Describe progress made in achieving the objectives and goals outlined in the most recently approved SPIL. Discuss goals achieved and/or in progress as well as barriers encountered.
Goal 1: Expand the network of Centers for Independent Living.
Description: Increase the number of Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in North Carolina (NC) especially in the unserved and underserved Eastern Region of the State. Expanding the network for Centers in NC will be achieved by providing Part B funding to Grassroots Advocacy Organizations that qualify to become CILs, provide training in Independent Living (IL) philosophy, supporting the existing Centers in NC, training to CILs about diverse disabilities and cultures, and technical assistance to expand accessibility to programs/services for individuals with diverse and significant disabilities.
Progress:
Objective 1: Provide grants for up to two (2) grassroots advocacy organizations for the provision of the four IL core services to be rendered in accordance with Federal regulations to expand, improve or provide services in unserved/underserved areas of eastern North Carolina for a term of three (3) years using the competitive RFA process. Grantees must meet the Rehabilitation Act, Sections 702 and the 725 standards and assurances and definition for a Center for Independent Living, the requirements of the Division of Purchase and Contract in the NC Department of Administration, and have locally based governing boards. The priority will be to fund two Grassroots Advocacy Organizations (GAOs) in the Eastern region of the state.
During this reporting period, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services had a financial assistance contract with two (2) Part B CILs located in Wilmington and Greenville. The contract provided the Part B CILs with the funds for operating expenses and to provide the four IL core services in accordance with federal regulations.
Objective 2: Support training on the history of the IL Movement, IL philosophy, CIL standards and assurances and the steps to becoming a CIL to grassroots advocacy organizations and interested parties in unserved and underserved areas of NC.
During this reporting period, technical assistance training to grassroots organizations interested in becoming a Center for Independent Living was provided on September 14 and 15, 2009. Dan Kessler, NCIL President, was one of the facilitators during this training event. There were nineteen individuals in attendance including representatives from the SILC, CILs and DSU.
Objective 3: Support the existing Part C funded NC Centers for Independent Living with Operational Expenses through 3 year contracts.
During this reporting period, the six Part C funded CILs had a contract with the DSU for operational expenses. The contracts are for a maximum of three years which are required to be amended annually.
Objective 4: Provide funds for training to existing Part C funded CIL staff and Part B funded CIL staff on how to better serve consumers with diverse disabilities and provide funds for Assistive Technology for each CIL to provide access for people with diverse disabilities.
During this reporting period, all eight CILs in NC provided their staff with training on how to better serve consumers with diverse disabilities. The trainings included attending the Building your CILs organization capacity using technology, How to build a peer support program, Fair housing and reasonable accommodations/modifications, Managing anxiety, National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, six (6) CILs sent staff to the NCIL Conference, and several CILs participated in numerous ILRU teleconferences and on-line trainings.
During this reporting period, all eight CILs also purchased assistive technology devices or systems that would provide consumers with greater access to their services and resources. Assistive technology purchased included nine computers, four JAWS software programs, a video phone, assistive listening device, two Zoom Text reader software programs, two Zoom Text keyboards, a Zoom Text high contrast keyboard, four large screen monitors, a dragon natural speaking software program, headphones, a TV with close-captioning features, and an Ubi-duo.
Goal 2: Ensure non-profit status of the NCSILC.
Description: NCSILC will follow the process to become a non-profit organization by September 2008.
Progress:
Objective 1: NCSILC will make sure that Articles of Incorporation, Employment Identification Number and State Identification Number are secured and the filing of Federal Application of Recognition of Exemption under section 501(c) (3) is completed.
During this reporting period, the proposed Bylaws were presented and adopted by the full NCSILC at the quarterly meeting in October 2008.
Objective 2: Recruit and hire an Executive Director and Administrative Assistant to oversee and support NCSILC doing business as a non-profit.
During this reporting period, Chris O'Hanlon started his position as the Executive Director on May 1, 2009. Sandi Curtis, Administrative Assistant was hired on August 17, 2009 and Freida Moore, Fiscal Administrative Assistant, was hired on May 3, 2009.
Goal 3: Increase participation and leadership by youth with disabilities.
Description: NCSILC through its Youth Leadership Committee will support young people with disabilities in NC and collaborate with them in expanding their leadership potentials. NCSILC will achieve this by supporting youth with disabilities to hold Youth Leadership Forums in North Carolina; assess the planning and process, trainings in youth involvement techniques and ensuring that NCSILC will always have a youth member representative.
Progress:
Objective 1: NCSILC Youth Leadership Committee will participate in the assessment process of the Youth Leadership Forum. NCSILC will provide funds for NCSILC members' participation expenses.
During this reporting period, the NCSILC Youth Leadership Committee participated in the assessment process of the Youth Leadership Forum and provided a report to the NCSILC during the October quarterly meeting.
Objective 2: Enhance youth involvement and knowledge in advocacy and the independent living movement by conducting statewide regional trainings for youth involvement techniques.
During this reporting period, the NCSILC youth committee produced a tool for youth disability based education to be used in the schools. Twenty-two youth with disabilities attended the NC Disability History Curriculum Development internship program on August 1 - 6, 2009.
Objective 3: Ensure that there is always a NCSILC member appointed from people between the ages of 15 and 28 years old.
During this reporting period, there are two NCSILC voting members who are between the age of 15 and 28.
Goal 4: Transition of consumers from institutionalized settings to the community.
Description: To promote the systemic changes needed to move individuals with disabilities out of institutionalized settings and into communities of their choice. NCSILC will achieve this by recruiting a member who has transitioned, participating in activities on transition and self-advocacy, reporting on best practices and providing funds to assist people with disabilities transitioning to the community.
Progress:
Objective 1: Recruit an individual with a disability that has transitioned from an institutionalized setting to the community to be appointed as a voting member of NCSILC.
During this reporting period, the NCSILC has one voting member who has transitioned from an institutionalized setting into the community.
Objective 2: Attend two activities that have self-advocacy and/or transition to the community and/or community based services as the focus.
During this reporting period, no NCSILC members attended a conference that focused on self advocacy, transitioning into the community and community based services. The opportunity to attend a conference with these specific characteristics are few and far between, but the Association of Self Advocates of NC holds their annual convention in March every year and the Transition Committee would like to see NCSILC members attend this event.
Objective 4: Provide the CILs with funds to assist transitioning individuals with expenses they may incur, including but not limited to, deposits for housing and utilities, initial month's rent, transportation, furniture, appliances, housing supplies, etc. The needs will be determined by the individual and/or their advocate, and the CIL Peer Counselor.
During this reporting period, the Part C funded CILs assisted numerous individuals with disabilities to transition from nursing home settings into the communities of their choice. Funds were used to provide to transitioned individuals with rent, utilities, deposits, medications, furniture, household supplies, personal care items, home modifications and assistive technology devices.
Goal 5: Monitor of State legislations on issues that affect persons with disabilities in North Carolina.
Description: The NCSILC will monitor legislation that directly/indirectly affect people with disabilities in NC including but not limited to: Money Follows the Person, Emergency Management Preparedness, housing and transportation. NCSILC will hold a Legislative Day to share information about NCSILC with policymakers.
Progress:
Objective 1: Gather information on Money Follows the Person will write a position paper for distribution. Schedule and hold an annual SILC Legislative Day at the NC General Assembly.
During this reporting period, the legislative committee Chair participated as a member at the NC DHHS Money Follows the Person Stakeholder Committee Roundtable teleconferences throughout the year.
The Legislative Committee collaborated with NCDAN in the planning and sponsorship of the NC One Voice Conference held on May 18, 2009 and Legislative Day held on May 19, 2009. NCSILC members who participated shared information about NCSILC and the independent living philosophy with members of the NC General Assembly.
Objective 2: Collaborate with other agencies and organizations in NC to promote the need for Emergency Preparedness for people with disabilities.
During this reporting period, a NCSILC legislative committee member attended the Emergency Preparedness meeting held on September 17, 2009 at the East Carolina University.
Objective 3: Collaborate with other agencies and organizations in NC to promote the need for accessible, affordable housing and transportation for people with disabilities and designate NCSILC members to attend NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA). The Committee will submit position papers on housing and transportation in NC for people with disabilities.
During this reporting period, the Legislative Committee Chair attended the regularly scheduled meetings of the NC Department of Transportation and the NC Housing Finance Agency. The Chair also attended the NC Housing Coordination & Policy Council's (HCPC) Meeting. The Committee reported quarterly back to the full NCSILC about discussions at these meetings. The Committee Chair submitted a position paper on housing and a position paper on transportation. These papers will be made available for public access by the NCSILC website.
Objective 4: Present Legislative updates at each NCSILC quarterly meeting.
During this reporting period, the Legislative Committee Chair, DSU Directors and other NCSILC members provided the full NCSILC information about important issues and/or actions by the NC Legislature that may directly or indirectly affect people with disabilities.
If applicable, describe any changes to the information contained in the SPIL that occurred during the reporting year, including the placement, legal status, membership or autonomy of the SILC; the SILC resource plan, the design of the statewide network of centers; and the DSU administration of the SILS program.