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Where we are & Where

we need to go.

January 11, 2011

SILC Congress, Atlanta, GA

Independent Living Administration

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Overview:

History– IL is the Big Picture and VR is a small part– Building frustration with RSA– How did we get here:

NCIL formed three workgroups (IL Administration, SILC, and CIL) to draft the ILA language

Presented information at NCIL conference, APRIL conference, SILC Congress to gather feedback and comments

Feedback and comments were used by the workgroups to finish draft Draft posted on blog for comments and feedback (

www.iladministration.blogspot.com) to be used to revise draft

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Overview:

Proposed Solution– A consumer controlled Administration– IL programs governed by IL Philosophy– Restructure Title VII of the Rehab Act:

Create IL Administration & move IL out from under RSA Include amendments/changes in NCIL Reauthorization Position Paper Formulating a strategy for getting information about the ILA out to

NCIL members, legislators, and people with disabilities Hope to recruit a volunteer from each state to be an ILA Coordinator Working with Senate HELP staff on drafting legislative language

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ILA

NCIL Rehab Act Committee– Established ILA Subcommittee– Developed draft language

SILC Congress Task Force– Developed draft language regarding SILCs– Worked with ILA Subcommittee to reach

agreement on SILC language

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Where are we now?

CIL Issues:– Add & fund fifth core service – Transition– Permit CILs to carry over Part C funding for an

additional year– Change funding formula– Include mechanism for IL funding to 121 Programs

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Where are we now?

SILC Composition:– 60 % people with disabilities– Ex-Officio Members:

Not appointed by Governor Not subject to term limits

– CIL Director not appointed by the Governor– 121 Program Rep not appointed by Governor

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Where are we now?

Purpose of SILCs– Promote the IL Philosophy– Provide leadership and support to maximize the

empowerment, leadership, independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities

– Provide leadership & support for the integration & inclusion of pwds into society

– Develop the statewide network of CILs

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Where are we now?

SILC Duties:– Develop, sign, & submit SPIL– Implement SPIL in collaboration with CILs and

other partners identified in SPIL– Monitor, review, and evaluate implementation of

the SPIL– Provide advice and assistance to state agencies

that serve pwds regarding performance of their responsibilities

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Where are we now?

– Conduct resource development activities– Conduct advocacy, capacity building, and

systemic change activities– Conduct studies and analyses, gather

information, develop model policies and procedures, and present information, approaches, strategies, findings, conclusion, and recommendations to policymakers

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Where are we now?

– Provide training, training opportunities, and/or technical assistance for pwds and/or individuals providing services to pwds and others

– Support activities to increase the capacities of public or nonprofit agencies and organizations to develop comprehensive approaches or systems for providing IL services

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Where are we now?

– Facilitate the improvement and coordination of services provided to pwds by CILs, government agencies, and community organizations

– Conduct any other activities determined by the Council to promote the independence and full inclusion of people with disabilities

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Where are we now?

– Coordinate activities with councils that address the needs of specific disability groups

– Ensure that all regularly scheduled meetings are open to the public

– Submit to the Commissioner requested reports and access to records

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SPIL

SILC & CIL representative will have sign off authority

SPIL will govern IL funds SPIL will be a 5 year plan

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SPIL Appeals Process

An appeals process will be available to:– CILs– Consumers– Anyone

Appeal must be filed with ILA within 30 days following the signing of the SPIL;

Must demonstrate how the plan runs counter to the preponderance of public testimony received on the plan;

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SPIL Appeals Process Cont.

Appeal must detail how the SPIL denies consumer direction or unique needs of pwds; and

Any manner by which the SPIL undermines the role of the CIL board of directors

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Where are we now?

IL Administration:– Vision: To establish a new Independent Living

Administration, separate from RSA, with a consumer controlled commission and funding at a level that will effectively provide independent living services to all Americans with disabilities.

– Use existing Part B, Part C, and IL Unit administrative funding to support IL Administration and programs

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Where are we now?

– Consumer Controlled Commission/Council– Commissioner hired and supervised by IL

Administration Commission/Council– Proposed location for the ILA

Within the Department of Education & OSERS but parallel to RSA

The IL Administration must maintain a clear link to the IL Movement

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How will ILA conduct monitoring?

Site Review Teams

On-site reviews of CILs – at least 15% of CILs per year – all at least every 5 years

On-site reviews of 1/3 of SILCs per year – all at least every 3 years

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How will ILA conduct monitoring?

Peer review process Consistent with Standards & Assurances Promote “Best Practices” standards Peer Review Teams with experience in the

operation of CILs and SILCs

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Peer Review Teams:

A minimum of 5 individuals who are not government employees

Demonstrated experience in:– Accounting– Executive Management– Middle Management– CIL/SILC Administration– Other appropriate staff

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IL Commissioner’s Annual Report

CIL & SILC compliance with Standards and Assurances

Best Practices Trends Strategies to increase the availability of funds

for CILs and SILCs

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Points Still Under Consideration:

Who will appoint the Commission? Where & How will the Money Flow? How do we establish base funding for SILCs? How can we ensure that the fifth core service

(transition) is not an unfunded mandate and unachievable?

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Points Still Under Consideration:

Should we increase the regulations for “transitional living” from 60 days to 6 months?

How can we create a career ladder for CIL/SILC staff to the IL Administration?

How can we maintain some degree of control within the IL Administration?

Is there a role for a DSU? Should CILs and SILCs be direct funded?

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Points Still Under Consideration:

Should states be required to continue to provide current level, non-Part B funding for SILCs?

Will state issues have to be negotiated at the state level?

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Discussion

What are your reactions? Do you want to be a state coordinator? Do you want to be a local contact?