LONG RANGE (THREE YEAR) PLAN
VISION
A. MISSION
The Mission of the CIL is to raise the vision and capability of the community at large to the point where people of all abilities have equal access.
B. STANDARDS AND VALUES
All of the CIL, activities, and opportunities will fully comply with the Independent Living Standards articulated in the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1992 in Section 725. The CIL embraces these Standards because they are at the heart of the CIL’s values.The CIL strives to attain the following in order to accomplish its
Mission:
1. Base all decisions and activities on Independent Living philosophy including:
a. Consumer control of the CIL’s decision-making through the Board of Directors and staff concerning all programs and activities.
b. Equal access to the CIL’s governance, staffing, programs, activities and opportunities including both physical and communications access.
c. Self-advocacy and self-help as basic tenets for all participants in the CIL’s decision-making, activities, programs and opportunities.
d. Development of peer relationships as a basic mode for carrying out all of the CIL decision-making, activities, programs and opportunities.
2. Operate on a fully cross-disability basis in all decision-making, activities, programs and opportunities based on the belief that people with disabilities have more issues in common than issues that separate them in their struggle for full participation in their families and communities.
o Enable all people with disabilities to set their goals relative to their own participation in CIL programs, activities, opportunities and decision-making.
o Promote the increased availability and improved quality of the community for people with disabilities as well as the community-based programs that serve them including the removal of existing architectural, attitudinal, communication, environmental, social, economic or any other type barrier that prevents their full
participation in society.
3. Include in all CIL programs and activities the core opportunities for the following:
a. Information and referral.
b. Systems advocacy involvement.
c. Independent living skills training
c. Peer support and relationships including those of a cross-disability nature.
d. Individual advocacy training and support.
e. A combination of other opportunities relative to such areas as housing, transportation, education, income, and legal matters.
4. Include in all CIL programs and activities a component for resource development, which encourages an entrepreneurial approach for each program to seek independent funding for program support with the ultimate goal of shedding dependence on government funds.
C. BROAD OBJECTIVES
The CIL has three broad objectives under which all other objectives, activities, programs and opportunities fall.
1. OBJECTIVE ONE
Increase individual and community knowledge concerning the issues, resources, and opportunities relative to people with disabilities and increase the number of referrals made by the CIL for people with disabilities, their families, and the public.
2. OBJECTIVE TWO
Increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to function independently in their communities and participate fully through the change in systems and institutions, which present barriers, the development of more community options and an increase in public awareness.
3. OBJECTIVE THREE
Enable people with disabilities to increase or maintain their independence by offering opportunities that will enhance their capability to do so.
The CIL’s vision of the future extends beyond what can be accomplished in three years. Some of the objectives may take longer than three years but are included because it is important in order to see the vision.
D. AREA OF JURISDICTION
The State Office of Rehabilitation has set the boundaries such that the Independent Living Center (ILC) works with the County. The lines of jurisdiction cut the county in half, an unnatural division that makes planning difficult for both Centers. The two Centers cooperate well to offer opportunities and activities in the county, but in addition to the unnatural division of the county, distances and limited resources leave the county with few IL activities and opportunities.
OBJECTIVE 1: Incorporate both counties into the CIL’s jurisdictional territory.
Activity 1.1: Meet with ILC and the SILC to discuss jurisdictional issues and resolve them.
Responsibility: Executive Director assisted by the Board of Directors.
Deadline: ______.
OBJECTIVE 2: Establish a satellite office in the county to offer systems advocacy, community options development and individual opportunities to people in county 1 and county 2, based on the mission, standards and broad objectives of the CIL.
Activity 2.1: Hire a VISTA Volunteer to be located in
one of the counties.
Activity 2.2: Locate donated space in the county.
Activity 2.3: Train the VISTA in Independent Living
philosophy and skills needed to carry out IL activities.
Responsibility: Executive Director assisted by the
Program Coordinators.
Deadline: ______
E. CENTER, PROGRAM AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT
The CIL has a good mix of programs but the quality and capability have room for improvement and are constantly threatened by loss of resources and being understaffed. Current staff covers all bases but at the high cost of constantly working beyond scheduled hours and not doing things as well as they would like and as can be done.
OBJECTIVE 3: Increase the quality, capability, and scope of
the CIL’s activities and opportunities.
Activity 3.1: Establish the Opportunities for Recreation Program as a permanent program at the CIL (see "Resource Development" below.)
Responsibility: Executive Director assisted by the Board and the Recreation Coordinator.
Deadline: ______for 100% funding.
Activity 3.2: Establish Common Ground Outdoor Adventures as a permanent program at the CIL (see "Resource Development" below.)
Responsibility: Common Ground VISTA Volunteer assisted by the Executive Director Board.
Deadline: ______
Activity 3.3: Maintain the Assistive Technology (AT) Program and the AT Coordinator position at the CIL (see "Resource Development" below.)
Responsibility: ADA Coordinator assisted by the Executive Director and the Board.
Deadline: ______
Activity 3.4: Hire a Systems Change and Community Options Advocate to devote 100% time to advocacy and the development of advocacy/support groups including ______in one county, ______in one county and a group in one county (see "Resource Development" below.)
Responsibility: Executive Director assisted by other staff members.
Deadline: ______.
Activity 3.5: Hire an Administrative Assistant/Operations Manager to monitor program, opportunities, participant record management and review and to doEmployee Performance Appraisal, report completion and other administrative tasks (see "Resource Development" below.)
Responsibility: Executive Director assisted by other staff members.
Deadline: ______.
Activity 3.6: Maintain 4 VISTA Volunteers to do outreach, advocacy, recreation programs, volunteer recruitment and to establish and maintain a satellite office in one of the counties.
Responsibility: VISTA Volunteers assisted by the Executive Director.
Deadline: On-going.
Activity 3.7: Establish closer liaison with ______Departments to obtain more practicum and intern students to assist existing staff with responsibilities.
Responsibility: Executive Director assisted by the Program Coordinators.
Deadline: ______, on-going.
Activity 3.8: Conduct a salary comparability study and a benefits equity study to assure that employees are getting paid equitable wages in order to maintain and nurture good employees.
Responsibility: Fiscal Officer assisted by the Executive Director.
Deadline: ______.
Activity 3.9: Provide continuing development and training to staff members, VISTA Volunteers and other volunteers through professional memberships, conferences, literature purchases, workshops, seminars and in-house presentations.
Responsibility: Staff members, VISTA Volunteers and volunteers assisted by the Executive Director.
Deadline: On-going.
F. FACILITY
The CIL’s facility is fully accessible and is adequate for the CIL’s purpose but the money that goes into rent could be used to develop the Center, programs and staff.
OBJECTIVE 4: Build or buy a facility that is state-of-the-art in accessibility to house CIL operations and programs.
Activity 4.1: Investigate the policies, procedures and schedule for applying for CDBG grants to the Association of Governments and the Regional Council
Responsibility: ADA Coordinator assisted by the Executive Director.
Deadline: ______
Activity 4.2: Develop a plan for the facility including floor plan, furnishings and cost with a volunteer architect.
Responsibility: ADA Coordinator assisted by the Executive Director, and the Board.
Deadline: ______.
Activity 4.3: Present the plan for the facility to 5 County Commissions and Councils, 19 City Councils in the county, 15 City Councils in another County, 4 City Councils in another County and 7 City Councils in other Counties in an attempt to gain their sponsorship for a CDBG grant to fund the facility.
Responsibility: ADA Coordinator assisted by the Board, all the CIL Program Coordinators and VISTA Volunteers.
Deadline: ______
Activity 4.4: Apply for a CDBG grant large enough to finance the facility.
Responsibility: ADA Coordinator assisted by the Executive Director.
Deadline: The next application cycle after _____ depending on the information in activity 4.1.
G. GOVERNANCE
The CIL Board of Directors needs strengthening and, in addition, the organization, to comply with its bylaws and assure maximum consumer input, must become a membership organization.
OBJECTIVE 5: Strengthen the Board of Directors.
Activity 5.1: Add four additional members to the Board.
Responsibility: The Board.
Deadline: ______
Activity 5.2: Provide intensive training on IL philosophy, Board functions and operations and the CIL structure and programs to all Board members using a consultant trainer.
Responsibility: Board President assisted by the Executive Director.
Deadline: ______
OBJECTIVE 6: Develop the CIL into a membership organization.
Activity 6.1: Offer membership to members of _____, ______,
all other consumer advocacy groups and all people with disabilities in the CIL’s area.
Responsibility: Systems Change Advocate assisted by the Executive Director and the Board.
Deadline: ______-
H. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
The CIL has a bold vision for itself and must have an aggressive funding plan to realize that vision. Although politically, this may not seem like the time for an aggressive funding plan, the CIL will take the challenge. Resource Development
will consist of five prong plan:
1. An annual mail solicitation consisting of a targeted letter.
2. An annual fund raising event.
3. Monitoring of/application for federal, state and local government funds and grants.
4. Research of, and application for corporate, foundation, and charitable giving grants and donations.
5. The establishment of a "Friends of the CIL" organization to educate the community about the CIL accomplishments, to advocate for donations throughout
the jurisdiction, and to establish an endowment program.
OBJECTIVE 7: Raise sufficient funds to carry out the CIL’s plan to realize its vision.
Activity 7.1: Send a donation solicitation letter annually targeted to those in the community who are known to give donations, who are known to have money, and whose children, if any, no longer live at home.
Responsibility: Executive Director assisted by the Board President and all Board Members.
Deadline: Early December of each year.
Activity 7.2: Design, plan and a significant and appealing fund raising event or activity to be implemented annually in connection with a holiday.
Responsibility: Board President assisted by the entire Board and Staff.
Deadline: ______
Activity 7.3: Monitor federal requests for applications through the Center for People with Disabilities, research the possibilities for state funds and go after the grants and funds as appropriate.
Responsibility: AT/ADA Coordinator, Recreation Coordinator, and Common Ground VISTA assisted by the Executive Director, the Board and staff members.
Deadline: On-going.
Activity 7.4: Research national, state and local corporate, foundation and charitable procedures, timeliness and targets and for grants and donations and submit applications where appropriate.
Responsibility: VISTA Volunteers assisted by the Program Coordinators and the Executive Director.
Deadline: On-going.
Activity 7.5: Write a proposal and submit all the paperwork to United Way each year.
Responsibility: Executive Director and Fiscal Officer.
Deadline: February and April each year.
Activity 7.6: Plan, recruit members for, and establish a "Friends of the CIL" group.
Responsibility: Board President assisted by Board members and the Executive Director.
Deadline: ______
ANNUAL PLAN - FY ______
A. FUNDING
OBJECTIVE 1: TO RAISE $xxxx AS SECOND YEAR MATCH FOR THE RECREATION PROGRAM
The CIL will seek to raise the money both singly and in cooperation with the Association for Independent Living of the state through 1) solicitation letters to corporations and charitable organizations both singly in the CIL’s area and in conjunction with the ______statewide, 2) proposals to the United Way and 3) a request, in conjunction with the _____, to the Statewide Independent Living Council for state funds allocated to Independent Living.
Responsible: Executive Director assisted by the Recreation Coordinator.
OBJECTIVE 2: TO RAISE $xx,xxx TO KEEP ______IN
OPERATION AFTER THE FOUNDING VISTA'S VOLUNTEER TERM IS UP.
The CIL will seek funding through 1) an increase in student fees at State University, 2) solicitations from corporations and charitable organizations, 3) a request to the City and County, and 4) a request to the State Office of Rehabilitation (SOR) for Title I, Part B innovation funds and Social Security Reimbursement funds.
Responsible: VISTA Volunteer assisted by the Executive Director.
OBJECTIVE 3: TO OBTAIN AN ALLOCATION FROM THE STATE
LEGISLATURE THAT WILL SUPPORT THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM.
The CIL will work closely with the Assistive Technology Program and state agencies to draft a bill and educate legislators to the need well in advance of the legislative session in the hope of obtaining the allocation.
Responsible: AT/ADA Coordinator with the assistance of the staff, CCDC and other consumers.
B. PROGRAM
OBJECTIVE 4: TO IMPROVE THE REPORTING OF INFORMATION AND
REFERRAL TRANSACTIONS.
The CIL will reinstate a form designed to capture I & R information. The form will be kept by each phone where staff members can make an entry when they do an I & R transaction.
Responsible: Center Manager Assisted by the Executive Director and all staff members.
OBJECTIVE 5: TO EXPAND PEER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.
The outreach VISTA Volunteer will compile a resource manual concerning Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), will establish contacts with rehab centers to make referrals to him/her of people with new Spinal Cord Injuries and will personally deliver or mail the resource manual upon request.
Responsible: Outreach VISTA Volunteer with the assistance of the Executive Director.
OBJECTIVE 6: TO CARRY OUT A STRONG SYSTEMS CHANGE AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS.
At a national level, Personal Assistant Services (PAS), Employment Consolidation, the reauthorization of IDEA, dispute resolution in rural areas, and an Independent Living Act will be addressed.
Responsible: PAS - Executive Director;Employment Consolidation - Executive Director and AT/ADA coordinator; IDEA - IL Coordinator; Dispute Resolution -IL Coordinator OPB; IL Act - Executive Director.
At a state level, the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), Assistive Technology barriers, a PAS Medicaid waiver, ______(Health Care Reform) and a State Independent Living Act will be addressed.
Responsible: SILC - Executive Director;AT Barriers AT/ADA Coordinator & Executive Director;PAS Waiver -IL Coordinator & Executive Director;______–IL Coordinator/OPB & Executive Director;State IL Act -AT/ADA Coordinator.
At a local level, Accessible gas stations, accessibility of the dam and accessibility of the park will be addressed.
Responsible: Gas Stations - VISTAs and AT/ADA Coordinator;______Dam – VISTA
C. BOARD
OBJECTIVE 7: TO ADD FOUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE BOARD AND MAKE
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.
The Board will identify, appoint, and train four new members with diverse disabilities and expertise.
Responsible: Board Members.
D. ADMINISTRATION
OBJECTIVE 8: TO TRAIN STAFF MEMBERS ON ALL CIL POLICIES
AND PLANS AND ADHERE TO THEM.
One staff meeting a month will be devoted to reviewing CIL policies and plans and recommending any needed changes. Periodic random review will be made of participant records in an attempt to keep them up to date.
Responsible: Executive Director.
CIL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES
A. ADMINISTRATIVE PRINCIPLES
1. The CIL will promote and practice Independent Living philosophy in all aspects of the organization.
2.The CIL shall have a clearly defined target population that includes a range of disabilities and under- and unrepresentative of people with disabilities.
3. The CIL will demonstrate increased barrier removal from society's systems and institutions, and the physical, communicative, social and economic environments.
4. The CIL will demonstrate a positive impact on participant achievement of independent living goals.
5. The CIL will offer information and referral to all inquirers including the general population.
6. The CIL will offer, at the very least, the following independent living opportunities to people with significant disabilities and/or their families: Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Systems and Individual Advocacy.
7. The CIL will conduct activities to increase community capacity to meet the needs of people with disabilities, such as, but not limited to, the following: advocacy (community), technical assistance, public education and information dissemination, outreach to people with disabilities and other organizations and agencies, initiatives to establish an active role in the disability community.
8. Qualified people with disabilities shall be in control of policy direction, decision making, opportunities offered, and management of the Center.
9. The CIL will establish clear priorities through long-range and annual program and financial plans and through other relevant planning.
10. The CIL shall use sound organizational and personnel management practices.
11. The CIL shall practice sound financial management.
12. The CIL shall maintain individual planning records for its participants.
13. The CIL shall conduct peer-evaluations.
B. PLANNING
1. Annually, the Board, in conjunction with people with disabilities and the CIL’s staff, reviews the long-range plan and modifies it as appropriate.