PRESENTED TO: The honorable Governor John Kitzhaber, Oregon’s Legislative Assembly, and the people we serve SILC 2009-2010 AnnualReport Oregon State Independent Living Council Table of Contents Cover letter........................................................................................ Page 3 What is the Independent Living program?...................................... Page 4 What are the SILC’s responsibilities?............................................. Page 5 How does the SILC function?............................................................Page 5 Who serves on the SILC?.................................................................. Page 6 What is the structure of the Independent Living program?.......... Page 7 What are the goals of the State Plan for Independent Living?...... Page 8 What is the value to the State?........................................................ Page 9 State Plan accomplishments............................................................. Page 9 Flow of federal funding into Oregon.................................................. Page 9 Reduced costs & revenue generation................................................ Page 10 Program improvements.................................................................... Page 10 Enhanced consumer independence & service satisfaction.................... Page 11 Service statistics............................................................................... Page 13 Fiscal Report...................................................................................... Page 14 Acknowledgements........................................................................... Page 15 Dear Governor Kitzhaber, Oregon legislators, disability advocates, community partners, and interested parties, It is our pleasure to present the State Independent Living Council (SILC) 2010 Report. In 1992, amendments to the Rehabilitation Act dramatically changed the structure of the Title VII, Independent Living Services program. Included in the changes were provisions in Section 704, requiring that State Independent Living Councils co-develop State Plans for Independent Living, which include program goals and guidance as to how federal program funding will be utilized within each state. As a result of these amendments, Governor Barbara Roberts issued an Executive Order in 1994, establishing a State Independent Living Council in Oregon. Since that time, the Independent Living Services program has worked hard to develop and refine itself. During federal fiscal year 2010, our program shifted into a new gear. Expanded collaborations, clarified partner roles, better defined objectives and measureable outcomes were some of our major accomplishments achieved during the year as we extended our reach toward greater program effectiveness. We are excited about the results and what these results mean for Oregonians with disabilities. We hope this report will help you discover the value of the Indepependent Living Services program, not only in terms of changed lives, but in terms of the economic benefit to the people of Oregon. Sincerely, Ann Balzell — SILC Chairperson Page 3 What is the Independent Living Program? The Independent Living Program (IL) is based on a particular philosophy regarding the disabilities people experience. The “IL philosophy” stems from the belief voiced in the founding documents of our nation — that ALL individuals are created equal, with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. IL philosophy is the belief that disability is a natural part of our shared human experience. Responsibility, self-determination, informed choice, independence, and accountability apply to ALL people — regardless of whether a person currently has a disability. Therefore, people with disabilities: • Should have the same inalienable and civil rights, options, and control over choices in their own lives as do people without disabilities. • Should not be barred from equal opportunities to control decisions about their lives and pursue activities of their choosing. • Should have equitable rights to inclusion and opportunities to assume full citizenship, and to be active participants in their families, communities, and careers — as peer citizens, with the associated responsibilities and risks that come with these rights. The IL philosophy grew out of the disability rights and consumer movements. The IL program seeks to support the independence and personal responsibility of individuals with disabilities; delivers information and referral, skills training, peer counseling and advocacy to people with disabilities through a peer mentor model and became a federally funded program in 1978. Federal funds to support the IL program flow through the federal Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). A portion of those federal funds are granted directly to grass roots, private, non profit Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in each state. Another portion, which has state matching requirements, is granted to Designated State Units (DSUs), which conduct the Vocational Rehabilitation programs for each state. Oregon’s federal IL program funds are split between the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) and Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB). Page 4 What are the SILC’s responsibilities? The State Independent Living Council finds its guidance in Section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act. The role of the SILC mainly focuses on participation in the development of a State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), as well as improvement of the IL program through monitoring and evaluation of the SPIL’s implementation. The role of the SPIL is to identify specific goals, objectives and activities that the IL program will undertake over a three-year period, to designate a network of Centers for Independent Living that will provide IL services, to identify unserved or underserved areas, and to identify program resources and a plan for their use. Additional Rehabilitation Act duties of the SILC include: Improving working relationships among a variety of federal, state and private service programs (specific programs are outlined in the Act). Ensuring SILC meetings are public, with sufficient advance notice provided. Submitting periodic reports to RSA, as required by RSA (specifically, an annual 704 Report, completed collaboratively with IL program partners). Holding hearings and forums as the SILC deems necessary to carry out its functions (examples are State Plan development hearings and needs assessments) Preparing a SILC resource plan, in conjunction with the DSU/Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Supervising and evaluating staff to carry out the functions of the SILC. How does the SILC function? The SILC meets quarterly, in March, June, September and December, to act on regular business items, hear reports and presentations on key issues and programs, review State Plan progress, and receive public input. Four SILC subcommittees take responsibility for various SILC duties, including specific State Plan activities. Subcommittees and their individual duties are: Executive Committee - Directs/monitors administrative duties between SILC meetings Membership Development Committee - Recruits and trains new SILC members Collaboration Committee - Develops partnerships and carries out collaborative State Plan activities State Plan Committee - Coordinates State Plan development; monitors and evaluates State Plan implementation Page 5 Who serves on the SILC? Membership is mandated to include a combination of current or past consumers of Independent Living services, representatives of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and private businesses, other persons with disabilities, parents, guardians, and advocates of and for individuals with disabilities. Representatives from the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) serve in ex-officio, non-voting positions. The majority of SILC members must be individuals with a disability. Name Location/Representing Ann Balzell - Chair Portland Cindy Campbell Neotsu Sharon Coverstone Salem Barry Fox-Quamme CIL Representative – Portland Ryan Green Sherwood Angel Hale Ex-officio - Oregon Commission for the Blind Jackie Hovey Elgin Wendy Howard CIL Representative - Klamath Falls Dodie McKenzie Grand Ronde – Section 121 Project Representative Randy Samuelson CIL Representative - Grants Pass Sherry Stock - Vice Chair Molalla Frank Synoground Portland Stephaine Parrish-Taylor Ex-officio - Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Dean Westwood Portland Mike Volpe Corvallis SILC Members at December, 2010 SILC Meeting Back row: Wendy Howard, Jackie Hovey, Sherry Stock, Frank Synoground, Angel Hale, Barry Fox-Quamme, Dodie McKenzie, Ann Balzell, Cindy Campbell. Front row: Ryan Green, Dean Westwood, Randy Samuelson, Sharon Coverstone, Mike Volpe. Page 6 What is the structure of the IL program? The IL program has a three-pronged structure. Two types of program partners work with the SILC to cover various aspects of program responsibilities. • State Resource Management & Accountability of Program Grantees is the main function of the two DSUs - the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) and Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB). The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services monitors all CIL grantees receiving funding through state IL program grants. Oregon Commission for the Blind has a unique role as a DSU in that it is also an IL consumer service provider, due to the organization’s unique expertise and resources for serving individuals who experience blindness or low vision. • Consumer Service and Systems Change is the main function of the Network of Centers for Independenting Living. The goal of CILs is to teach, model and support independence for consumers and equal opportunities for community participation. • Coordination of Statewide Planning and Enhanced Program Effectiveness is the main function of the SILC. State Plan for Independent Living 2010 marked the final year of the IL program’s 3-year state plan period. As would be expected, this was a year of increased activity for the SILC as final outcome data is gathered. At the same time, the SILC collaborated with program partners to complete and submit the final version of a new 3-year SPIL. In addition to this workload, 2010 brought unique activities and deadlines. When American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the IL program became available, an amendment to the SPIL became necessary to identify a plan for their use. Since program partners were also attempting to improve outcome measures, the amendment process offered an opportunity to revise goals and objectives so that specific achievements could be more thoroughly assessed. Page 7 GOAL - Systems Change OBJECTIVES 10% fewer people with disabilities living in institutions 25% of identified ADA issues successfully addressed People with Disabilities better informed re: disaster preparedness IL leaders identified & mentored at state and local levels Effective service outreach to: Hospitals Disability service offices Youth with disabilities Well trained CIL staff CILs partnering with new local community organizations GOAL - IL Partners Accountable to Regulations & IL Philosophy OBJECTIVES OVRS & OCB are fully compliant with Rehabilitation Act IL program duties SILC develops and complies with appropriate standards & indicators, based on legal duties Statewide consumer satisfaction survey return rate is increased 5% CIL federal report quality improvement GOAL - IL Partners Accountable to Regulations & IL Philosophy OBJECTIVES One new service partnership for the IL Network Informed Legislators re: IL program State IL funding returned to 2001 level Sufficient state match for available federal funding GOAL - Program maximizes resources & provides high quality services OBJECTIVES Collaborate with 5 partners to develop IL service needs assessment Develop CIL peer review model for program improvement Assess needs & develop priorities for unserved and underserved areas Collaborative IL/VR project planning team developed SPIL signatories assist CILs in identifying new potential partners OCB enhances partnerships with CILs Page 8 What is the value of the IL program to Oregon? State Plan Accomplishments Through implementation and effective monitoring of State Plan activities, the Oregon IL program achieved the following: Developed stronger, more accountable IL program partners, with better trained staff - which resulted in 9,326 individuals with disabilities receiving information and services to improve their self-sufficiency, relationships with family and friends, community involvement and their personal responsibility for life choices. Improved service collabration between IL programs and other state programs, such as the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Seniors and People with Disabilities Division, resulting in longer term and more effective outcomes for consumers with disabilities seeking greater independence. Assisted in the transition of 145 Oregonians with disabilities from high cost institutions to less restrictive and more cost effective environments. Achieved 134 ADA compliance improvements. Provided local disaster preparedness training to 227 IL consumers across Oregon. Provided peer mentor training to 18 youth with disabilities, who are now reaching out to their peers with disabilities, assisting them to become more productive and involved in their local communities. Flow of federal funding into Oregon The existance of the IL program resulted in the State of Oregon receiving $1,082,689 in federal funds, including $106,274 of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to assist Oregonians with disabilities in reaching their goals for independence and becoming more productive individuals. By developing an approved State Plan for Independent Living, an additional $1,227,125 in direct funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration was received by Oregon’s Network of CILs, which included $400,163 of ARRA funding. Page 9 Reduced costs and revenue generation IL services result in a reduction of public supports needed by many people with disabilities. In addition, public revenues and community economic activity increased in many instances. Reasons for these results include the following consumer achievements facilitated by the skills training, peer mentoring, and advocacy the IL program provides: • More tax payers, as consumers gained or sustained employment • Diminished need for public supports through improved skills in personal budget management • Costly institutionalization and nursing home services avoided • Crisis services avoided, such as emergency room visits • Incarceration avoided through improved behavior management & peer support • Parenting skills improved, so fewer children were placed in foster care • Medical service needs were reduced as activity levels increased and emotional health improved In addition to these direct cost savings, American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds provided for the purchase of video conferencing equipment. This will provide opportunities for ongoing collaborations between IL program partners, CIL Network staff, and provide for provision of services to consumers over extended distances at greatly reduced costs. Program improvements State Plan objectives that specifically focused on accountability, improved staff training and evaluation of program compliance brought the following results: • Better work load distribution between program partners • Better rates of completion of assigned administrative duties • Better awareness and application of complex program regulations • Better informed staff - more resourceful and more focused on program mission • Better procedures for tracking and evaluation, which led to more targeted and measurable achievements Page 10 Enhanced Consumer Independence & Service Satisfaction We believe the greatest value of the IL program to Oregon comes through the results seen in the quality of life for Oregonians with disabilities. This not only impacts individuals, but affects families and communities. Following are three examples of the value reported by consumers of IL services. “My life has been changed…I not only gained multiple skills, but also a new way of living my life. I felt that I could no longer accomplish many things because I was now blind. I figured, why waste time doing things if I couldn’t complete them correctly? Why should I even try? I felt like the world was too hard to participate in as I used to with vision, and therefore I felt isolated and abandoned. Then the opportunity to attend this seminar (Living with Blindness) was offered to me. I have to be honest. I was nervous about attending…I had hoped to gain blindness skills, but I didn’t expect I would change the way I thought about my blindness…The skills I learned have already helped me get out of my house and live!...I even went into the grocery store and didn’t feel inept or scared…Overall, I am not sure I can express the difference this has made in my life…The biggest and best part is that I now know I can live my life and not just muddle through…My opportunities are limitless and my world is now open to exploration, regardless of my vision loss. I now refuse to let my blindness hold me back from trying new things, isolate me, or keep me from living. I will return to the things I loved to do. I just will do them a little differently. I am the same person. I have enormous value…I have hopes of sharing my experience with others by adapting my [meal preparation-related business] to those who have low vision and allow them to return to the kitchen and cook safely. I would have never thought of this if it hadn’t been for Oregon Commission for the Blind…where I discovered life again.” - Oregon Commission For the Blind, IL Program Consumer “This letter is to share with you the strides I have been able to take because of the change in mindset I have achieved through your wonderful program. When you first met me, even you may not have expected me to entertain the possibility of starting my own business! But guess what? I just completed a 5 week course with the State of Oregon on how to run an adult foster care home. I passed the class and only have a few more steps to make it a reality. Thanks to [your Healing Pathways project], I can believe in myself and have made friends who are supportive and caring. I never expected to get so much out of the program. I am so much stronger than the day I walked into your door with such depression and suicidal thoughts that I was convinced life had nothing else to offer me. Again, thank you so much for giving me back my life!” -IL Consumer from HASL Independent Abilities, Grants Pass Page 11 I was in a four-wheeling accident, leaving me paralyzed from the chest down. I knew my career with Les Schwab had come to an abrupt halt...Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living (EOCIL) helped me along my new journey in life. Being a single Dad, I was so scared I wouldn’t be able to provide a sufficient life for my son and myself. EOCIL’s Work Incentive Coordinator gave me new hope. We first started working on a game plan. Once I figured out that I wanted to pursue self-employment, she explained the benefits of working, and how it would affect my Social Security benefits. It only made sense to me that I was far better off working to achieve my goals in life. While I was making decisions on how much I could work, she was able to give me guidance on the work incentives available to help reach financial stability. As of now, I have completed training as a dental technician, started building my own dental lab and have bought my own house. My plans in the future are to be completely off benefits. Thanks to EOCIL, I am pressing forward with a better outlook on life. - IL Consumer from EOCIL, Ontario How beneficial are IL services? A statewide consumer survey on IL service satisfaction reported that: 91% of consumers responding found their IL services to be helpful Of that group of consumers, 69% described the services as very helpful Page 12 IL Program Service Statistics Consumers by Age 69% Ages 25-59 19% Age 60 and older 8% Age 20-24 3% Age 5-19 .2% Under 5 years old Consumers by Disability Type 30% Physical 24% Multiple Disabilities 19% Cognitive 16% Mental/Emotional 6% Vision 3% Other unidentified disability 1% Hearing Location of Oregon Centers for Independent Living CORIL - Central Oregon Center for Independent Living, Bend EOCIL - Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living, Ontario & Pendleton HASL - Independent Abilities Center, Grants Pass ILR - Independent Living Resources, Portland LILA - Lane IndependentLiving Alliance, Eugene SPOKES Unlimited - Klamath Falls UVdN - Umpqua Valley disAbilities Network, Roseburg Promoting choice, equal access, and full inclusion of people with disabilities, throughout the State of Oregon Page 13 SILC FINANCIAL REPORT OCTOBER 1, 2009 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 REVENUES Rehabilitation Act Title I Innovation & Expansion Funds Contributed by OCB - Only receive federal portion $1,800 Rehabilitation Act Title I Innovation & Expansion Funds Contributed by OVRS$334,475 State General Fund to Match OVRS Title I Contribution $90,525 State General Fund - For SILC duties outside of Section 705 $5,000 TOTAL REVENUE $431,800 EXPENDITURES SILC SECTION 705 EXPENDITURES Meetings $18,541 Training & Conferences $10,135 Partner Outreach & Education $1,824 Administrative Support, Services & Supplies $278,062 Direct State Plan Monitoring & Development Expenses $7,605 TOTAL $316,167 SILC NON-SECTION 705 EXPENDITURES $3,038 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $319,205 Carryover to SILC Federal Fiscal Year 2011 Budget $90,445 Excess returned to OVRS budget $22,150 Page 14 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The SILC is extremely grateful to the many partners, agencies, public officials, and private citizens who have contributed to the growth and development of inclusion for people with disabilities and of Independent Living services and philosophy within our state. Thanks to each of you. We want to especially acknowledge the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Oregon Commission for the Blind for their faithful partnership in the IL program, including the administrative support they provide to the SILC. We look forward to continuing our work, demonstrating how collaboration and leveraged resources bring value to the people of Oregon - not only in tangible ways such as cost savings, but in the less tangible yet extremely significant reality of lives changed - of helping people recognize their abilities and their value within their families and local communities. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Oregon by promoting choice, equal access, and full inclusion of people with disabilities. STAFF Tina Treasure Executive Director Shelly Emery, Operations Coordinator Joan Claypool, Community Partner Liaison Joette Williams, Administrative Specialist Page 15 SILC logo, encircled map of Oregon, promoting choice, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities 500 Summer Street NE Dept. E-87 Salem, OR 97301-1120 Voice: 503-945-7015 FAX: 503-945-8991 oregon.silc@state.or.us www.orsilc.org If you would like to request additional copies of this report or alternate formats, please contact the SILC office at 503-945-7015. This report is also available on the SILC Web site at www.orsilc.org