STIMULUS FUND USAGE

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 locations)

ARCIL is using ARRA funds to provide additional resources for relocation activities. ARCIL is 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.

TACIL 2010-11 PROJECT INITIATIVES

The Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living (TACIL) has received two grants from the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DARS), both of which meet our Guiding Principles:

AACE Project: This initiative focuses on emphasizing the value and increasing the visibility of TX CILs. This will be accomplished by:

• Developing a consistent message that conveys the CILs’ unique approach to providing services to people with disabilities;
• Creating a dynamic strategy for educating legislators, state agencies and the general public about disability related issues on an ongoing basis and;
• Forming statewide collaborations with consumers and other disability advocates to ensure the AACE initiative is a success.

TACIL anticipates that consumers, community stakeholders, state agencies, and legislators will begin to consistently identify each CIL as:

• A reliable community resource
• A responsible steward of public and private funds
• Caring and responsive to the needs of Texans with disabilities; and;
• Effective and efficient in its mission

TACIL’s Project Open House Summary

The purpose of Project Open House is continuing to expand long-term housing options for Texans with disabilities by:

• Advocating for the availability of housing alternatives through the establishment of state-wide collaborations and partnerships;
• Promoting homeownership and rental opportunities that are integrated, affordable and accessible; and;
• Advocating for state-wide policy, program, and regulatory changes that will increase the development of integrated, affordable and accessible housing.

Through its “Project Open House”, TACIL will continue to advocate for sufficient housing options that will allow people with disabilities to sustain their choice of living in the community. In its continued administration of Project Open House, TACIL plans to:

• Advocate for the availability of housing alternatives through the establishment of community collaborations and partnerships: Each CIL will be encouraged to maintain a Housing Advocacy Plan that addresses housing options for people with disabilities through individual and systems advocacy. The TACIL Director and CILs will collaborate with any existing housing coalitions and will encourage partnerships with people with disabilities, representatives from the SILC, Public Housing Authorities, Builders’ Associations, architects, HUD, etc.
• Promote Consumer and community awareness of the need for homeownership and rental opportunities that are affordable and accessible: Project Open House will employ strategies that will increase Consumer participation in housing issues that directly impact the Consumers, themselves. This includes challenging local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to comply with the “New Freedom Initiative”, which calls for the full integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of daily life.
• Advocate for local and statewide policy, program, and regulatory changes that will increase the development of accessible, affordable and integrated housing projects: Utilizing the existing models of Austin, Houston, and Amarillo, the TACIL DDAO and CILs will work diligently to promote passage of “Visitability” ordinances in cities throughout the state.

TACIL
5555 N. Lamar Suite J103
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512.374.0730
Phone: 512.371.7370
Jodi Park: jodi@txsilc.org