Virginia Association of
Centers for
Independent Living
(VACIL)
Annual Report
October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012
Vision Statement
People with disabilities will have
a community-based, consumer-directed
service delivery system
2
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) by Planning District
* Areas in white are unserved. Areas that are light grey marble are served by satellite offices.
CIL catchment area is listed by Planning District (PD) number
and the year after the CIL name is the date the Center began.
PD1 - Junction Center for Independent Living (JCIL) 1988
City of: Norton
Counties of: Lee, Scott and Wise
PD10- Independence Resource Center (IRC) 1984
City of: Charlottesville
Counties of: Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson
PD2 - Clinch Independent Living Services (CILS) 1998
Counties of: Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and
Tazewell
PD11 - Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living (LACIL)
1998
Cities of: Bedford and Lynchburg
Counties of: Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell
PD3 - Appalachian Independence Center (AIC) 1988
Cities of: Bristol and Galax
Counties of: Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth,
Washington and Wythe
PD12 - Independent Living Services for the Piedmont Area
Satellite Office (BRILC)
Cities of: Danville and Martinsville
Counties of: Franklin, Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania
PD4 - New River Satellite Office (BRILC)
City of: Radford
Counties of: Floyd, Giles, Montgomery & Pulaski
PD15 - Resources for Independent Living (RIL) 1983
City of: Richmond
Counties of: Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover,
Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan
PD5 - Blue Ridge Independent Living Center (BRILC) 1989
Cities of: Covington, Roanoke and Salem
Counties of: Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke
PD6 - Valley Associates for Independent Living (VAIL) 2000
Cities of: Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and
Waynesboro
Counties of: Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and
Rockingham
PD7 - Access Independence (AI) 1985
City of: Winchester
Counties of: Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren
PD8-upper - Endependence Center of Northern VA (ECNV) 1982
Cities of: Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church
Counties of: Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun
PD8-upper - Loudoun Satellite Office (ECNV)
County of: Loudoun
PD8-lower and PD9-upper - Independence Empowerment Center
(IEC) 1999
Cities of: Manassas and Manassas Park
Counties of: Fauquier and Prince William
PD16 - disAbility Resource Center (dRC) 1993
City of: Fredericksburg
Counties of: Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford
PD18-upper - Middle Peninsula Satellite Office (PCIL)
Counties of: Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William,
Matthews and Middlesex
PD19 - Crater District Satellite Office (RIL)
Cities of: Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell and Petersburg
Counties of: Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry and
Sussex
PD22 - Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living (ESCIL)
1999
Counties of: Accomack and Northampton
PD23-upper - Peninsula Center for Independent Living (PCIL)
1987
Cities of: Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and
Williamsburg
County of: James City
PD23-lower - Endependence Center, Inc. (ECI) 1981
Cities of: Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk
and Virginia Beach
Counties of: Isle of Wight and Southampton
3
Number of People with Disabilities that Received
Services from CILs
10,325
During FY 2011-2012 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) provide direct services to
people with disabilities as well as services/advocacy to the community. While 10,325
individuals received direct services, an additional approximately 15,000 received
information and referral services. Each CIL utilizes its operating resources in a way that
meets the needs of the local disability community.
The operating resources for each CIL varies based on the needs and opportunities for
funding in their catchment area. The wide range of funding resources includes:
Federal funding through the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), State
funding from general funds, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, local
government funding, grants, contracts and fund raising activities.
Net Operating Resources for Virginia CILs/FY 11-12
$11,011,269
Local $683,400
Other $2,609,429
State $5,138,305
Federal $3,045,661
Note: Net operating resources are minus pass through funds to people with disabilities in
the amount of $465,526.
4
Individual Services Received by People with Disabilities
Peer Mentoring Services
7,880
Individual Advocacy
2,305
Independent Living Skills Training
28,020
Information and Referral Services
3,640
1,689
Community Integration Services
 Peer Mentoring Services – Counseling, teaching, information sharing, and similar
kinds of contact provided by other people with disabilities.
 Individual Advocacy - Assistance and representation in obtaining access to benefits,
services, and programs and addressing discrimination.
 Independent Living Skills Training – Instruction to develop skills such as personal
care, coping, financial management, social skills, and household management.
Includes education and training necessary for living in the community and
participating in community activities.
 Information and Referral Services – Information and referral to other services.
 Community Integration Services - Housing and Home Modifications, Children,
Family, Communication, Personal Assistance, Transportation, Recreational, Assistive
Technology and Equipment, Pre-Employment Skills, Youth/Transition, etcetera.
5
Community and Advocacy Services
Community Information and Referral (19,709 hours)
Collaboration and Networking (18,433 hours)
Community Education and Public Information (15,659 hours)
Community and Systems Advocacy (12,881 hours)
Outreach (6,027 hours)
Technical Assistance (3,847 hours)
17%
20%
8%
5%
24%
26%
Definitions of Community Services
 Information and Referral - provision of information and referral about disability related
topics and other information.
 Collaboration and Networking - activities related to building coalitions or collaborative
partnerships to expand participation in services, programs, activities, resources and facilities
 Community Education and Public Information – activities to enhance the community’s
awareness of disabilities and disability issues including the creation and distribution
of publications and databases/directories for personal attendants, housing, accessible
transportation, recreation opportunities, and other available services.
 Community and Systems Advocacy - efforts to implement federal, state and local policy
changes to make facilities, services, and opportunities available and accessible.
 Outreach Efforts - location of, and encouragement to use services for unserved/
underserved populations, including minority groups and urban and rural populations.
 Technical Assistance - assistance to the community to make services, programs, activities,
resources, and facilities accessible.
6
Goals Achieved by People with Disabilities Served by CILs
4,000
3,560
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,898
1,500
1,000
693
500
629
589
553
316
240
239
128
19
0
Independent Living goals are established by the person with a disability being served.
Center for Independent Living (CIL) staff members work closely with the person to develop
action steps to meet their goals. The goals may be long-term such as educational,
vocational, relocating from a nursing home, or obtaining independent transportation. The
goals may also be short-term such as learning to use public transportation, obtaining
adaptive equipment or building self-esteem.
The 11 goal areas above represent the types of goals that consumers chose to work on
with assistance from staff.
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Satisfaction Survey Results of Individuals Served by CILs
The Virginia Centers for Independent Living (CILs) survey the people they serve and collect results on an
annual basis. To a great extent the people receiving services have a significant role in developing the
survey instrument and compiling the results. Survey results were collected from many areas of the
Commonwealth where CILs are located and the surrounding catchment areas.
The greatest numbers of individuals that responded remain active participants with their CIL and have
been receiving services for less than five years. An almost equal amount has been receiving services six
to ten years. The surveys completed were a cross representation of all ages and there was an equal
representation of males and females. The surveys were completed by individuals with developmental,
intellectual, mental health, physical and sensory disabilities.
The surveys were designed to measure the satisfaction that the person who received services had with the
quality of the services they received. Included in this is being treated with respect by staff and being
assisted to achieve personal independent living goals.
Of the 592 individuals who completed the surveys, 543 were very satisfied with the quality of services they
received and with the impact of the services on their life. This represents a statewide 91.7% success rate
in CILs serving individuals with disabilities. The satisfaction rate among surveys from each CIL ranged
from 75% - 98%.
Satisfaction With Quality of Services
Respondent Disability Type
Physical 70%
Intellectual and Mental Health 20%
Sensory 10%
92%
8%
70%
Yes
20%
No
10%
How Long Respondent Has Received Services
0-5 Years
6-10 Years
More than 10 Years
43%
48%
9%
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Home Modifications Increase Independence for All Ages
A 4 ½ year old boy with spina bifida received a wheelchair
lift for his home through the assistance of a CIL. Because
he is a wheelchair user and his home was initially
inaccessible, his family would pick him up out of his
wheelchair and carry him up and down the steps every time
he needed to get into and out of the house. With the new lift
he has been able to get into the house on his own and be
more independent. He has also become more active and
participated in two “Roll Your Own” wheelchair obstacle
course events.
Home Modifications in the Kitchen
Peer Mentoring and Skills Training Lead to Quality Life
Through encouragement and exploration with a peer
mentor, an individual with a mental health disability is
working on finding a path that she wants and has the
strength to keep going. She is taking classes for her
Master’s degree and volunteers at the local hospital
and hospice which has helped to increase her
confidence. She has experienced difficulty
communicating with her roommate and after several
meetings together with communication skills training;
the roommates are getting along much better and
have signed another lease to live together.
Peer Mentoring and Skills Training Session
Assisted to Improve Housing
A 65 year old senior with a physical disability and epilepsy was
referred to the CIL by her church. She had moved from out of
state to live with her son and did not want to depend on him for
her livelihood. She met with CIL staff and addressed her fears
about not being able to live independently, due to her physical
condition. She participated in independent living skills trainings
and workshops to build her self-esteem and courage, basic
computer skills, money management, health and wellness,
nutrition and menu planning. Through her participation in a peer
support group and additional workshops she determined she was
able to live independently. Staff assisted her in locating affordable
housing and obtaining a housing choice voucher. She was
provided assistance in completing apartment applications,
provided financial assistance through referrals and resources to
furnish her apartment and get home modifications.
Accessible Housing
9
Transitioning into the Community
A middle aged man with spina bifida moved into a nursing facility after
the city deemed the residence where he was living to be unfit for
habitation and required him to move. Through his social worker at the
nursing facility, he learned about the local CIL. He began to receive
peer mentoring where he worked on improving his overall confidence.
He began to create a plan to live independently again and was
assisted by his Peer Mentor to apply for Section 8 subsidized housing
and was able to receive a voucher. Through peer mentoring, he
addressed his concerns and began to work on independent living skills
training. Together with his Peer Mentor, he located an accessible
apartment to rent in an area on a bus line with paratransit services and
obtained case management and support services through the DD
Waiver. After locating housing, transition planning and assistance was
provided through Money Follows the Person (MFP). He is enjoying his
independence and living in the community.
Transitioning into the Community
Addressing Homelessness
A young man receiving SSI, Child Disability Benefits, food stamps
and Medicaid was homeless, living in a hotel. He started working
part-time in May and is living in his own apartment. The CIL provided
information on two work incentives, and staff assisted him in
completing the necessary forms for him to take to Social Security
office and City Human Services office to enroll in both work
incentives in order to keep his Medicaid benefit. He is no longer
receiving a cash payment from SSI and continues to live in his own
residence.
Accessible Housing
Medicaid Waiver Services Increase Independence
Personal Assistance
A 66 year old individual with a complicated hip replacement needed
numerous surgeries that resulted in her being in a coma for ten
months. She woke up in a nursing facility and needed to use a
wheelchair and learned that she might lose her home. She was
referred to her local CIL and information was provided on Medicaid
Waiver services. Using the information provided by the CIL she was
about to transition back to her home. In addition, the staff provided
equipment resources and assisted with obtaining modifications to her
home. Through physical therapy she is able to utilize a walker and is
working on being able to utilize a cane. While she still qualifies for
nursing facility placement at a cost of $42,000 per year, with Medicaid
Waiver services at a cost of less than $20,000 per year she receives
care and support in her own home.
10
Achieving Accessible Environment
An individual learned about Medicaid Waiver services from the local CIL. She attended college with
personal assistance services and is now employed. She was able to get a wheelchair accessible
apartment with assistance from CIL staff that also provided her and the property manager with technical
assistance on bathroom modifications that resulted in a roll-in shower.
Achieving Accessible Environment
Building a Career
An individual with a disability was able to start managing her own finances after being in the
representative payee program for seven years. She has had many struggles through the years. At first,
CIL staff met with her on a weekly basis and then after several years she was able to change it to a
monthly basis as her abilities improved to better manage her own finances. She has not only started
managing her finances but has purchased a laptop computer and opened a hand crafted jewelry kiosk
in a local mall.
Employment
Increased Communication
Annually a CIL arranges for a “sensory sensitive Santa” visit for children with disabilities whose
disability causes them to be overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, crowds, and wait times of a Santa visit
at the mall. Santa comes prepared with a Santa Social Story and a communication board for children
to use to help them reduce anxiety and communicate easily with Santa.
11
“Nothing about us without us.”
By: James I. Charlton, Author
Virginia CIL consumers and staff at Medicaid Matters Rally in Washington, DC
Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL)
VACIL is a statewide Association of Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
that advocates for the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities
into all aspects of society. The Association also promotes the
professional development, improvement, and expansion of
community-based, consumer-controlled CILs, and promotes
community education throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living
1502B Williamson Road, NE
Roanoke, VA 24012
(540) 342-1231 Voice/TTY
www.vacil.org
info@vacil.org
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Access Independence
Donald Price, Executive Director
403B South Loudoun Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: (540) 662-4452
TTY: (540) 722-9693
askai@accessindependence.org
Independence Empowerment Center
Mary Lopez, Executive Director
9001 Digges Road, Suite 103
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 257-5400
TTY: (703) 257-5400
info@ieccil.org
Appalachian Independence Center
Greg Morrell, Executive Director
230 Charwood Drive
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: (276) 628-2979
TTY: (276) 676-0920
gmorrell@aicadvocates.org
Independence Resource Center
Tom Vandever, Executive Director
815 Cherry Ave
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 971-9629
TTY: (434) 971-9629
tvandever@ntelos.net
Blue Ridge Independent Living
Karen Michalski-Karney,
Executive Director
1502B Williamson Road NE
Roanoke, VA 24012
Phone: (540) 342-1231
TTY: (540) 342-1231
brilc@brilc.org
Junction Center for Independent Living
E. Dennis Horton, Executive Director
PO Box 1210
Norton, VA 24273
Phone: (276) 679-5988 or 5989
TTY: (276) 679-5988 or 5989
jcil1@junctioncenter.org
Clinch Independent Living Services
Betty Bevins, Executive Director
1139C Plaza Drive
Grundy, VA 24614
Phone: (276) 935-6088
TTY: (276) 935-0780
cils@clinchindependent.org
disAbility Resource Center
Debe Fults, Executive Director
409 Progress Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 373-2559
TTY: (540) 373-5890
drc@cildrc.org
Eastern Shore
Center for Independent Living
Althea Pittman, Executive Director
4364 Lankford Highway, Suites A & B
Exmore, VA 23350
Phone: (757) 414-0100
TTY: (757) 414-0080
altheapittman@yahoo.com
Endependence Center, Inc.
Stephen Johnson, Executive Director
6300 East Virginia Beach Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: (757) 461-8007
TTY: (757) 461-7527
ecinorf@endependence.org
Endependence Center of Northern VA
Kim Gibson, Executive Director
3100 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 525-3268
TTY: (703) 525-3553
info@ecnv.org
Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living
Phil Theisen, Executive Director
500 Alleghany Avenue, Suite 520
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone: (434) 528-4971
TTY: (434) 528-4972
phil@lacil.org
Peninsula Center for Independent Living
Insight Enterprises, Inc.
Ralph Shelman, Executive Director
2021-A Cunningham Drive, Suite 2
Hampton, VA 23666
Phone: (757) 827-0275
TTY: (757) 827-8800
iepcil@hvacil.org
Resources for Independent Living
Gerald O’Neill, Executive Director
4009 Fitzhugh Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 353-6503
TTY: (804) 353-6583
O’neillg@ril-va.org
Valley Associates for Independent Living
Gayl Brunk, Executive Director
3210 Peoples Dr. Suite 220
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: (540) 433-6513
TTY: (540) 438-9265
gayl@govail.org