills training, which can cover areas like self-advocacy, budgeting, navigating services, assistive technology basics, accessible housing navigation, and daily living strategies; (3) peer counseling, meaning support and problem-solving guided by people with lived disability experience; and (4) individual and systems advocacy, which includes helping individuals resolve barriers (for example, housing or service access issues) as well as broader advocacy aimed at improving policies and community accessibility. In addition to these core services, the center must also provide services that support people leaving institutions and returning to community living (including transitions from nursing homes and other institutional settings), assist people who are at risk of entering institutions so they can remain in the community, and help youth with disabilities transition into postsecondary life (such as higher education, employment, independent living, and community participation).

Eligibility is narrowly defined and centered on the traditional CIL model. Applicants must be consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private nonprofit agencies. "Consumer-controlled" generally means people with disabilities must have meaningful control over the organization, typically reflected through governance and decision-making structures consistent with the Rehabilitation Act requirements. "Cross-disability" means the center is intended to serve people with all types of disabilities, rather than focusing on a single disability category. The applicant must also have the authority and capacity to carry out the purpose of the Part C program and to perform the functions described in Section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act and the related regulatory subparts. ACL also expects the applicant to be able to receive and administer not only the federal funds associated with 45 CFR part 1329, but also other public and private funds and contributions that support the center, which signals an expectation that the organization can handle diversified funding streams and basic nonprofit grants management.

The competition is designed for either new entrants or for expansion that results in a truly separate, complete center. An applicant must either not currently be receiving Part C CIL funds, or it must propose expansion by establishing a separate and complete center at a different geographic location (with the note that the existing center's governing board may serve as the governing board of the new center). The proposal must also target one or more geographic areas identified as unserved or underserved, and it must include documentation showing that creating the new center aligns with the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for the relevant state or outlying area. For Guam, this means the application needs to demonstrate fit with the planned design for a statewide network of centers and how the proposed CIL will fill identified gaps.

The eligible applicant type listed in the source data is nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The narrative eligibility language further clarifies that domestic private nonprofit entities that meet the CIL requirements may apply, including Indian tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, and other community-based organizations, as long as they satisfy the consumer-control and other statutory/regulatory standards for a CIL. Foreign entities are explicitly ineligible to compete for or receive awards under this announcement.

Key administrative details from the posting include the opportunity number HHS-2025-ACL-AOD-IL-0019, CFDA/Assistance Listing 93.432, and the administering agency being ACL. The opportunity was created on 2025-01-15, and the original application closing date is 2025-06-16. The funding activity category is listed as Income Security and Social Services, reflecting the program's focus on community living, self-determination, and practical supports that help people with disabilities live independently and participate fully in community life.

• The Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers for Independent Living Competition - Guam" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.432.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-06-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $110,326.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for HHS 2025 ACL AOD IL 0019

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