SPIL Goals Updates

Reporting based on data 9/30/2017

Goal 1. The 8 CILs of NC provide quality services as needed by people with disabilities.

Goal Description:  The staff of the eight Centers of Independent Living in North Carolina receives annual support for training, network building and attendance of quarterly North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council meetings.
Objective 1.1. Centers for Independent Living staff members are well trained.
Activity 1.1.a. Annually, a minimum of 8 Centers for Independent Living staff members receive training by attending conferences such as, but not limited to, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), Southeastern Center Directors Association (SECDA), National ADA Symposium, Disability Rights NC, GREAT Conference, etc.
First SECDA meeting in Atlanta, GA. Part B funds were utilized for three Center Directors and other staff members to attend. Corinna Stiles, Director, Independent Living Administration, ACL and Pat Williamson, Southeast ADA Center, provided updates from the national level.  
Second SECDA meeting in Orlando, FL. Part B funds were utilized for two Directors to attend. Corinna Stiles, Director, Independent Living Administration, ACL, skyped in to provide most recent updates on federal budget. Mary Olson, APRIL, provided a presentation on youth transition services.
One Center Director and other CIL staff attended the NCIL conference in July 2017. All in attendance participated in the march to the Capital and visits with Legislators. 
Activity 1.1.b. Annually, the Centers for Independent Living conduct 2 retreats to focus on network building, and development and dissemination of a uniform service delivery manual. 

Center Directors and/or staff from all eight Centers attended two Center DirectorsÕ retreats, both in Burlington, NC. The first retreat was in May 2017 and one of the outcomes was updating the ILNNCÕs by-laws. The second retreat occurred in August 2017and one of the outcomes was developing a uniform Performance and Expenditure report for Part B fund reimbursement. 

As mentioned above, Center Director retreats were attended.  Part B Funds for staff development were used for transportation to NCIL in Washington, DC.   CIL Directors and Staff also attended APRIL in Reno, NV. Part B funds were used by some CILs to participate in local trainings ranging from nursing home and youth transitions to deaf and hard of hearing advocacy/awareness. 

Activity 1.1.c. Annually, the Centers for Independent Living meet in person at the Statewide Independent Living Council quarterly meetings to participate in the processes of the Statewide Independent Living Council to ensure collaboration and cooperation between the Centers for Independent Living and the Statewide Independent Living Council.
Center Directors and/or staff from all eight CILs attended all quarterly meetings and actively participated in each meeting. There is a Center Director on the Executive Committee of NC SILC and currently serving as Chair. 

Activity 1.1 d Upon request, the Centers for Independent Living provide information on ÒHow to start a Center for Independent LivingÓ to a Grassroots Advocacy Organization in an unserved area of NC.

Two Center Directors and a SILC member met with staff of the Area Agency on Aging in Henderson, NC to discuss what CILÕs do and what it would look like to open one in their area. One of the Center Directors has maintained a relationship/presence in the rural area. 

Goal 2 Ð Youth with disabilities in NC have increased leadership and empowerment 
Goal Description Ð Youth with disabilities in North Carolina are prepared for leadership roles by annually offering a Youth Leadership Forum opportunity, rural outreach events provided by the Centers for Independent Living and financial support to attend Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living Youth Conference.
Objective 2.1: Youth with disabilities are prepared for leadership roles.
Activity 2.1a Annually, funds are made available to a Grassroots Advocacy Organization (GAO) with a focus on youth, cross disabilities and Independent Living philosophy, to coordinate and hold a Youth Leadership Forum for 20 youth with disabilities. If no successful applicant is identified, the funds will be distributed equally to the Centers for Independent Living of North Carolina for other youth activities under this goal.
During this reporting period, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services had a contract with the Alliance of Disability Advocates CIL to conduct a Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) designed to increase participation and leadership by youth with disabilities.  Unfortunately, the YLF was not held because the contractor was unable to secure a location due to construction at NC State University. In addition, the contractor reported receiving only 6 applications. NC SILC, CILs and the DSE approved to post pone YLF for the reporting year and use the funds to add to next yearÕs YLF. There was approximately $4,200 of funds in the second year of availability and this money was used to support 6 six youth to attend the APRIL Conference in Spokane, WA.  

Activity 2.1 b Annually, the Centers for Independent Living provide training on Independent Living, including transitions to post-secondary education and/or employment, for a minimum of 48 youth with disabilities.
The IL Network of NC made significant strides in reaching out to youth with disabilities in the service areas. The Disability Resource Center (Wilmington, NC CIL) and The Adaptables Winston-Salem) provided self advocacy classes in high schools within their service areas. In addition, The Adaptables provided disability sensitivity training through a ÒDifferent but AlikeÓ program for second graders in the Winston-Salem area. Disability Rights & Resources (Charlotte) provided services with Charter Schools, Home Schools and school administrators. In addition, DRR provided self-advocacy, individual advocacy and peer support services to youth with disabilities. The Joy A Shabazz CIL (Greensboro) provided 12 different trainings with youth with disabilities. The IL Network of NC provided 456 youth with disabilities training regarding Independent Living. Any progress made on this activity with Title VII, Chapter 1, Part C funds will be reported separately on the Part II 704 Report.

This activity was achieved for this reporting year

Activity 2.1c Annually, the Centers for Independent Living provide a minimum of 8 outreach events to youth with disabilities in rural areas.
The IL Network of NC exceeded the goal of this activity. The Adaptables provided outreach at 5 different events in rural areas while Joy A Shabazz provided 3 outreach events in rural areas. Each of the CILs within the IL Network were able to provide at least one outreach event to youth with disabilities in rural areas.   
Any progress made on this activity with Title VII, Chapter 1, Part C funds will be reported separately on the Part II 704 Report.  
This activity has been achieved for this year.
Activity 2.1d Annually, the Statewide Independent Living Council assists 2 youth with disabilities to attend the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) conference which focuses on rural independent living; Statewide Independent Living Council funding for each youth supplements other funding resources, such as the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disability Jean Wolff-Rossi Fund for Participant Involvement.
During this reporting period, NCSILC was able to support 6 youth with disabilities to attend the APRIL conference. Part B funds that were set to expire at the end of the fiscal year were used to pay for the 6 youth to attend APRIL. Expenses included airfare, conference registration, meals, hotel and personal assistance. 
This activity was achieved.
Goal 3. Independent Living Services in North Carolina are improved.

Goal Description: The SILC provides Part B funds to support provision of the five core services offered by the eight Centers for Independent Living in North Carolina. The Part B center in Greenville and the Part C center in Wilmington received additional funding.

Objective 3.1: Current service areas do not become unserved or underserved to a greater degree, and previously unserved consumers in North Carolina are served. At a minimum, the current level of funding for Centers for Independent Living is maintained, and funding increases are the optimum outcome.

Activity 3.1.a.  Annually, the Statewide Independent Living Council and the Centers for Independent Living facilitate a minimum of 8 meetings to educate legislators about Centers for Independent Living, and to advocate for state funding of the Centers for Independent Living of North Carolina.

In March 2017, the SILC and CILs conducted an Independent Living Summit in Raleigh, NC. During the IL Summit, SILC members were provided in-depth training on funding streams for federal and state funded programs. SILC and CIL members marched to the Legislative building and met with NC legislators to advocate for state funding for CILs. SILC and CIL members/staff met with more than 20 different legislators. Many SILC and CIL members/staff followed up with Legislators after the IL Summit. In addition, several SILC and CIL members/staff attended the annual NCIL conference and met with Legislators in Washington, DC.

Activity 3.1.b Annually, the Statewide Independent Living Council maintains Title VII Part B funding levels for Part B and Part C Centers.   

Title VII, Chapter 1, Part B funds: the 2016 Ð 2019 SPIL allocates a total of $486,000 to Part B and C CILs in North Carolina through contracts administered by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, with the remaining $20,000 allocated for provision of a Youth Leadership Forum.  The SILC Resource Plan is funded by I&E funds. NCDVRS, NCSILC and CILs were able to negotiate use of I & E funds for the SILC to offset the loss due to sequestration. This negotiation has enabled the SILC and CILs to maintain funding levels.   

Activity 3.1.d. Annually, the Statewide Independent Living Council coordinates Mental Health training for Centers for Independent Living staff and Statewide Independent Living Council members with key partners from mental health organizations.

During the February 2017 NCSILC quarterly meeting a representative from the National Alliance on Mental Health in NC and one from the Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness provided training to NCSILC members and CIL staff in attendance. 

Objective 3.2 People with disabilities have greater access to transportation in their communities.

Activity 3.2.a. In year 1, the Statewide Independent Living Council forms a committee of not fewer than five members to meet at least once with a representative of disability compliance with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to discuss opportunities for Statewide Independent Living Council, Centers for Independent Living and North Carolina Department of Transportation to advocate for greater access for people with disabilities.

The GovernorÕs office decision to replace 75% of SILC members in July 2017 disrupted the formation of a transportation committee. Fortunately, prior to being removed from the SILC, committee members were able to meet with a representative from DOT and scheduled a training for SILC members at the August quarterly meeting. 

Activity 3.2.b. In years 2 and 3, the Statewide Independent Living Council uses findings from year 1, in collaboration with North Carolina Department of Transportation, to implement at least one annual activity to further transportation access for people with disabilities. Activities may include at least one training in accessible transportation to local transit boards.

This activity will be followed up on during the next fiscal year. 

Activity 3.2.c. Annually the Statewide Independent Living Council, in collaboration with North Carolina Department of Transportation, coordinates training on accessible transportation for Centers for Independent Living staff and Statewide Independent Living Council members.

During the August 2017 NCSILC quarterly meeting a representative from NC Department of Transportation provided a power point presentation to NCSILC members and CIL staff in attendance.

Goal 4. People with disabilities in NC live in the community of their choice 

Goal description:  Part B funds are provided to people with disabilities to divert or transition from institutions to community based living.

Objective 4.1. Individuals with disabilities are not forced to live in institutions or shelters and have the opportunity for community-based living.

Activity 4.1.a. Annually, the Centers for Independent Living assist a minimum of 16 transitions or diversions from institutions with potential partners including but not limited to, Money Follows the Person, NC Housing Finance Agency, Local Council on Governments, Housing Authorities and Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Independent Living Rehabilitation Program, etc.

During this reporting period the IL Network of NC used Part B funds to transition and/or divert more than 30 individuals with disabilities from nursing homes. These Part B funds were utilized for such expenses as deposits for rent, security deposits, first and last monthÕs rent, deposits on utilities, home modifications, transportation, furniture, appliances, household items and supplies, groceries, assistive technology and medical supplies.  Staff time and travel expenses were funded under other sources of funding as these expenditures were solely related to the transition itself and expenditures necessary for the individual to return to the community.


Activity 4.1.b Annually, the Centers for Independent Living refer a minimum of 16 people with disabilities for affordable and/or accessible housing through the Key Program Targeted Housing.

During this reporting period the IL Network of NC was able to refer more the 60 individuals with disabilities for affordable and/or accessible housing.

Goal 5. Using I&E Funds the NCSILC office operates efficiently and effectively 

Goal Description:  In accordance with written policies under the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Rehabilitation Act, North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council implements recruitment and membership procedures, coordinates quarterly meetings, provides orientation, mentoring and training for SILC members, coordinates an Independent Living Summit in appropriate years.


Objective 5.1. The NC SILC nonprofit office coordinates SILC-related activities.

Activity 5.1.a. The NC SILC holds quarterly meetings

During this reporting period the NC SILC nonprofit office coordinated 4 quarterly meetings. All of these meetings were held in Burlington, NC. The NC SILC covered expenses for NC SILC members to attend these meetings including travel related costs, meals and personal assistance, if necessary. 

Activity 5.1.b. The NC SILC disseminates information 

During this reporting period the NCSILC office provided 104 sources of information and referral. NCSILC website had 13,533 hits for an average of 37.5 per day. In addition, NCSILC disseminates information from all eight CILs and continuously updates the blog on the website with events activities happening around the state of NC. 

Activity 5.1.c. The NC SILC coordinates and implements a bi-annual Independent Living Summit

The NC SILC coordinated and implemented an IL Summit in March 2017. This yearÕs IL Summit was Ôcarry overÕ or continuation of last yearÕs IL Summit. Objective was to educate legislatures about independent living funding in NC and advocate for state funds for CILs. CILs realize that Title VII Part B & C funds are to be used as Ôseed moneyÕ and CILs are encouraged to seek additional revenue. Most evaluations were positive. Some feedback included, more structured activities are necessary, the IL Summit should be more concise (shorter) with a different focus, and encourage consumers and youth to participate. 

Activity 5.1.d. For NC SILC succession planning, the membership committee identifies and recommends on a continuous basis at least three potential SILC nominees who meet the qualifications mandated in the Rehabilitation Act.

During this reporting period the membership committee had made strides towards recruiting new members. For example, in the April 2017 Membership Committee report it is documented that 2 new members were provided to the Boards and Commissions office. In addition, 3 new potential members were identified. In February 2017, membership packets were sent to the 16 VR offices that house an independent living program for possible recruitment of new members. After the GovernorÕs decision to replace 75% of the SILC in July 2017 there has not been any meetings of the membership committee. 

Activity 5.1.d. The NC SILC membership committee provides orientation and mentorship for all new members

During this reporting period, the Governor removed 75% of the SILC members including the membership committee; therefore, the committee did not have an opportunity to provide orientation for new members. The August 2017 quarterly meeting included the addition of 14 new SILC members; therefore, NC SILC contracted with ILRU to provide a training on SILC roles, responsibilities and regulations