Welcome to the California State Independent Living Council Website
The SILC is an 18-member council, appointed by the Governor, to represent persons with disabilities throughout the state and charged with:
- Determining the allocation of federal funds for independent living;
- Advising the Governor and Legislature about issues impacting persons with disabilities in California;
- Creating projects and moving forward ideas that will enhance the ability of people with disabilities to live independently;
- Assuring compliance with applicable state and federal laws governing independent living.
All council members serve three year terms as volunteers. In July 1996, Governor Pete Wilson signed an executive order which established the SILC as an independent state agency.
State Independent Living Council Pays Tribute to Disability Rights Leaders
Updated: 1/4/2012
"SILC continues to promote its vision by recognizing disability rights leaders throughout the month of January making SILC's vision of "access to independence and equality" more of a reality."
Independence Continues to be a Costly Gift for Some Even During the Holidays
Updated: 11/30/2011
SAN DIEGO, CA - During this busy time of year, Access to Independence Executive Director Louis Frick is reminded daily of the value of personal assistance services for people with disabilities.
SILC Quarterly Meeting
Updated: 11/17/2011
The governor-appointed California State Independent Living Council (SILC) will meet in San Diego to identify and address areas for improvement and build on current strengths related to the SILC's mission: "Creating policy and system change for independent living."
Veterans with Disabilities
Updated: 11/14/2011
At the SILC we know you are working to increase independent living opportunities for Veterans with disabilities. Follow this link to help you in that effort.
SILC Chair Heightens Awareness of TBI
Updated: 10/18/2011
October 11, 2011, Monterey County, California - SILC Chairperson Elsa Quezada, a long time advocate integrating persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) into the Independent Living Network ensured her neighbors and community members understood the crisis facing people with TBI. "...our community with TBI is only growing," writes Quezada, "In California alone, nearly 28,000 veterans have returned home with a TBI, an increase of 60 percent since 2000."
SILC seeks Nevada County input on aging with a disability
Updated: 8/19/2011
August 19, 2011, Sacramento, California - The governor-appointed State Independent Living Council (SILC) will focus its quarterly meeting in Grass Valley next month on aging with a disability in California's rural communities, and is seeking input from stakeholders including the disability community.
Grant Funds Build a Force for Future Change
Updated: 6/06/2011
June 6, 2011, Sacramento, California - To build a powerful, effective, and ongoing force for future change, Independent Living Centers in Berkeley, Fresno/Central Valley, Orange County, San Diego, and Van Nuys/San Fernando Valley will receive $75,000 a year in Title VII B funds.
SILC Chooses Strategic Planner to Advance Community-Based Services
Updated: 05/26/2011
In line with Goal 1 from the 2011-2013, Advancing Olmstead: People with disabilities choose from a variety of options for community-based living; The SILC announces selection of a strategic planning facilitator.
Innovative Events Support Leadership within Independent Living
Updated: 03/13/2011
Along with Departments of Rehabilitation (DOR), Aging (CDA), Health Care Services (DHCS), and in partnership with the California Health and Human Services Agency (HHS), the SILC is co-sponsoring several events this Spring designed to enhance Independent Living Leadership in California. March 25 focuses on leadership to keep people in their own homes, May 4th SILC members receive legislative training and visit the legislature, and May 5th and 6th builds unity to increase focus and funding. All the events will be in Sacramento.
Governor Schwarzenegger Makes Final Appointments As Term Ends Sunday Night
Updated: 01/05/2011
Continuing his support for the California Independent Living Network, the SILC received one new appointment and four reappointments late Sunday. There is no salary for these appointments to the council and none of the appointments require State Senate confirmation.
The newest SILC member is Michael Agyin. Mr. Agyin, 32, a registered Democrat, of Los Angeles worked as a job coach for The Marriott Foundation, Bridges Los Angeles since 2009 and as deaf festival consultant for Los Angeles Councilmember Tony Cardenas since 2008, where he previously served as a special project assistant from 2005 to 2006. Agyin worked in neighborhood and community services for the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from 2008 to 2009, as program assistant for the Campaign for College Opportunity from 2006 to 2007 and as a public ally fellow for Public Allies from 2006 to 2007.
Youth Positive Images This Holiday Season
Updated: 12/26//2010
SILC wishes you joy and warmth during this holiday season, a time when Dicken’s Tiny Tim reminds us about the importance of independent living and disability rights philosophies.
Since Victorian times, Western society has idealized the sentimental image of disability as a pitiful child in desperate need of help. A more powerful image for young people with disabilities is promoted by Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC), in collaboration with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC), the Department of Rehabilitation, with funding allocated by the SILC.
SILC Elects New Officers
Updated: 12/10//2010
SILC elected new officers this week to continue the work of sustaining SILC’s long-standing, community-focused projects strengthening Independent Living in California.
SILC’s board elected the following new officers:
- Chairperson – Elsa Quezada
- Vice Chairperson – Susan Madison
- Past Chairperson and State Rehabilitation Council Representative – Teddie-Joy Remhild
SILC Observes Veteran's Day*
Updated: 11/11/2010
SILC is proud to observe this Veterans Day with a salute to all of our brave Veterans and a tribute to those who have given their lives so that America remains free.
Central Coast Center for Independent Living, in partnership with the California State Department of Rehabilitation and with funding allocated by the SILC, honors our Veterans every day. CCCIL was awarded ARRA funds to improve independent living services to persons living with traumatic brain injury, in particular, Veterans. Read More
Join us! Innovation and Design Based on Needs Assessment
Updated: 11/1/2010
SPIL COMMITTEE MEETS 3RD MONDAY EACH MONTH FROM 10 TO 11:30 AM
The 2011-2013 State Plan for Independent Living, approved September 2010 is a living document responding to the Needs Assessment (left) and data received from around the state. Join the committee in change, innovation, and strategic thinking! Read and share the Needs Assessment. Let's grow Independent Living.
State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) SRC Annual Reports Link:
http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/exec/src.htm
SILC awarded ADRC Grant
Updated: 9/30/2009
We are very proud to announce that the California SILC was awarded a United States Administration on Aging ADRC grant today! This grant is close to $800 thousand over a three year period. We are particularly grateful to Tony Sauer, Lynn Daucher, Lora Connolly, Paula Acosta, Joe Xavier, Karol Swartzlander, Betsi Howard, and Elizabeth Leef for their provision of technical assistance and support that made it possible for us to receive these funds. It was great to have Aging, Rehabilitation, and Health Care working together to secure these funds.
The grant has three features.
- To open a new ADRC collaborative in California where none currently exists. We will be looking for an Independent Living Center that wants to spearhead this effort and receive the bulk of funding.
- To support staff at all the ADRC’s to learn more about the Coleman Transition Model for transitioning from hospital to home.
- To create an advisory body that will engage in strategic planning for the future of ADRC’s in California.
Thanks to all of you who support the SILC in its work! We look forward to more community collaboration in the future.
State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) SRC Annual Reports Link:
http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/exec/src.htm
SILC position paper on Independent Living Services to Native Americans
Updated: 7/16/2009
Independent Living Services to Native Americans in Microsoft Word format (80 kb) or Rich Text Format (57 kb).
Energy efficiency and conservation information. Find incentives/rebates, technical assistance, retailers, product guides, case studies and more.
AMBER ALERT empowers law enforcement, the media and the public to combat abduction by sending out immediate information.
Information regarding Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700 and Travel Expense Claim Forms readily available to the public.
Save Our Water is a statewide public education program designed to educate Californians on the state's water challenges and encourage them to reduce the amount of water they use everyday.
This portal gives all Californians a breakdown, by issue area, of the funding California is estimated to receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Designed to help California's working families become more financially secure by connecting them to important programs and resources.