July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015
Annual Report
Independence Now
The mission of Independence Now is to facilitate independent
thought and action by people with disabilities. We promote the
principle that each person has value. To this end, we provide the
tools for individuals to develop and discover their power to
control their interactions with the environment, their families and
their communities. Independence Now is part of a state and
national network of Centers for Independent Living.
Independence Now
12301 Old Columbia Pike, Suite 101
Silver Spring, MD 20904
1300 Caraway Court, Suite 200
Largo, MD 20774
301-277-2839
www.innow.org
Independence Now 2015 - A Year of Celebration and Change
Sarah Sorensen, Executive Director
This year Independence Now celebrates its 20th year! It so nicely coincides with the 25th
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We have much to celebrate!
Independence Now was founded in 1994 as a joint initiative between the Montgomery County Commission on People
with Disabilities and the Prince George's County Commission for Individuals with Disabilities. The Commissions sought
to create an organization operated by and for people with disabilities that: 1) providing services to people with all types
of disabilities in the two counties and 2) uniting their advocacy voices. In 20 years, Independence Now has grown to
serve over 450 people a year and offers a variety of services to people with disabilities.
This is also a time of change, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) passed in July 2014. Now the
Independent Living Administration is in the process of being created within the US Department of Health and Human
Services under the Administration for Community Living (ACL). All Independent Living programs, like the CILs and SILCs
will be housed under the Independent Living Administration. The Independent Living Administration will operate under
the Independent Living Philosophy and will draw upon the decades of expertise developed in IL nationally, providing
effective leadership of the program. Additionally, placing the Independent Living Program within ACL places it with an
administration with an aligning vision: ‘All people, regardless of age and disability, live with dignity, make their own
choices, and participate fully in society.’
The passing of WIOA also brings a change to the IL core services, adding a fifth core service: transition. CILs are now the
sole organization mandated to implement services like transitioning persons from institutions to community life or
assisting persons with disabilities to avoid nursing home or institutional placement. This work is not new to most CILs
and is certainly not new to Independence Now, but we are thrilled to have it recognized as a focus at the federal level.
In addition to the one already mentioned, the fifth core service has another component of transition: facilitate the
transition of youth who are individuals with significant disabilities and have completed their secondary education or
otherwise left school, to postsecondary life.
Administrative Staff:
Sarah Sorensen, Executive Director
Todd Thorpe, Director of Operations
Brian Thompson, Director of Finance
Travel Training
For those of us who commute on a daily basis it is easy to take it for granted and even sometimes become annoyed that
the train or bus is running late, but for some, stepping on that train or bus is stepping out into a whole new world. It is a
freedom which that person has never before experienced. Family dynamics change as parents see their child grow and
become more independent. Many families doubt their child’s ability and then tear up with pride at their
accomplishment. Travel training is a life changing journey, an “aha” moment on the path of an individual who is growing
their confidence.
Once such individual named Sue, was so intimidated by the process that after the first training she quit. The travel
trainer continued to inquire and encourage Sue along with her parents until finally they agreed to resume. Sue’s trip
consisted of two busses. The time came for Sue to travel alone with the travel trainer following. After much persistence
and encouragement by the travel trainer, Sue boarded the first bus all by herself. She not only completed the first part
of the trip, but when the trainer called to let her know that she would join her on the second leg, Sue told her she was
already on the second bus headed toward her destination.
It’s hard to say how Sue felt when she stepped on the bus for the first time alone, but at the end of it she was filled with
pride. Sue will never be the same. Her world is no longer limited to a world inside her home the possibilities are endless.
Her life changed with that one step.
Staff:
Trish Foley, Project Director
Denise Sosbe, Travel Trainer
Brandon Taylor, Travel Trainer
Youth Programs
In 2014, 15 delegates completed the Youth Leadership Forum that was split with one day at Montgomery College and
two days at Towson University and additional follow up sessions conducted regionally during September. The students
spent the first day of the 2014 forum getting to know each other and learning about the history of disability culture and
various resources that can assist the independence of people with disabilities. When the group met again at Towson
University two weeks later, they spent two days learning about advocacy for themselves and their communities, and
talking about ways to achieve their future goals.
The low graduation and participation numbers in 2014 led to a careful examination and
overhaul of the scheduling of the program and design of the activities. After many
advisory committee meetings the team set a plan for the 2015 YLF to be hosted
completely at Towson University for 3 days and 2 nights and the return of the field trip
to Annapolis to learn about the legislative process and advocacy. In May about half of
the thirty 2015 delegates met at University of Maryland, College Park’s Challenge
Course for an afternoon of team building and problem solving activities before they
Team Building Activity at UM - College Park
attend the Youth Leadership Forum at the end of June.
This past year we started the Speak up! Social series for transitioning youth and young
adults with disabilities. The group meets on Saturday afternoons to discuss looking for jobs, attending college classes
and navigating different types of relationships.
Staff: Katie Carroll, Youth Program Coordinator
Maryland Work Incentives Network (WIPA)
Last year, we reported that this project had gotten off to a slow re-start after being de-funded for a year. This year, we
are happy to report that “slow” is not an adjective that can be used to describe this project. We are serving hundreds of
individuals who receive disability benefits across the state. We help people in a wide variety of circumstances from
those just testing the waters to those who are jumping in and need help avoiding problems with their benefits to those
who have jumped in and need help sorting out problems that have already happened.
The Maryland Work Incentives Network serves the entire state. Cindy LaBon and David Mitchell provide all of the WIPA
services for Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert Counties. The rest of the state is served by 4
sub-grantees: Full Circle Employment Solutions, Resources for Independence, Mosaic Community Services and Way
Station. These 5 organizations have developed a good working relationship and are cooperatively creating a successful
program.
The services provided by Maryland Work Incentives Network are a vital life-line to many individuals who cannot find
these services elsewhere. One such individual called after learning that his benefits had been terminated and he had an
overpayment for more than $12,000. We investigated the situation and learned that there were at least 2 work
incentives that should have been applied. We helped him request a reconsideration of the overpayment. The claims
representative also found another work incentive. All of these work incentives allowed him to get his benefits back, the
overpayment reversed and he is still working and earning over $1,200 a month.
Staff:
David Mitchell, Project Director
Cindy LaBon, CWIC
Independence Now, Inc. Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2014
TOTALS
2014
2013
Assets
$
$
Cash and cash equivalents
434,272
346,698
Investments
608,699
576,444
Grants and contracts receivable
167,845
180,324
Prepaid expenses and other
liabilities
17,323
11,555
Property and equipment, net
13,618
11,939
1,241,757
1,126,960
Accounts and other payables
102,222
78,209
Deferred revenue
33,474
55,997
Deferred rent
12,043
17,730
Capital leases
9,912
9,912
157,651
161,848
Unrestricted
1,081,815
967,977
Temporarily restricted
2,291
2,139
1,084,106
970,116
Total assets
Liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Total Net Assets
Independence Now, Inc.
Statements of Support, Revenue and Expenses and Changes in Net Assets Balances
As of September 30, 2014
TOTALS
2014
$
1,403,047
34,408
1,437,455
2013
$
1,140,907
61,351
1,202,258
Program services
General and administrative
1,292,666
30,799
1,001,189
97,290
Total expenses
Changes in Net Assets
1,323,465
113,990
1,098,479
103,779
Support and Revenue
Support
Revenue
Total support and revenue
Expenses
Independent Living Services
Independence Now has provided independent living (IL) services to 441 consumers with disabilities who live in
Montgomery and Prince George's Counties during this reporting year. Through the provision of IL Core services and
other IN programs consumers received assistance with achieving their self-directed goals.
Ms. N is a 29 years old, college graduate, who was referred by Medstar Rehab Hospital for assistance with obtaining
support and resources in Montgomery County. Her life was drastically changed when she was hit by a snowplow and
sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury. Prior to her disability she was living in another state, on her own, and working fulltime. Before receiving IL services, she had not left her home without a family member in two years. Her family was
reluctant to let her out of their sight and in meetings she was quiet and reserved around family. Ms. N has worked
diligently to achieve 8 out of 10 independent living goals, including obtaining Citizenship, DORS services, completing
travel training, personal resource management, Self-Advocacy/Self-Empowerment and adjusting to disability.
Ms. N stated that her sister cried the first time she went out on her own. Now, after completing travel training, her
mother no longer rides the public bus with her, she rides independently.
With the positive support of IN staff, this intelligent person has broken forth with resilience and determination, gaining
great confidence.
Mr. A is a 51 year old with a physical disability due to sarcoidosis. Prior to beginning IL Services in
May 2013, he was essentially homeless, bouncing from place to place, in and out of hospitals and
moving out of the county for three months of shelter. He faced the dilemma of renting a room or
buying his medicine. His only financial resource is SSDI benefits and Medicare health insurance.
Mr. A came to IN with these stressful housing issues and feeling incapable of supporting himself
financially to live independent. Mr. A with the assistance of his IL Specialist, applied for Weinberg
housing units. In 7 months with IN staff advocacy efforts, he moved into a subsidized Weinberg
unit. This had allowed more finances for other life expenses and medication.
Mr. A has successfully completed 15 of his independent living skills goals. Furthermore, he
continues to build his self-esteem, independence and is now in control of his everyday life. Mr. A is currently serving as
an advocate on IN’s Housing Action Team (HAT) advocating for accessible housing for individuals with disabilities. He
stated that he is so thankful to IN for helping him obtain housing and that with his many years of homelessness, he
doesn't have the words to thank us.
Independence Now was privileged to have on staff for the 2014-2015 academic year a Gallaudet University intern who
provided IL services to consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing. IL staff has built new relationships through
outreach and through the launching of a new program, a collaborative effort with current, new agencies, companies and
churches who assisted with providing quality service for consumers. Consumers’ individualized self-directed goals were
accomplished and consumers began new goals. Our department will focus on more services requests identified by
consumers, outreach and continue making a stronger advocacy effort with housing initiatives and housing readiness for
our consumers.
Staff:
Deborah Jackson, Director
Rochelle Harrod, Independent Living Specialist
Kelvin Hawkins, Independent Living Specialist
Shannon Minnick, Independent Living Specialist
Annual Independent Living Highlights
269 Consumers served in Prince George’s County
968 Peer Counseling Services Provided
172 Consumers served in Montgomery County
39 Outreach/education sessions
542 IL Skills Training and Life Skills Training
3149 Information and Referral Services Provided
202 Advocacy/Legal Services
16 Transition Services
Money Follows the Person
Money Follows the Person (MFP) in Maryland is a statewide program with the purpose of aiding Medicaid eligible
nursing facility residents to transition from institutional living to community living. Our Peer Support Partners, who have
personal experience with disability and institutional settings conduct outreach and support at 48 nursing facilities in
Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties. The three main components of Independence Now’s MFP Program include
peer outreach, peer support and options counseling. These services offer support and equip residents with the tools and
resources to transition into the community. This year we have seen great interest from residents and social workers
alike, with numerous transitions occurring through our program. For example, due to the high population of young men
at a particular nursing facility, the peer support counselors organized events to target these men and educate them
about community options. These efforts have generated great interest and spurred at least one transition. Mr. L, a 46
year old man who had been residing in a nursing facility for numerous years. We look forward to the continuing increase
of transitions!
Staff: Carlos Garner, Peer Support Partner
Yolanda Williams, Options Counseling and Data Entry
Michael Saunders, Peer Support Partner
Devon Harrison, Peer Support Partner
Assistive Technology
Independence Now has a grant from DORS to assist with the funding of home modifications. Sometimes it is a smooth
process from request to fulfillment and sometimes there are bumps along the way. In early October of 2014 Ms. H
contacted Independence Now for assistance in obtaining some way of getting out of her home safely. She lives in an
older home with a screened in front porch. When I went out to evaluate the possibility of either a ramp or a lift, I was
stumped. The configuration of her house and yard made both problematic. She contacted three contractors and waited
out the weather and her health for their estimates. By January she had two estimates and in March she sent me this email: ‘By way of follow-up, I wanted you to know that I finally caught up with a third contractor when he returned my
call last week. I wanted to check back with you to know if he has sent the other estimate. If he has not, please let me
know if you have any other suggestions.’ In early March, all three contractors had agreed that a vertical lift on the side
of her house made the most sense, but they then had differing ideas regarding the exact configuration. By the end of
March, Ms. H decided which layout made the most sense to her and got new bids so as to be able to decide which
vendor to award the work. She would receive a vertical lift on the side of the house with a sidewalk from the street.
Finally, after the rains in April held up work, the sidewalk was laid on May 9th and the lift installed on the 18th. I
received this note from Ms. H: ‘Hope this note finds you well. I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the work
performed at my home. Thank you so much for all of your personal assistance and the help of Independence Now. I
cannot explain how comforting it is for myself and my family now that I am able to get in and out of my home safely. It's
priceless. God bless you for your commitment to improving the lives of others.’
Staff: Trish Foley, Director of Community Programs
Supports Planning
In March of 2015, Independence Now became a Supports Planning Agency serving Montgomery County. Through this
program, we assist consumers to remain in community settings and to transition from nursing facilities by coordinating
their Medicaid services from a person centered perspective. These services range from personal care, to home
delivered meals, transition services and home modifications. In the past three months we have served clients of varying
ethnicities, disabilities and ages. Mr. C is a 99 year old who will be able to remain living at home due to access to
personal care through this program. In addition, Mr. S is a 41 year old who entered a nursing facility due to a fall, but
through personal care and transition services he will be able to move back into the community. As a new agency, we
look forward to serving more consumers like these and further expansion in the coming months.
Staff: Meredith Raymond, Director Supports Planning Services
Tonya Gilchrist, Supports Planner
Independence Now’s Board of Directors:
Robert Watson, President, Prince George’s County
Cindy Buddington, Vice-President, Montgomery County
Sarah Allan, Secretary, Montgomery County
Justin Campbell, Treasurer, Prince George’s County
Don Gilchrist, Montgomery County (resigned February 2015)
Timothy Hairston, Prince George’s County
David Johnson, Montgomery County
Sandra Sermons, Montgomery County
Alex Vakalopoulos, Montgomery County
Gallaudet Intern, Albert McCrea celebrating his
graduation with his parents and IL Services Director
Deborah Jackson
Independence Now Funders
Aid Association for the Blind of the District of Columbia
Maryland Department of Aging
Maryland Department of Disabilities
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
Prince George’s County Department of Family Services
Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development
Social Security Administration
US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
And private contributions!
Independence Now’s services are free of charge and are provided without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, national
origin, age, religion, or type(s) of disability.
All public information is available in alternate formats such as Braille, large print or electronic upon request.