The Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, Inc. Proposal Essay

Identified need and the mission statement

EACF operates a medical service and client case management services program that is offered to residents of Central Florida. The aim is to promote awareness of disability and epilepsy victims through education and prevention programs. The need for this program is as a result of the fact that epilepsy is highly misunderstood, despite being the oldest recognized neurological disorder. Epilepsy is a devastating condition that affects more people than cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or even active cancer patients when pooled together.

EACF is dedicated to “improving the quality of life of persons affected by epilepsy/seizure disorders” (Carmen, 2011, p. 3). “EACF identifies, defines and advocates the needs of persons with epilepsy/seizure disorders, and plan and implement its strategies to meet those needs” (Carmen, 2011, p. 3). In order to increase the community’s response and the needs of persons with epilepsy, the program aims at educating and providing information to employers, educators, the medical community, the general public and the families of the victims. The agency ensures that epilepsy persons acquire diagnosis, treatments, and rehabilitation services as well as timely and accurate information with the aim of ensuring that they maintain their productive roles in the society.

EACF’s proposal directly tackles the agency mission by “improving the quality of life of persons with epilepsy, client advocacy, meeting the needs of persons with epilepsy, and informing/educating the community of these needs, along with disability awareness” (Carmen, 2011, p. 4).

Project Description

The community based skill training and work assignment will be carried out by the agency’s trained employment controller. The training program is aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency. The extended program is slated to commence from July 16, 2012 so as to give ample time for completion of additional training and sourcing of funds. “EACF currently has programs addressing epilepsy education, medical care, social service counseling, and pre-GED and GED training. The proposed program extension would work in conjunction, complement and enhance existing EACF programs” (Carmen, 2011, p. 6).

EACF programs includes but not limited to “Community Based Employment, Life Skills Training and Basic Financial Planning with Employment Placement for Continued Success for Persons with Epilepsy and Disabilities” (Carmen, 2011, p. 56).

The following services will be offered to the clients in the following year:

1. Disability /epilepsy and the indispensable obligations of the job.
2. Disability /epilepsy disclosure.
3. Making out the work values and setting professional goals.
4. Fundamental financial planning/budgeting skills training and personal financial needs.
5. Interrogation, follow-up and what employers would like.
6. Transportation to training and transportation to work.
7. Resources for pointing out job skills training, employers and C.V writing.

In addition, this program will involve the area human resource directors in successful community peers, participant’s presentation and successful community peers who will be engaged in motivating and mentoring the participants of the program. Community peers will also help optimize the productivity of the volunteers as well as the available agency resources. Multi-media equipment will be used to support the participants through the existing agency’s resource center.

Some of the individuals who are targeted in this project will include but not limited to:

1. Future and current EACF’S programs clients as well as the service providers, referrals from the areas physicians and disabled persons seeking the agency’s intervention.
2. Those who cannot secure employment as a result of disablement which prevents them from acquiring relevant experience.
3. Those who have not been able to retain their jobs in the past due to problems emanating from their physical conditions.

First year costs

The total funds requested during the first year amounts to $958,000. The EACF match amounts to $1000, 000. The agency will plug the budgetary gap through additional fund raising activities such as through corporate and individual fund raising efforts.

Future year costs

State, county and private fundraising, in addition to federal funding will be considered to ensure that the program is finished. More proposals were submitted, and as a result, $30,658 were generated in 2011 and additional $9,605 are expected to come from the foundation funding.

Measures of success

1. Case manager action plan will be availed to each participant with the aim of assisting them with medications and medical services. This will as a result increase the client’s epilepsy stabilization and reduction.
2. Employment Program Action Plan (EPAP) will be provided to each participant to monitor the success.
3. The number of all those who will participate in the program will be recorded, in addition to their post/pre testing for skills and knowledge.
4. Checklist and measurement tools will be used to establish the participants achievements and activities.

Required changes

The primary annual goal will be determined by attainment of 110+ total program participants, and an employment anticipation of 75+ persons. The secondary measure of success includes the participants’ successful completion of the program with increased self-worth, self esteem, as well as the ability to retain their permanent jobs, in addition to the ability to cope and understand their condition. Of additional importance is that the employers should understand the issues surrounding disabled persons employment in a better perspective.

Budget

Reference

Carmen, P. (2011). Business Proposal. New York, NY: Prentice-Hall International, Inc.