State Independent Living Council Logo - Circled State of Oregon Map Highway Interchange Issue # 41 - August, 2010 Road Construction Under Way! Just as you’re starting your morning commute, you see a flagger waving a stop sign in your direction. Cars are merging from multiple, converging roads. “How long is this going to take, and where are they detouring us?” Then, when you finally think you’ve conquered the construction zone and are getting up to speed, you hear the familiar ding-ding-ding of the railroad crossing and know you’ll never make it to work on time. You grumble, “Will it never end?” That pretty much describes what many people in the Independent Living community are feeling these days. The causes? It seems that IL Program “reconstruction” began with the closure of the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) regional offices. Within RSA, the task of centralization required hiring a new “work crew”, setting up a new framework for many of RSA’s tasks, and building new lines of communication between the states and RSA. The new RSA team started by reviewing the “rules of the road” - better known as the Rehabilitation Act. This review resulted in new ways of applying regulations. New state monitoring teams were developed, along with new monitoring protocols. Mandated partners in each state’s IL Program (SILCs, Vocational Rehabilitation programs and Centers for Independent Living) tried to figure out what new roads they would each have to take, in light of these changes. In the midst of the rerouting, the U.S. Congress sent American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to stimulate the economy. The result? More reconstruction! In order to receive the funding, uncharted roads had to be built and connected to the existing IL Program regulatory system. That required research and negotiation to prepare a blue print for how these funds would be utilized in each state. Implementing a new funding source required consumer input and the development of amendments to Oregon’s State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). Oregon Map During the spring of this year, just as states prepared to submit their 2011-2013 State Plans for federal approval, new guidance was issued by RSA, addressing Title VII, Part C priorities in the law. The guidance prioritized expanding the networks of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) before strengthening existing federally funded CILs. In response to the guidance, a commitment was added to Oregon’s State Plan to take a fresh look at possible methods for making Independent Living services available in areas currently unserved by any CIL. During all this reconstruction, the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) has been busy advocating for the long overdue reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act. Believing that the Act needs some updating, NCIL began work on one set of plans that called for a separate, consumer-controlled Independent Living Administration, comparable to RSA. This would allow the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and the Independent Living Program to each have their own, customized administrations in an appropriate Federal department. As potential for funding shortfalls looms over this approach, NCIL also continues to pursue a previous strategy of promoting less dramatic Rehabilitation Act language changes, aimed at bridging the gaps in current law that prevent the IL program from being as effective as possible. THE CURRENT ROAD MAP To give you a lay of the land as it currently stands, here is a very basic summary of the current roles and responsibilities of IL Program partners. The Designated State Units (Office of Vocation Rehabilitation Services & Oregon Commission for the Blind) receive and disburse IL Program funds received by the State. In particular, OVRS administers State General Fund &/or Title VII, Part B grants to Centers for Independent Living for the provision of IL services. The SILC (State Independent Living Council) collaborates with the Designated State Unit(s) to develop the State Plan for Independent Living and then monitors its effectiveness. The SILC also fosters communication with other programs and organizations to evaluate service gaps and seek ways to promote Independent Living philosophy among all disability service organizations. CILs (Centers for Independent Living) provide direct consumer services, and lead in systems change efforts that will allow for independence and inclusion of people with disabilities within their communities. Contemplating sign with multiple directions CHANGES IN COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP The membership of the State Independent Living Council did not miss out on the spirit of reconstruction that has recently been characteristic of the Independent Living program. Changes included Frank Synoground’s retirement from the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB), where he has served as OCB’s representative on the SILC. Thankfully, Frank was not ready to retire from the SILC altogether, so was appointed to the Council as a regular voting member. A short time later, the SILC’s Chairperson, Angel Hale, announced her resignation, as she was asked to go to work for OCB, where she would fill the job position that Frank Synoground had held for many years. OCB then designated Angel as their non-voting, ex- officio representative to the SILC. The SILC is pleased that Frank’s retirement only meant a “lane change” for both Angel and Frank! This month, Vice-Chairperson, Brad Collins, resigned from the SILC in order to give sufficient time and attention to his job and his family. We certainly will miss Brad and the knowledge of Independent Living philosophy he brought to the Council. We wish him all the best and are glad we will still be able to stay in touch through his work with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. In July, the Governor appointed Jackie Hovey as our newest SILC member, representing eastern Oregon. We welcome Jackie’s membership and what she will add to the Council’s expertise. STATE PLAN UPDATE The Rehabilitation Services Administrtation (RSA) is currently reviewing Oregon’s 2011-2013 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) and seeking clarifications that we hope will lead to SPIL approval by October 1, 2010. SPIL goals include creation of more collaborative information and peer support systems to help Oregonians with disabilities gain greater access to transportation, healthcare and housing. Recruiting!