State Plan for Independent Living - Narrative: Section 1

State Plan for Independent Living (Fiscal Years 2011-2013)

Part II: Narrative

Section 1: Goals, Objectives and Activities

1.1: Goals and Mission
Describe the overall goals and mission of the State's IL programs and services. The SPIL must address the goals and mission of both the SILS and the CIL programs, including those of the State agency for individuals who are blind as they relate to the parts of the SPIL administered by that agency.

VISION:
Access to Independence and Equality

Mission:
To Create Policy and System Change for Independent Living

Advancing Olmstead
People with disabilities choose from a variety of options for community-based living: in housing, personal care assistance, transportation, with the aid of Assistive Technology.
Strengthen and Advance the Independent Living (IL) Network.
The IL Network utilizes coordinated action, communication, and electronic media more effectively.
Improvement for the Underserved and Underrepresented.
Persons underserved and underrepresented in the IL Network have increased presence and power in the Network.
Increasing capacity for educating policy makers.
Emerging leaders in the IL Network and disability community receive training and coordinate their activities at the local, state and national level.
Improve services to Older Individuals who are Blind.
Historically offered services such as community-based independent living skills training, orientation and mobility training, and purchase and use of assistive technology will be re-tooled to maximize dwindling resources and increasing populations of users.

1.2: Objectives

1.2A: Specify the objectives to be achieved and the time frame for achieving them.

Goal(s) from Section 1.1	Objective to be achieved	Time frame start date	Time frame end date
1. Advancing Olmstead	1.1 Key stakeholders and policymakers are more knowledgeable about strategies to increase affordable, accessible, and integrated housing for people with disabilities. 2010-2011: DOR will fund baseline report of available housing; best practices report. 2011-2012: Create report and materials.	04/01/2011	09/30/2012
	1.2 Key stakeholders and policymakers partner with the IL Network to implement strategies, including a transition fund, to increase affordable, accessible, and integrated housing for people with disabilities. 2010-2011: DOR-run transition fund continued and enhanced with data collection/evaluation systems. 2011-2012: Create education packet. 2012-2013: Introduce legislation.	10/01/2010	09/30/2013
	1.3 People with disabilities have a fundamental right to personal assistance services expressed through state programs and policies. 2010-2011: Systems Change Network Hub will identify a legislative sponsor. 2011-2012: Interested IL Network members will assist meeting with and educating the legislature; legislation drafted/presented. 2012-2013: Interested IL Network members will educate to shorten the wait times for receipt of IHSS.	12/06/2010	09/30/2013
	1.4 Stakeholders receive a re-designed model for providing effective personal assistance services to all people in California. 2010-2011: DOR will fund a contractor to measure effectiveness of IHSS and different personal assistance services; analyze current program: what works, what doesn't; convene stakeholders for strategic planning process. 2011-2012: Draft and publish re-designed model/recommendations.	04/01/2011	09/30/2012
	1.5 Stakeholders, policy-makers, and state transportation authorities are more knowledgeable about optimal accessible public transit systems in California. 2011-2012: The IL Network will designate a seat at the State Transportation Council representing the IL Network. 2012-2013: Interested IL Network members will educate Governor's office/staff.	04/01/2011	09/30/2013
	1.6 People with disabilities have increased access to Assistive Technology to support diversion and release from nursing homes and other institutions. 2010-2013: Assistive Technology remains an allowable use of the transition fund.	10/01/2010	09/30/2013
2. Strengthen and Advance the Independent Living (IL) Network.	2.1 Over 300 identified members of the IL Network receive information to coordinate action on disability rights issues. 2010-2011: Create list of 300 unduplicated partners already collaborating with ILCs. Survey state agencies and key disability organizations statewide. 2011-2012: Legislature visits; rallies; track legislation to determine success of legislature visits.	10/01/2010	09/30/2012
	2.2 The IL Network is enhanced by the development of an e-media plan and websites with greater service capacity.	04/01/2011	09/30/2013
	2.3 IL Network members are more knowledgeable regarding best practices for supporting employment outcomes within the network. 2010-2011: DOR will fund a grant to convene a focus group of employment organizations and agencies. 2011-2012: Link ILCs to existing workforce resources. 2012-2013: Educate stakeholders and policy makers regarding supporting employment outcomes within the IL Network. Coordinate with the DSU to educate people about employment programs such as employment rehabilitation and work consent programs. Develop demonstration projects to create employment outcomes (AmeriCorps, etc.).	03/10/2011	06/30/2013
3. Improvement for the Underserved and Underrepresented.	3.1 Members of the IL Network receive grants and scholarships to support conferences and other events that promote representation from the underserved populations identified in section 1.2B. All three years: Financial support will be directed to the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). The Independent Living Network will collaborate with YLF alumni, state agencies, community organizations, and youth to support YLF goals. 2010-2011: Financial support for the bi-annual conference held by the Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities Association of California. 2012-2013: Seek and approve funding for special projects to support expanded services to underserved and underrepresented communities.	10/01/2010	09/30/2013
	3.2 Stakeholders and policy makers are more knowledgeable about the progress made to increase diversity within the IL Network and highlighted needs of specific populations. 2010-2011: Develop a standard tool for capturing the required data from each ILC, to include what data is needed, how it is to be reported, and what it will be used for. 2011-2012: Educating policy makers and stakeholders. 2012-2013: Providing briefings; implementing best practices.	01/10/2011	09/30/2013
4. Increasing capacity for educating policy makers.	4.1 The IL Network receives guidance for coordinating policy education at the local, state, and federal level from a funded Systems Change Network Hub. All three years: Support a Systems Change Network Hub to educate, train, and support systems change advocates in the IL Network, and to build coalitions and alliances with the IL community, the disability community, and multi-cultural communities around policy issues that impact the lives of Californians with disabilities. Secure IL Network representation on national policy advisory and development bodies and state policy advisory and development bodies. Elect California's representation; have California's representation elected/appointed to advisory bodies. 2010-2011: Stakeholders are brought together in focus groups or at a conference to build consensus on education priorities. State and national advisory bodies are identified for representation. 2012-2013: The IL Network educates policy makers about key national, state, and local policy issues. Three best practices of local policy and systems change initiatives will be identified and shared with the IL Network.	10/01/2010	09/20/2013
	4.2 More people with disabilities are participating in policy education through Community Organizing grants, scholarships, and funded conferences. All three years: Sponsor individuals with disabilities to participate in at least three conferences and/or educational forums/summits that advances policy that contributes to people living independently, to gain access to education, employment, housing and transportation, assistive technology, and/or home and community based services; sponsor 6 to 9 conferences/summits that advance policy that contributes to people living independently, to gain access to education, employment, housing and transportation, assistive technology, and/or home and community based services; develop grants; announce grants; award grants.	10/01/2010	09/30/2013
5. Improve services to Older Individuals who are Blind.	5.1 Consumers, stakeholders and advocates convene with the DSU, and in partnership with the Blind Advisory Committee and the IL Network, in FFY 2011 to gather input and recommendations for the future of OIB focused on the most efficient and effective use of OIB funds to serve consumers statewide.	08/01/2011	09/15/2012

1.2: Objectives

1.2B: Describe the steps planned regarding outreach to populations in the State that are unserved or underserved by programs under title VII, including minority groups and urban and rural populations.

Identify the populations to be designated for targeted outreach efforts

The 2009 SPIL Needs Assessment reviewed a variety of documents for the purpose of determining which ethnic groups and disability groups are most in need of IL services. Sources included qualitative and quantitative data from ILCs Area Agencies on Aging partnering state agencies and various DSU reports - yield consistent conclusions: Latinos Asian Americans and Native Americans are the most frequently mentioned ethnic minority populations in need of IL services; Proportionally Asian Americans and Latinos are underrepresented in the DSU and ILC service rates; ILCs are actively developing culturally appropriate outreach and service delivery strategies to meet the needs of these groups and are organizing efforts to reach out to the growing population of Latinos and other ethnic groups with disabilities; Older adults with disabilities in rural areas are underserved i.e. people with disabilities who have aged have different needs than older adults whose disability is associated with aging; People with traumatic brain injury throughout the State need individually tailored services such as peer support housing and non-emergency medical transportation; Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are underserved in several Los Angeles areas and in rural Northern California; and several sub-populations were identified in many of the needs assessments which cut across all ethnic groups: seniors children/youth and young adults were mentioned as particularly in need or at risk. Our sources also identified veterans, homeless individuals and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community as requiring culturally relevant outreach and services.
Identify the geographic areas (i.e., communities) in which the targeted populations reside

Each ILC identifies unserved and underserved communities within its service area as well as priority populations for outreach based on Census data and other community demographic information (called a Diversity Plan). It must be noted that outreach is very challenging in the current environment with no additional resources and progressively diminishing net capacity of the ILCs statewide. The 2009 SPIL Needs Assessment relied on two studies recently conducted by the DSU one comparing California service recipients with nationwide Social Security beneficiaries and the other comparing the same service recipients with vocational rehabilitation consumers served across the nation. Added to that were three additional analyses which compared the reported population served by the California ILC network with 1) the most recent census estimates of the population with disabilities in each county 2) nursing home residents voicing a preference for returning to their communities and 3) the geographical distribution of parolees with disabilities. While each of these approaches provides only a rough indicator of current or potentially unmet needs taken together they provide a fairly clear and consistent assessment: - The region served by Rolling Start (San Bernardino Inyo and Mono Counties) is identified by all five methods as having high needs; - The regions served by Community Access Center (Riverside County) and by Resources for Independence Central Valley (RICV) (Fresno Kings Madera Merced and Tulare Counties) are identified as having high needs by three of the methods; and - The regions served by Resources for Independent Living (Sacramento and Yolo Counties) and by Disability Resources Agency for Independent Living (Amador Calaveras Mariposa San Joaquin Stanislaus and Tuolumne Counties) are identified as having high needs by two methods and above average needs by two other methods.
Describe how the needs of individuals with significant disabilities from minority group backgrounds will be addressed

The 2009 SPIL Needs Assessment reviewed a variety of documents for the purpose of determining which ethnic groups and disability groups are most in need of IL services. Sources included qualitative and quantitative data from ILCs, Area Agencies on Aging, partnering state agencies and various DSU reports - yield consistent conclusions: Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans are the most frequently mentioned ethnic minority populations in need of IL services;

Proportionally, Asian Americans and Latinos are underrepresented in the DSU and ILC service rates;

ILCs are actively developing culturally appropriate outreach and service delivery strategies to meet the needs of these groups and are organizing efforts to reach out to the growing population of Latinos and other ethnic groups with disabilities;

Several sub-populations were identified in many of the needs assessments which cut across all ethnic groups: seniors, children/youth, and young adults were mentioned as particularly in need or at risk. Our sources also identified veterans, homeless individuals, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community as requiring culturally relevant outreach and services.

In California, the DSU requires that each center that receives SSA reimbursement provide a Diversity Plan in their annual re-application. This plan not only identifies the underserved and underrepresented communities within its service area, as well as priority populations for outreach based on Census data and other community demographic information, the plan also details specific steps each center will take to improve services to the prioritized groups. DOR keeps the plans on file and requires quarterly reporting and accountability.

Additionally, with guidance from the SILC, DOR sponsors scholarships and events to promote opportunities for underserved and underrepresented participation. Some of these are described in the Goals and Objectives section 1.2A above.

1.3: Financial Plan

Describe in sections 1.3A and 1.3B, below, the financial plan for the use of Federal and non-Federal funds to meet the SPIL objectives.

1.3A: Financial Plan Tables

Complete the financial plan tables covering years 1, 2 and 3 of this SPIL. For each funding source, provide estimated dollar amounts anticipated for the applicable uses. The financial plan table should include only those funding sources and amounts that are intended to support one or more of the objectives identified in section 1.2 of the SPIL. To the extent possible, the tables and narratives must reflect the applicable financial information from centers for independent living. Refer to the SPIL Instructions for additional information about completing the financial tables and narratives.

Year 1 - 2011 Approximate funding amounts and uses

Sources	SILC resource plan	IL services	General CIL operations	Other SPIL activities
Title VII Funds
Title VII Funds Chapter 1, Part B	$517,500			$1,907,100
Title VII Funds Chapter 1, Part C			$7,547,439
Title VII Funds Chapter 2, OIB (only those provided by the OIB grantee to further a SPIL objective)		$3,386,395
Other Federal funds - Sec. 101(a)(18) of the Act (Innovation and Expansion)
Other Federal funds - other
Non-Federal funds - State funds	$57,500	$376,266		$211,900
ARRA Title VII Part B				$356,778
ARRA Title VII Part C			$7,707,228
Other Fed (Soc Sec Reimbrsmts)			$12,498,000

Total	$575,000	$3,762,661	$27,752,667	$2,475,778

Year 2 - 2012 Approximate funding amounts and uses

Sources	SILC resource plan	IL services	General CIL operations	Other SPIL activities
Title VII Funds
Title VII Funds Chapter 1, Part B	$517,500			$1,907,100
Title VII Funds Chapter 1, Part C			$7,547,439
Title VII Funds Chapter 2, OIB (only those provided by the OIB grantee to further a SPIL objective)		$3,386,395
Other Federal funds - Sec. 101(a)(18) of the Act (Innovation and Expansion)
Other Federal funds - other
Non-Federal funds - State funds	$57,500	$376,266		$211,900
Other Federal AoA ADRC grant				$50,000
Other Fed (Soc Sec Reimbrsmts)			$12,498,000

Total	$575,000	$3,762,661	$20,045,439	$2,169,000

Year 3 - 2013 Approximate funding amounts and uses

Sources	SILC resource plan	IL services	General CIL operations	Other SPIL activities
Title VII Funds
Title VII Funds Chapter 1, Part B	$517,500			$1,907,100
Title VII Funds Chapter 1, Part C			$7,547,439
Title VII Funds Chapter 2, OIB (only those provided by the OIB grantee to further a SPIL objective)		$3,386,395
Other Federal funds - Sec. 101(a)(18) of the Act (Innovation and Expansion)
Other Federal funds - other
Non-Federal funds - State funds	$57,500	$376,266		$211,900
Other Federal AoA ADRC grant				$50,000
Other Fed (Soc Sec Reimbrsmts)			$12,498,000

Total	$575,000	$3,762,661	$20,045,439	$2,169,000

1.3B: Financial Plan Narratives

1.3B(1) Specify how the part B, part C and chapter 2 (Older Blind) funds, if applicable, will further the SPIL objectives.

Title VII Part B and ARRA Part B funds will support the following 2011-2013 SPIL Objectives:

Olmstead Objectives 1.1 through 1.6;
Strengthen IL Network Objectives 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3;
Improvement for Underrepresented Objectives 3.1 and 3.2;
Increasing Capacity for Educating Policy Objectives 4.1, and 4.2;
Outreach activities under Section 1.2B.

Title VII Part C funds will support the following 2011-2013 SPIL Objectives:

Olmstead Objectives 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6;
Strengthen IL Network Objectives 2.2 and 2.3;
Improvement for Underrepresented Objective 3.2;
Outreach activities under Section 1.2B.

Administration on Aging/ADRC funds will support the following Objectives:

Olmstead Objective 1.4

ARRA Part C funds support 2010-2013 SPIL objectives including:

Outreach to Under-represented Populations Objective 1.D;
Youth Objective 1.E;
Strengthening the Independent Living Network Objective 2.A;
Olmstead Objective 2.C;
Promote the Development of Community Resources Objective 3.D;
Outreach activities under Section 1.2B to unserved and underserved population groups and geographic areas.

1.3B(2) Describe efforts to coordinate Federal and State funding for centers and IL services, including the amounts, sources and purposes of the funding to be coordinated.

The coordination of federal and state funding for Centers and IL services is addressed through the planning framework that is incorporated in this SPIL, under Section 3, the Statewide Network. This document describes the allocation of both federal and state resources among Independent Living Centers in California. In addition to describing the current allocation of such resources, the document also sets forth a plan for how additional state and federal resources would be used to fund Center services. This framework for allocating federal and state funding is the result of collaboration and cooperation between the SILC, the California Independent Living Network and the DSU. Since the mid-nineties, the DSU has provided Social Security reimbursements for independent living services. In 2009, this amount was $12,498,000.00 from SSA Program Income to the California Independent Living Centers. Both Part C funds and SSA Program Income will be used for core IL services. This additional annual funding will be provided on an ongoing basis so long as the SSA Program Income continues to be available to the DSU. As a result of a SILC study in 1998, "Funding Independent Living Centers in California" the SILC and the DSU reached an agreement with RSA that new Title VII C funds (after COLAs) would be distributed according to a formula which complements, but is not identical to, the one set forth in State statutes. These funds will be allocated to the 29 State recognized centers using a base amount + square mileage + % population formula similar to the one used in the 2009 SPIL amendment. The California Independent Living Community does not intend to alter the existing 7C grant awards in any way. In the event of new Title VII C funds (after COLAs), the state will need technical assistance to create a formula that does not alter existing funding.

Further, in recognition of the critical importance of IL services to Californians with disabilities, the DSU agreed to work with the ILC?s to develop new areas of service collaboration for consumers who require both VR and IL services. Groups of consumers who could benefit from such collaboration include, but are not limited to, transition age youth, and persons surviving traumatic brain injury. These joint collaborative efforts will be documented, as appropriate, in the annual 704 report and in future amendments to the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

1.3B(3) Describe any in-kind resources including plant, equipment or services to be provided in support of the SILC resource plan, IL services, general CIL operations and/or other SPIL objectives.

The 10% Title VII, Chapter 2 OIB match is provided through in-kind services and support primarily in the form of property and facilities, equipment, supplies and other expendable properties, and the value of goods and services directly benefitting and specifically identifiable to the OIB Program. All contributions are in compliance with Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 80.24.

1.3B(4) Provide any additional information about the financial plan, as appropriate.

This SPIL establishes priorities to utilize unspent Title VII, Part B funds during the SPIL 2011-2013. The State Plan Partners need an efficient way to maximize these scarce resources. The competitive priorities identified during SPIL formulation allowed the SILC to develop objectives and allocate funds for many different initiatives. However, there are more unmet needs to address.

As a result, California SILC will work with the DSU to identify any unspent Part B amounts on a quarterly basis. During January, California SILC will be notified of the amount of unspent Part B money. At their next quarterly meeting, California SILC will then meet to make recommendations for the best use of the funds according to the following criteria:

To enhance the funding level for any existing SPIL objectives to maximize their success.
To fund projects prioritized during the SPIL formulation process that did not receive any resources.
To fund any urgent or emerging priorities identified.

1.4 Compatibility with Chapter 1 of Title VII and the CIL Work Plans

1.4A Describe how the SPIL objectives are consistent with and further the purpose of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act as stated in section 701 of the Act and 34 CFR 364.2.

Olmstead Objectives
Maximizing the integration and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities into the mainstream of society.
Strengthen IL Network Objectives
Improving working relationships between the SILC, CILs, CAP, and numerous other entities by collaborating on disability issues through which IL philosophy can be promoted and peer support can be engendered.

Supporting the statewide network of CILs.

Enhancing the availability of IL services.
Improvement for Underrepresented Objectives and 5. Outreach activities under 1.2B
Promoting a philosophy of independent living (IL), including a philosophy of self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities, and to promote and maximize the integration and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities into the mainstream of American society.
Increasing Capacity for Educating Policy Objectives
Enhancing the IL philosophy by working to ensure that future leaders learn the skills of self-determination, self-help and empowerment and can then advocate for equal access and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities in society.

1.4B Describe how, in developing the SPIL objectives, the DSU and the SILC considered and incorporated, where appropriate, the priorities and objectives established by centers for independent living under section 725(c)(4) of the Act.

The DSU and the SILC considered and included center priorities and objectives using several methods. During the Needs Assessment phase, all centers were invited to submit their own Needs Assessment. Researchers also reviewed all 704 reports for the State of California. Researchers surveyed the Executive Directors for all of the Independent Living Centers regarding their priorities and identified emerging issues. Strategic planning sessions were held at the SILC quarterly meetings in December and February. The December meeting was open to the public and at least two ILC Directors who do not serve on the SILC participated in defining the Vision, Mission, and Goals. The February meeting was a joint meeting with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and included dozens of center directors and other personnel in the planning of objectives and activities. Additionally, a SPIL Working Group Ad Hoc committee was formed in November that meets publicly via teleconference twice monthly and is composed of SILC members, DSU staff, and ILC personnel.

1.5 Cooperation, Coordination, and Working Relationships Among Various Entities

Describe the steps that will be taken to maximize the cooperation, coordination and working relationships among the SILS program, the SILC, and centers; the DSU, other State agencies represented on the SILC and other councils that address the needs of specific disability populations and issues; and other public and private entities determined to be appropriate by the SILC.

The description must identify the entities with which the DSU and the SILC will cooperate and coordinate.

Cooperation and collaboration are an integral feature of the Independent Living program in California. This mindset allows us to maximize scarce resources so we can reach more unserved and underserved individuals through the organizations they visit and provide better services to them. By establishing more partnerships, organizations can educate each other, share best practices, stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving, enhance access to mutual consumers and needed services, and address emerging and complex needs more fully and deeply. Collaboration also promotes expansion of relationship circles and connections to decision-makers who can eliminate barriers to independent living. Finally, collaboration leverages funding and decreases the possibility of duplicated services.

Description of collaborating entities.

Major partners in the state Independent Living Network include the DSU, SILC, CFILC, and the ILCs. DOR serves as the DSU, controlling funds and ensuring legal compliance. SILC supports the DSU in planning VIIB allocation, collecting testimony and needs information around the state, and having public forums to discuss the DSU's work to advance independent living. CFILC is a membership for the majority of independent living centers in California and they support the ILCs programmatically as well as with coordinating projects with one another. The Independent Living Centers provide services to people with disabilities in their local communities and also advocate to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from living independently.

The SILC includes representatives from many members of the IL Network including a member of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, a representative from the Special Education division of the Department of Education, four ILC Directors, a metropolitan ADA coordinator, representatives from the brain injury survivor community, staff from CFILC, a youth organizer, a work incentives trainer, a VR 121 Director, an SRC member, and Ex-Officios from the Departments of Rehabilitation, Developmental Services, Mental Health, Social Services, and Aging.

The DSU and the SILC will cooperate and coordinate with many state agency partners as well as private corporations. An incomplete list follows: California Health and Human Services Agency. Departments of Aging, Health Care Services, Public Health, Social Services, Mental Health, Developmental Services, Transportation, Housing and Community Development, Emergency Management Agency; The state offices of Health Planning and Development, Client Assistance Programs, and CA Volunteers; Boards/Commissions/Councils on Aging, Developmental Disabilities, Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and Mental Health Planning Council; Membership associations such as Traumatic Brain Injury Services of CA, California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, CA Association of Public Authorities, and California Association of Caregiver Resource Centers; Not-for-profit corporations such as Disability Rights California, Disability Rights Legal Center, World Institute on Disability, and Disability Rights Advocates; Statewide coalitions such as the Respect-ABILITY Coalition, California Network of Mental Health Consumers, CA Council of the Blind, National Federation for the Blind of CA, and many others.
SILC's role in accomplishing the plan is to advise the DSU about unmet needs and emerging needs, and to facilitate discussions about unspent funds, program effectiveness, and other kinds of evaluation. SILC also takes responsibility for implementing some of the other SPIL projects, especially those related to increasing services to underserved, underrepresented populations.
ILCs helped design the plan and they also implement some of the activities. Some of this implementation occurs at every center, such as the diversity plans they each create, and some of the implementation occurs on a larger scale when one of the centers wins a grant competition to execute an activity from the SPIL.
The DSU has an extensive role in accomplishing the plan. They control all the non part C funds related to independent living. They write requests for grant applications, hold competitions, and award grants so that entities can complete the SPIL activities. The DSU provides technical assistance to all the ILCs and conducts compliance reviews to ensure the Rehabilitation Act is implemented according to law.
Partners collaborate on many levels, attending each others' meetings and holding joint meetings and conferences. Most large-scale outcomes are evidence of the high level of collaboration within the state. All the major partners communicate via teleconferences, e-mail, face-to-face meetings, staffing public meetings, reviewing and commenting on documents, etc.

1.6 Coordination of Services

Describe how IL services funded under chapter 1 of title VII of the Act will be coordinated with and complement other services to avoid unnecessary duplication with other Federal, State, and local programs, including the OIB program authorized by chapter 2 of title VII of the Act, that provide IL- or VR-related services.

Centers that provide significant levels of employment services do so under contract with the vocational rehabilitation program, thus using funds under Title I of the Act. All centers in California provide some level of services to older blind individuals; however, they focus on the services at which they excel and leave the specialized services to the programs funded under Chapter 2 - three of these programs are independent living centers.

As well, ILCs coordinate services with local services and programs to meet the needs of the communities they serve and to avoid duplication of services. Local CIL coordination includes providing Veterans, Mental Health, Housing, and Youth Transition services and assistance with Individual Education Plans. Some ILCs are lead organizations for California Community Transitions, Money Follows the Person, demonstration project providing Medi-Cal services for transitioning individuals into community living. A number of ILCs also coordinate services through local Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

The DOR, SILC, and ILC Directors and staff serve on various committees and councils to assist with the coordination of services. Coordination is achieved through the California Foundation of Independent Living Centers Systems change and Assistive Technology Networks, representation on the State Council for Developmental Disabilities, Workforce Investment Boards, both local and statewide, Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, and Office of Disability and Health. The Youth Leadership Forum is a collaboration between DOR, SILC, ILCs, and DDS.

1.7 Independent Living Services for Individuals who are Older Blind

Describe how the DSU seeks to incorporate into, and describe in, the State plan any new methods or approaches for the provision of IL services to older individuals who are blind that are developed under the Older Individuals who are Blind program and that the DSU determines to be effective.

The Independent Living Services Program for individuals who are 55 years of age or older and blind or visually impaired is administered by the DSU through the Specialized Services Division, Blind Field Services (BFS). BFS is a specialized unit of the DSU.

The Older Blind program is referred to as the Older Individuals who are Blind Program (OIB). Services are available state-wide through Federal grants with seventeen non-profit community based programs renewed each federal fiscal year.

The non-profit community agency staff is responsible for the majority of case processing functions related to service provision for eligible consumers. Blind Field Services Rehabilitation Counselors (RC) located in BFS field offices partner with OIB grantee staff to ensure maximum service availability for eligible individuals. Grant agencies provide independent living services (ILS) both in-home as well as in the community.

Independent Living Services training is available through individualized plans for independence. Blindness and low-vision techniques are taught. Assistive technology and equipment may be loaned or purchased to consumers for use in their home and / or community. In FFY 2008, 5,272 clients were served across California.

For those individuals seeking assistance with low-vision or blindness skills training but do not meet federal eligibility, appropriate referrals will be made to the Independent Living Centers and / or other community resources.

Due to limited availability of funds for OIB services consumers, stakeholders and advocates will convene with the DSU, and in partnership with the Blind Advisory Committee and the IL Network, in FFY 11 to gather input and recommendations for the future of OIB focused on the most efficient and effective use of OIB funds to serve consumers statewide.

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