4. Centers for Independent Living

Many individuals in Illinois nursing facilities have the capability to live independently within the community. For over 2 decades, Centers for Independent Living (CIL) have worked to move individuals with disabilities out of nursing facilities and other institutions and back into community-based independent living situations of their choice. CILs provide the necessary resources to offer the start-up essentials (i.e., 1st month's rent, furniture, cooking equipment, peer support) to help individuals successfully transition into the community.

In Fiscal Year 2021 DRS began providing funding for Centers for Independent Living to serve 9 previously unserved counties in southern Illinois. Southern Illinois Center for independent living took on the counties of Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Union. Opportunities for Access was given the counties of Crawford, Lawrence and Richland.

Centers for Independent Living	Previously Unserved Counties	Number of Customers Receiving Information and Referral Services	Active Customers (as of June 30, 2022)
Southern Illinois Center	Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Union	102	80
Opportunities for Access	Crawford, Lawrence, Richland	103	65
TOTAL CUSTOMERS	TOTAL CUSTOMERS SERVED	205	145

In FY2022 Southern Illinois Center for Independent Living provided Information and referral services to 102 consumers with 80 active consumers at the end of the reporting period. Opportunities for Access provided information and referral services to 103 consumers with 65 active consumers at the end of the reporting period. For the 9 counties in FY22 a total of 205 consumers received information and referral services with a total of 145 active consumers at the end of the reporting period.

A Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a private, non-residential, community-based, not-for-profit, consumer-controlled organization that is mandated to provide 5 core services:

• Advocacy,
• Peer Support,
• Independent Living Skills Development,
• Information and Referral, and
• Transition.

CILs promote a positive self-image, which is important to developing significant peer relationships. What truly distinguishes and sets CILs apart from other organizations is the fact that consumer control exists on every level, where at least 51% of staff, management staff, and the Board of Directors must be individuals with disabilities.  Staff serve as role models, demonstrating that individuals with disabilities can be independent and productive. Their knowledge, support, and guidance help to create informed choice options that give consumers the confidence to pursue their own independence and to realize their dreams and aspirations. Having consumer control in decision-making positions is paramount to maintaining the integrity of what a CIL should and must be.

CILs support the disability community in dismantling the many barriers to full inclusion by:

• advocating for changes in legislation,
• providing disability awareness-related activities,
• developing technical assistance initiatives regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
• working in a committed fashion to deinstitutionalize individuals with disabilities who can and want to live independently.

The work of CILs are guided by a federally approved State Plan for Independent Living that is written in collaboration with the Division, Center for Independent Living, and the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Independent Living means different things to different people. For those involved in the Independent Living movement, it means having control of one's life. Living independently does not mean doing everything for oneself. Rather, it means being in control of decisions made about oneself. This is the foundation upon which Centers for Independent Living are built.

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Program Highlights

• Services were provided to over 63,000 individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or disability.
  • Information and referral services: 46,383
  • Independent Living/Life Skills Training Services: 5,719
  • Peer Counseling: 2,574
  • Individual System Advocacy: 3,487
  • Transition Services: 3,348
  • Fast Track: 1,736

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Independent Living Success Story

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Program Services

Personal Assistant Training

In order to help meet the growing need for personal assistants (PA), the Home Services Program partnered with the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) and targeted CILs throughout the state to recruit and train individuals wishing to work as a PA for individuals with disabilities. Upon completion of the training, PAs are added to a registry that is available to individuals with disabilities in the community who are in need of assistance.

INCIL uses a toll-free help line, 1-800-587-1227, during normal business hours to assist customers with identifying potential providers. INCIL subcontracts with CILs lead outreach efforts to educate the public about the need for PAs, educate potential providers about the profession, and provide mentoring with individuals in the community to assist them with the development of better skills toward managing their care.

Employment & Transition Services

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 made significant changes to the Rehabilitation Act which governs CILs; including their provision of vocational services. Across the state, the Division partnered with 18 CILs to provide employment services to individuals with disabilities in a variety of ways. There are programs that teach independent living skills for those who wish to enter the workforce and programs that work statewide with youth within the schools.

CILs also work with individuals statewide on career exploration, workplace readiness, self-advocacy skills, outreach, job development, pre-employment services, and assistance with job placement to youth with disabilities.

In an effort to better prepare youth for transitioning into employment after high school, many of the CILs attend Individual Education Plan meetings within the schools to advocate for the student and the family in obtaining needed services.

Independent Living Services for Individuals who are Blind and DeafBlind

The Older Blind Program is awarded through a competitive process to eligible service providers statewide. Eight (8) CILs, of a total of 12, were awarded funding to provide services to individuals who are age 55 and older and who have severe visual impairments which makes it difficult to obtain competitive employment.

Individuals benefit from independent living services provided by CILs, which include:

• outreach services,
• braille instruction,
• guide services,
• reader services,
• transportation,
• supportive services, and
• rehabilitation teaching services.

Separate of the support offered through the Older Blind Program, funding is allocated to provide specialized services to individuals who are DeafBlind and to increase public awareness activities of available services and supports offered.

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The Independent Living Network