A Basic Orientation Oregon’s Statewide Independent Living Council The voice of IL program consumers -Nothing about us without us! What are we here for? Silhouette of person with hand on hip and other hand scratching head. A question mark hangs over them. "The purpose of life is to collaborate for a common cause; the problem is nobody seems to know what it is." - Gerhard Gschwandtner Let’s start at the beginning! Brief history: The Independent Living Movement Setting the stage… 1.Social crises •Polio Epidemic & Returning Injured Veterans 2.The civil rights struggle 1950s & 60s •Dignity & Equality 3.The consumer movement 1960-mid 80s •Empowerment & Informed Choice The Movement Begins to Form 1.Ed Roberts and the Student Movement •UC Berkley & the battle for access to education •Peers support and assist each other •Community members come to these students for assistance with community access •Similar occurrences around the US 2.Capacity Issues •Students must do peer mentoring off campus •Development of “The Center for Independent Living” A Philosophy Forms • Right to independence & equal participation • Not “patients” to be treated, but “consumers” of services • Informed personal choice - the option to take risks - personal responsibility • Respect/Dignity/Confidentiality • Nothing about us without us • Normalization/Deinstitutionalization • People have unique strengths and abilities – they don’t need to be fixed to fit a standard – they aren’t broken We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others are bright, so me have weird names, but they have to learn to live in the same box – Anonymous A Program is Established Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978 • Established first federal funding for Independent Living services – People with disabilities begin forming Centers for IndependentLiving around the country – Advocates begin requesting clearer legal definitions to maintainthe philosophy and integrity of the services Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 • Established standards & assurances – preventing hospitals and non-IL entities from using IL funding • Established Statewide Independent Living Councils – Consumer-controlled entities focused on statewide program planning and coordination SILC Responsibilities 1. Writing and approving a State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) – Developed jointly with CILs. Signed by SILC and CILs, with the Designated State Entity signing as the fiscal fiduciary for the program. 2. Examine and assess the quality of how the State plan is carried out, and monitor progress toward goals/objectives – Working with partners to make adjustments when needed 3. Advertise and regularly hold, public meetings as opportunities for input 4. Submit periodic federal reports and maintain supporting records – Refers to the annual report on State Plan progress – the Program Performance Rpt (PPR) 5. Coordinate activities with other entities in the state that provide similar or complementary services, such as entities facilitating long-term community-based services and supports. Major purposes of coordinated activities include: ▫ AssessingIL service needs ▫ Reducing service duplication ▫ Filling service gaps ▫ Achieving better service coordination SILC Authorities Consistent with the State Plan, and unless prohibited by State law, SILCs may… •Work with CILs to coordinate services with public and privateentities, to improve services to people with disabilities •Conduct public and private resource development activities tosupport the SILC’s activities or the provision of independentliving services by CILs •May do other functions, consistent with the purpose of ILservices and the SILC’s functions, that the Council determinesto be appropriate Limitations The SILC may not provide IL services directly or manage such services. Summary of the SILC’s role The Federal Administration on Community Living (ACL) said the following about SILCs: “Through statutorily established activities and responsibilities, it is the goal of SILCs to improve independent living outcomes for persons with significant disabilities statewide.” What documents guide the SILC? 1st, FEDERALRehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII - as amended Describes the structure and purpose of the IL program. Code of Federal Regulations Describes how to carry out the law in detail. 2nd, STATEExecutive Order of the Governor (1994). Various Oregon Revised Statues for Public Entities (ORS). Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 582-085-0005 (Regarding providers receiving IL service funds). Various State Policies – Financial & Human Resource. 3rd SILCBylaws. SILC Policies & Procedures Manual. Important Laws for SILC Members •Representation -May not speak on the Council’s behalf without specificCouncil approval •Conflict of Interest – Announce a conflict of interest prior to any vote, whether the conflict is actual or might be perceived •Honoraria Restriction–May not receive funds for conducting SILC presentations or representing the SILC at an event, other than cost reimbursement•Gift Restrictions–May not give to a public official or receive anything of economic value "as a SILC member" greater than $50 per calendar year. This includes immediate relatives or people who live with you or any public official. The limit for gifts of entertainment is $0. Regular political contributions and personal, non-SILC giving/receiving are an exception to the gift restrictions. •Incidental entertainment at a permissible event is an exception–Food or drinks are considered gifts, unless it is incidental food/drink free to everyone at a reception. Full meals are not incidental. Exceptions include: •When you are there to speak or answer questions as part of the program•When at an official meeting, convention or fact-finding mission paid for by the federal, state, local or tribal government organization the SILC is a member of, or a non-profit corporation that receives less than 5% of its funding from private sources. Who are the Key Players in the IL Pr ogram? 1.Centers for Independent Living (CILs) – Grass root, non-profits run by people with disabilities. •Provide services to consumers •Promote systems change 2.Designated State Entity (DSE) – The Vocational Rehabilitation Program (within the Department of Human Services) •Manage IL program resources •Assure funds are going to eligible entities and are used for the intended purpose. (Includes verifying CIL accountability to program standards. Some CILs receive direct federal funds and are also monitored by the Federal authority.) 3.Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) – Includes consumers, advocates, business & agency reps - a majority of whom must be individuals with disabilities •Coordinate statewide program planning - includes the IL state plan & coordination between IL services and other service programs •Enhance program effectiveness through monitoring state plan progress and identifying barriers that may need to be addressed Association of Oregon Centers for Independent Living (AOCIL) 1.Forum for CIL consultation and consensus on statewide initiatives that further independence for people with disabilities2.Shared outreach and education initiatives to community partners, including elected officials and governmental administrators3.Shared service contracts or grants with state or private agencies This association is not defined in federal law as a program entity but does play a role in Oregon’s IL program. Some Oregon CILs may not be members. The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) • 3-Year State Plan • Provides guidance for funding and activities of Oregon’s IL program. • Responsibility for implementation belongs to all IL program partners, but CILs have major role in regard to IL services. • Development of the SPIL includes: ‒Assessment of needs and other consumer input ‒Development of specific goals, objectives and activities ‒Setting of funding priorities for currently served and unserved areas ‒Signature by the SILC, 51% of CILs & acknowledgement by the Designated State Entity • Evaluation of the plan’s implementation is a SILC responsibility, working with partners to resolve barriers and improve outcomes. • State Plan progress reports (Program Performance Reports/PPRs) - submitted each December by CILs & January by States that receive Federal funds. Used to be called 704 Reports because section 704 is the Rehab Act section about SPILs. Here is a summary of what we are trying to accomplish in our current State Plan We are working toward: 1.Ensuring our funding formulas & methods are regularly updated to addressexpansion/capacity building. 2.Advocating for IL program funding. 3.Engaging with partners to increase resources to better meet the needs of IL consumers. 4.Ensuring consumers receive services that facilitate their goals, including services related to disasters or emergencies. Summary of Goals (continued) •Improving consumer access to health care. •Advocating for: –expanded transportation options and housing access for people with disabilities. –Other local and statewide issues impacting consumer needs. •Educating partners and funders regarding the value of IL services. •Holding an Oregon IL Conference to provide training and technical assistance. •Pursuing a youth leadership training initiative across the state. Your job as a SILC member You are part of the SILC because your voice matters! 1.Complete the orientation process and keep on learning (includes completing annual trainings required by the Governor). 2.Prepare for, attend and participate in SILC meetings –SILC Bylaws - “Grounds for removal include continued neglect of duties required by law, failure to attend two consecutive meetings without just cause.” 3.Respond to email & other SILC correspondence –If you ever receive an e-mail from SILC staff that says it is “secure”, follow instructions for accessing the message – or ask staff if they can resend the item unsecured. E-mail coded to bypass e-mail security features will have #u# in the subject line. 4.Perhaps join a SILC work group or committee 5.Be an ambassador for the IL philosophy –Occasionally, you may be asked to represent the SILC at an event (partner meetings, conferences, exhibits, etc.) Logistics – Travel Information • Quarterly meeting travel information – This is e-mailed a few weeks prior to meetings to help with planning. – RSVP – even if you can’t attend! • State Travel Rules determine maximum reimbursements – Staff will work with you to submit your travel claim to obtain reimbursements for: ‒Mileage or hired transportation ‒Lodging – keep receipts! (Unless direct billed to the SILC) • Overnight usually only when outside a 70 mile radius or when the day is extra long with an unreasonable commute. That radius figures a full day of work with about a 90 min commute each way. May request disability accommodation. ‒Per diem for meals that aren’t provided at event. Sometimes applies only to those on overnight status ‒Disability accommodations (Attendant/driver, food, guestrooms, material format? Use Accommodation Request Form. Resubmit when anything changes.) • Meeting materials – Surface mailed and e-mailed for arrival 1 week before meetings • Logistics Contact – Shelly Emery – shelly.emery@odhs.oregon.gov – 503-945-6204 Acronyms As with any program the Independent Living program has many acronyms. Find a list of SILC acronyms… • In your member handbook (staff will provide soon) • On the table at SILC meetings • On the SILC website – www.orsilc.org