6. Client Assistance Program

The Illinois Client Assistance Program (CAP), established as part of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce and Innovation and Opportunity Act, is a federally funded program designed to help persons with disabilities in understanding and using rehabilitation services.

Re-designation of Illinois Client Assistance Program to Equip for Equality (EFE) went into effect June 30th, 2022. EFE was founded in 1985 and serves as an independent not-for-profit corporation and the protection and advocacy (P&A) agency in Illinois. EFE's mission is to protect the rights and interests of persons with all types of disabilities, including intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and physical disabilities.

 Program Highlights

• CAP began a mail-out initiative in September 2020, which continued through June 2022. Mailers have been sent out to DRS customers across the State, to provide information about CAP's role and services. During FY 2022 mailers continued to be sent to DRS customers, to increase awareness about CAP's services.
• CAP also launched a Public TV/Radio Awareness Broadcast initiative as of 11/01/20, to provide awareness and information about CAP's role and services. This initiative ended on 03/31/21. As a result, 539,000 TV impressions were delivered in the Chicago area, 657,000 listeners were reached through WSEC radio (though this number is most likely higher, as only 9 of 39 counties collected listener data), approximately 11 million viewers were reached via WSEC TV, and WILL TV/Radio provided coverage across the State. CAP's Polish informational video continued live on YouTube, in an effort to reach the large percentage of Polish-speaking individuals residing in Illinois.
• DRS worked closely with Equip for Equality to assist in a smooth transition and orientation for both Equip and for DRS staff as Equip assumed the responsibilities for managing the Illinois Client Assistance Program (CAP). CAP provides DRS customers with assistance in helping persons with disabilities understand and utilize rehabilitation services.

Summary of CAP Closures	Customers	% of Total
Withdrew complaint/ no further intervention needed	6	15%
All issues resolved in Customer's favor	14	35%
Some Issues resolved in Customer's favor	3	8%
Customer unresponsive/ uncooperative	5	13%
Case lacks Merit for CAP intervention	8	20%
VR Decision Determined Appropriate	4	10%
TOTAL	40	n/a

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Looking Ahead...FY 23

1. Establishing Independent CAP

• The CAP program was redesignated to Equip for Equality effective July 1, 2022. Much of our work in FY2023 will be to build the program by
  • continuing to train dedicated CAP staff;
  • engaging in strategic planning;
  • finalizing a brochure and other outreach materials; and
  • establishing connections with DRS leadership.

2. Effectively Serve Individual Vocational Rehabilitation Customers and Centers for Independent Living
  Consumers

• Serve 50+ individuals under the CAP program
• Identify trends from our individual representation and bring them to the attention of DRS leadership for discussion

3. Create Self-Advocacy Materials

• Create and publish 15 fact sheets on issues ranging from
  • VR services,
  • effective self-advocacy,
  • employment rights under Title I of the ADA, and
  • transition-related issues.

4. Outreach and training, including priority populations

• Continue outreach efforts and hope to do specific outreaches for Centers for Independent Living staff and consumers
• Monthly trainings on topics ranging from VR services, effective self-advocacy, employment rights under Title I of the ADA, transition-related issues.
• Target specific populations, including:
  • Court-Involved Youth
  • Individuals with IDD, including individuals living in Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) or State Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs)

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Program Services

CAP serves as an integral part of the rehabilitation system by:

• Informing and advising individuals of the services and benefits available through programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act and Title 1 of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
• Advocating and providing assistance for people in their pursuit of programs and services within the Rehabilitation Act.
• Helping identify and resolve problems that may arise during the rehabilitation process.
• Identifying problem areas within rehabilitation services and offering suggestions for improvement.

CAP benefits individuals by offering:

CAP can also:

• Recognize service delivery problems and recommend positive changes in rehabilitation program rules/policies.
• Provide outreach to individuals and groups representing individuals with disabilities from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
• Explain the nature of the various services available to people with a wide range of disabilities from the different state agency rehabilitation programs.
• Refer people with non-rehabilitation needs to other appropriate resources.