JANUARY - TACIL NEWSLETTER
Don’t Miss This Great Opportunity to Elevate TACIL and Your CIL’s Profile!
The time to sign up is NOW!
As a benefit for our members, TACIL is sponsoring a “Branding Beyond the Logo” workshop in Austin, TX on February 8 and 9, 2010. You will learn skills to raise awareness of your Center and build an improved statewide CIL network, the latter of which will leverage your TACIL membership when speaking with decision makers.
National non-profit branding expert Larry Checco will facilitate this hands-on workshop, which will help CILs answer fundamental branding questions: Who are we? What do we do? How do we do it? And why should anyone care?
Other topics covered include:
- A clear explanation of what a brand is and how to define yours and that of TACIL
- Promotion strategies utilizing both traditional and social networking technologies
- How to tailor your CIL’s and TACIL’s messages to various audiences, including advocates, your local community, state agencies and Texas legislators.
We will work together to develop and implement a cohesive message for TACIL in the upcoming session and you’ll leave with an individualized blueprint to implement a practical, cost-effective rebranding component into your Center’s business, promotion, outreach and education activities.
Please join TACIL in Austin for this valuable interactive session! We are happy to cover one night’s lodging for one Center representative from each of the 26 CILs. The meeting will be held at the brand new luxurious AT&T Center, which is walking distance from both UT and downtown. www.meetattexas.com., 1900 University Ave. Austin, TX 78705. An agenda is forthcoming.
Contact Jodi Park by Jan. 29th (Jodi@txsilc.org or 512-694-3395) with the name of your representative and their accessibility needs and get ready to have an enjoyable and educational time in Austin!
***Please bring samples of your CIL’s printed materials: brochures, reports, press releases, etc. for peer review. We will have open discussions related to specific branding challenges faced by each CIL.
Centers for Independent Living Maximize Federal Stimulus Funds!
ABLE Center for Independent Living (Odessa)
ABLE is using ARRA funds to purchase laptop computers to offer computer classes in the service areas, pay for Navigators’ mileage to reach service area counties and complete the online learning network to offer on-line independent living classes to consumers.
ARCIL Resource Centers for Independent Living (Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos)
ARCIL is using ARRA funds to provide additional resources for relocation activities. We are also improving the technology base to increase the centers’ capacity to serve a broader consumer base with emphasis on youth as they pursue independent living and employment opportunities in the community.
Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living (CBCIL) in Corpus Christi
CBCIL is utilizing its' ARRA funds to expand office service area. We will expand out I&R abilities, increase clerical support for CIL Staff and Board. The office expansion will create access to the building next to the office and retrofit a storage area to hold an Assistive Technology Demonstration Center.
Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living (Crockett and Palestine locations)
CRCIL is using ARRA funds to expand education about nutrition and physical therapy, as part of the independent living skills classes, to educate and empower people with disabilities on how to prevent diabetes and obesity.
East Texas Center for Independent Living (Tyler)
ETCIL will be using ARRA funds to expand independent living skills training and enhance program development efforts in 2010.
Heart of Central Texas Independent Living (Belton)
HOCTIL is using ARRA funds to expand the Employment & Training program: job development, job matching, and consumer training which enhances individuals’ skills in interviewing, presentation to potential employers, and development of basic work skills. As an Employment Network , funding will reinforce current consumer services by more effectively utilizing “Ticket to Work” and increasing visibility of services and incentives available to them through Social Security and Texas Medicaid Buy-In.
Lifetime Independence for Everyone (Lubbock)
LIFE/RUN will use ARRA funds to develop Consumer Directed Services (CDS), a fee for service option, to offer in conjunction with the existing relocation program.
Panhandle Independent Living Center (Amarillo)
PILC will use ARRA funds to research and pursue funding opportunities and activities, as well as to expand consumer services, acquire needed materials, and support the development program.
REACH (Dallas)
REACH-Dallas will use ARRA funds to research and compile a comprehensive database of North Texas housing resources for people with disabilities and assisting consumers to secure housing and to maintain the website and social media activities to promote services, activities and conduct outreach to consumers and other organizations providing services to people with disabilities.
REACH (Denton)
REACH-Denton is using ARRA funds to expand outreach to veterans with disabilities and to organizations providing services to veterans, as well as providing CIL services to veterans with disabilities.
Resource, Information, Support and Empowerment (Beaumont)
RISE is using ARRA funds to expand center services and to improve the current web site to foster consumer involvement and provide opportunities for them to attend meetings, trainings, and conferences to increase knowledge of and participation in the Independent living network.
San Antonio Independent Living Services (San Antonio)
SAILS is using ARRA funds to upgrade technology, provide staff training, and enhance media supplies. SAILS will expand outreach to underserved areas and collaborate with The Haven for Hope to offer services to more consumers with disabilities who are homeless.
Valley Association for Independent Living (McAllen)
VAIL is using ARRA funding to support and increase services for its Independent Living Program and other current programs.
VOLAR Center for Independent Living (El Paso)
VOLAR is using ARRA funding to expand personal assistance service program which assists consumers to hire and manage attendants to help with tasks and activities of daily living due to a physical, cognitive, or behavioral limitation.
The 2010 Annual State Independent Living (SILC) Conference
The SILC’s Annual Conference is quickly approaching and the rallying call to action is for Texans to step into the next decade with a commitment to “Revitalize, Reorganize, and Rejuvenize" the Independent Living Movement in Texas. The conference will be held in Dallas March 7th – 9th at the Crown Plaza Suites and co-hosted with the REACH Resource Centers on Independent Living. Some of the agenda topics include nursing home relocation, ethics in the workplace, and how healthcare reform will impact the disability community. The conference also provides a great opportunity for participants to interact with community leaders and to recognize outstanding accomplishments in promoting independence. The deadline for registration is February 12, 2010, so visit www.txsilc.org for more details on how to register, make hotel accommodations and apply for stipends to assist with event costs.
Newly Established CILs Offer Myriad Services to Previously Underserved Texans
Many thanks to our State Legislators for recognizing how needed CIL services are to Texas’ five million people with disabilities!
Mounting Horizons (League City)
MHCIL, a newly created CIL, is establishing a network with local agencies to educate them about the center, the services offered and to develop working relationships to best provide services to people with disabilities. The main priority for the coming year is to establish strong community awareness of the core services and the philosophy of independent living services available in Galveston County.
REACH of Plano
Plano REACH, a new CIL will be offering, among other services: advocacy, peer support, information and referral, and independent living skills training for people with disabilities in Collin County.
Lifetime Independence for Everyone (LIFE in Tom Green County)
This newly established CIL is located in San Angelo, TX. They will be offering peer support, advocacy, information and referral, and independent living skills training, as well as working to elevate their presence in Tom Green County.
Check out TACIL and Texas CILs Initiatives for 2010!
Work Incentive and Planning Assistance Programs (WIPAs) strive to increase the number of Texans on SSI/SSDI to work and achieve self-sufficiency. Community Work Incentive Coordinators guide these efforts by providing beneficiaries with work incentive planning and assistance, assistance with eligibility determination for government incentive programs, information about the appropriate government agencies and advocacy services for incentive programs, health care, and other protections and services available.
Home by Choice (HBC) is a unique program between the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and selected CILs to assist individuals living in nursing facilities to move to community settings. The program offers assistance with DADS Community Care Services, housing or moving back home, grants, community resources and information.
Project Open House is a long-term housing initiative using local and statewide collaborations to increase the development, purchase and rental of integrated, affordable, and accessible housing options for people with disabilities.
Consumer Directed Services: Meet your Mission and Raise Valuable Program Funding!
As you may know, Consumer Directed Services (CDS) is a community care option for persons living in the community. Consumers hire, supervise and fire their attendants, while the CDS Agency (CDSA) handles the administrative and tax related duties. This option allows employers to offer their attendants higher wages, bonuses, vacation, and other incentives essential in keeping good attendants.
Opening and running a CDSA offers Centers for Independent Living a potentially significant unrestricted revenue stream. Running a CDSA serves your consumers wishing to live independently, which is in line with CIL values. Your community would be well served by having a local, trusted organization provide assistance regarding their community care dollars.
TACIL member, Coastal Bend CIL (CBCIL) has recently established a CDSA in Corpus Christi. Executive Director Judy Telge in her own words:
“In late 2008, a Board member had enrolled in STAR+PLUS and wanted us to be her CDSA, so we decided to take the plunge! In late 2008, HMO contracts were in place, and we began to move forward with CDS one consumer at a time. In preparation, we made presentation to HMO service coordinators to educate them about offering this option to their clients and then began receiving referrals from both HMOs in our area.
CBCIL also operates a CDSA under DADS; we are currently advertising for additional staff. Being a CDSA has great potential for CILs - it fits philosophically, it diversifies CIL funding, creates local funds with a high revenue potential. Initially we weathered a number of potential barriers, but overcame them and now look forward to expanding our CDS agency!”
TACIL’s Executive Director Jodi Park has served on the HHSC Consumer Directed Services Committee since 2000. At The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, she helped to open and run a very successful CDSA for three years. TACIL wishes to be a resource for you; if you are interested in hearing more, please contact Jodi at Jodi@txsilc.org or (512) 694-3395.
TACIL Hires Executive Director and Program Assistant
Please join us in welcoming Jodi Park to The Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living (TACIL) where she serves as its Executive Director.
During the interim, TACIL will be concentrating their efforts in two major areas. These include continuation and improvement of Project Open House, a statewide initiative among CILs to build and improve relationships with entities such as local housing authorities and local decision making bodies to increase visibility of and other housing options for people with disabilities. TACIL’s newest grant establishes a branding initiative. Via a DARS grant, TACIL will have the opportunity to work with branding experts to assist participating CILs and TACIL in developing a consistent message which promotes Texas CILs’ value and visibility to their local communities, the press and the State Legislature.
Jodi previously served for 10 years as Director of Projects & Communications for the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) where she coordinated statewide advocacy, legislative and voter education, CTD projects/special events and education of consumer networks. Jodi has worked through five legislative sessions, and will use those skills to elevate TACIL’s presence and standing in the coming years.
Jodi’s contact information is: jpark@tacil-texas.org and phone: 512.694.3395.
Please also join us in welcoming Rachel McClure to the TACIL team! Rachel will serve as TACIL’s part-time Program Assistant, ensuring that all grant and member activities run smoothly and efficiently. Rachel is trilingual, has strong community organizing skills and brings a wealth of legislative experience with her. In fact, Rachel, who has a BA in Political Science and Spanish, recently worked as Legislative Director for State Representative Scott Hochberg. She has worked through eight sessions at the Capitol and has also served as Program & Policy Director for the legislative advocacy organization Public Citizen. TACIL is very lucky to have Rachel on the TACIL team! Her contact info: rmcclure@tacil-texas.org. Temporary office phone is 512.407.1320.
STATE LEADERSHIP REQUIRES TEXAS STATE AGENCY BUDGET REDUCTIONS FOR NEXT SESSION
On February 11, 2010 Texas Health and Human Services Agency representatives submitted their responses to the State’s earlier request to identify possible 5% cuts in their agency budgets for FY2010-2011.
Held in a large hearing room in Austin, TX, agency representatives, legislative staff, advocates and other interested parties from around the state squeezed into a space filled to capacity. Everyone in attendance was keen to hear how mandated cuts may affect their staff, clients, consumers and service delivery systems in the coming biennium.
This important public meeting consisted of briefings from the state agencies under the Health and Human Services Commission, as well as an opportunity for public comment.
The Chairman stated that the next fiscal cycle will be tougher than this one; therefore they are trying to address reduced funding now in an effort to make the next round of budget cuts less difficult.
Agencies were directed to first reduce administrative costs and minimize impact on consumers. They also tried to maintain programs for prevention and community work as well as remaining sensitive to legislative investments and lawsuits. However to meet the state’s mandate, cuts in funding will necessitate rate reductions, reduced services, and delayed implementation of several new programs.
A reduction in Independent Living services was included at the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). This funding reduction is for Independent Living programs at the agency level and not at Community Centers for Independent Living.
It also appears that State Hospitals in Rusk, North Texas, San Antonio, and Terrell, TX will each lose 50 beds, for a total 200 bed loss for consumers needing State Hospital support. Unfortunately, some of these proposed cuts will result in substantial reductions in matching federal dollars that the state can draw down.
At this point, agencies are awaiting guidance from state leadership before making any changes that would reduce client services or provider payment rates. However, this is not a time to be complacent; Texas’ disability population is increasing every day and without your voices reaching out to your state level decision makers during this crucial interim period, they may remain unaware of the increasing need for community services for millions of Texans with disabilities.
AUSTIN PASSES LIMITED PROPOSALS TO INCREASE ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
(from a TCDD 2004 Newsletter)
In the summer of 2003, the Austin City Council considered a proposed ordinance to increase basic accessibility of privately-built, single-family homes and duplexes. Austin already has a visitability ordinance for housing developments that receive public funds. At a recent city council meeting, staff estimated that 30 percent of the total construction permits were for projects that receive public funds and therefore comply with the existing visitability mandates, which mirror the ordinance as it was proposed for private homes (as detailed below).
Because of strong opposition, the accessibility proposals that were passed for privately-built homes included only two of the original proposed amendments. The visitability ordinance, as passed, requires that homes built under permits applied for in Austin after Jan. 1, 2009, must include:
- A 30-inch clear opening doorway to a first floor bathroom; and
- Wall reinforcements in a first floor bathroom (for grab bars).
Background on Advocacy Efforts and the Importance of Local Involvement
Then Austin Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerley originally proposed that the visitability ordinance include seven key code changes that included eight visitability requirements. The proposed ordinance included provisions for exemptions, and a family or builder would have the ability to request a waiver from the requirements.
The proposed changes would have required:
- One ramp or no-step entrance;
- 30-inch clear opening interior doorway and lever handles for the doors;
- One accessible route of 36 inches through the first floor;
- One accessible bathroom on the first floor;
- Wall reinforcement in a first floor bathroom (for grab bars);
- First floor light switch or thermostat between no higher than 48 inches from the floor;
- Breaker switch no lower than 30” and no higher than 48 inches from floor or ground; and
- Electrical outlets at least 15 inches above floor level.
The Home Builders Association of Greater Austin (HBA) opposed the changes, as did Habitat for Humanity, and other members of the community. HBA testified that the requirements would be prohibitively expensive and resulting homes would be institutional. HBA also stated that people who walk through houses with visitability features do not like them. HBA prefers financial incentives and education to increase accessibility.
The disability and affordable housing community saw things differently. Advocates pointed out that visitability requirements likely would only cost from $200 to $500, substantially less than the builders’ estimates. They also noted that affordable housing built with public money is already required to meet the visitability requirements and arguably do so with tighter budget constraints than the average single-family home.
Strong opposition from Austin builders, architects, and other stakeholders led then Mayor Pro Tem Dunkerley to change the ordinance to include fewer requirements.
The need to improve housing accessibility provides a good example of the importance of developing working relationships with city council members. Getting to know them and serving as a resource on disability issues may lead to conversations that affect decisions on an ordinance or a budget item. While testifying at a city council meeting raises awareness concerning the disability community and provides public support for a council member who takes a stand, advocates should not rely on testimony alone.
By meeting with council members before an issue comes to the council, such as a change in the city budget or a visitability ordinance, advocates can get to know the council members’ staff and people who work on issues of interest. Local advocacy does not have to take a lot of time, and advocates do not need to be an expert on local politics to get involved.
If you are interested in learning whether your city has a visitability ordinance, call the general number for your city offices and ask what department works on accessibility issues or ask if there is a mayor’s committee for people with disabilities. You can also find out if there is a mayor’s committee in your area by going to http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/disabilities/localcom/listcom or contacting The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.
Please also know that TACIL is here for you if you are looking for ways to find out about visibility ordinances in your area or how to strategically pursue such an ordinance: Contact Jodi Park at Jodi@txsilc.org or 512.694.3395.