I. Current Get Equal Brochure:

II. EQUAL GRANT CYCLE

The 2026-2027 EQUAL grant application process is underway.

Administrators must ensure they are registered and submit their application by 5:00 pm August 27, 2026.

Resident Councils need to identify your priorities of the Local and Capital portions of the grant.

The Local benefits residents directly. It can be used for resident gift cards, enhanced activities for recreation, trips, special events, etc. BE SPECIFIC! If you want to receive gift cards so residents can purchase their own clothes or personal items, be sure to say you want a gift card that can be used at any retail or online store with no restrictions.

The Capital portion is intended to enhance your shared living experience in the home. Perhaps it is new resident furniture or a kitchenette for residents to use, or automatic door openers, etc. Again BE SPECIFIC!

The next step will come when the State notifies the home of the amount they will receive for YOUR benefit. That is when the Resident Council will need to sign off on the spending plan. Be sure that it is clear and NEVER SIGN A BLANK SPENDING PLAN.

2026-27 EQUAL Grant Notice

III. EQUAL REPORT:

CIAD is committed to empowering residents to improve the quality of their life and care and to support and maintain their self-determination and choice. New York State’s Enhancing the Quality of Adult Living (EQUAL) Program has become an essential component to achieving these goals over many years. We invite you to read the introduction from our Executive Director, Geoff Lieberman, and the Report CIAD commissioned with the Samuels Group.