INTRODUCTION
The
New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) is looking for feedback on
the attached draft contents for the significant sections proposed in the New
York Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) 2008-2010. Please submit your
comments to NYSILC in one of the following ways:
·
Email, bradw@nysilc.org.
·
Website, www.nysilc.org.
Click on the link for “SPIL comments.”
·
Fax, (518) 427-1139.
·
US Mail: NYSILC, 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 101, Albany,
NY 12210.
If
you have any questions, contact the NYSILC office at (518) 427-1060 Voice and
TTY, (518) 427-1139 Fax, or nysilc@nysilc.org.
All comments
on the draft content of the NY SPIL 2008-2010 should be received by end of
business day (5pm) on Thursday, November 30, 2006.
DRAFT
CONTENT BASED ON PUBLIC INPUT
Section
1:
Purpose of the SPIL under Chapter 1 of Title VII.
This section does not require a
detailed explanation in the plan.
Section
2:
Legal basis and state certifications.
(a)
As a condition to the receipt of financial assistance under
Chapter 1, the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC), jointly with
the Designated State Unit (DSU) is authorized to develop and sign the SPIL. The
DSU and SILC agree to administer the programs in compliance with the provisions
of the Act, all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures promulgated by
the secretary, and the provisions of this SPIL.
(b)
The Chief of Staff of the New York State Education
Department for VESID and the Commissioner of the New York State Office of
Children and Faculty Services (OCFS) for CBVH, have authority under state law
to receive, hold, and disperse federal funds made available under the SPIL.
Section
3:
Plan Submittal.
NYSILC
and the DSU used the following process to obtain input on the NYS SPIL for
2008-2010:
·
NYSILC empowered a Statewide Plan for Independent Living
(SPIL) committee to meet and make decisions about the development of materials,
modes of public input, review of public input, and subsequent SPIL draft
recommendations. The subcommittee met by telephone conference call on 5/15/06,
6/22/06, 7/27/06, 9/25/06, and 11/6/06. The SPIL committee met face-to-face on
11/10/06.
·
Materials were developed to communicate the public hearing
and input process, introduction, facilitation outline, current SPIL evaluation
plan, and NYSILC accomplishments. These materials were sent out to the
statewide network in early September 2006. The materials were
expanded and
posted on the NYSILC website in early October 2006 at the following link, http://www.nysilc.org/spil_plan_2005-7_final/NYSILC
SPIL Development 2008 20101.htm. A follow up email was also sent out to
the statewide network in early October 2006.
·
Three statewide public hearings were conducted at sites
geographically dispersed throughout the state. They were held in locations that
had never hosted a SPIL hearing. The sites included Buffalo (10/4/06), Syracuse
(10/11/06), and Long Island (10/18/06). Each hearing was held at the local
Centers for Independent Living (CILs), which were fully accessible to people
with disabilities. NYSILC also ensured that the hearings and materials were
available in alternative formats.
·
NYSILC presented and received SPIL input at four additional
conferences. This effort helped to expand feedback beyond the CIL network. The
different forums included: NYS Self-Advocacy Association Annual Conference
(9/8/06), NYS Department of Health TBI Best Practice Conference (10/12/06), New
York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) annual conference (10/31/06),
and NYSILC youth “Speak Out” forum (10/31/06). NYSILC, DSU, and NYAIL members
helped to facilitate the public input sessions.
·
In early October 2006, a follow up email was sent out to the
statewide network to encourage the facilitation of local focus group
discussions. This gave the opportunity to have more control during the public
input process. NYSILC received comments from four different CILs that conducted
their own forums.
·
The public hearing notice, distributed in early September
and October 2006, informed the public about the option to submit written comments
to NYSILC via U.S. mail, fax, or email by November 1, 2006. Individuals could
also make comments through a link on the NYSILC website, www.nysilc.org, by clicking on “SPIL Comments.”
·
NYSILC received almost 400 responses to the state plan.
Approximately 350 comments were sent by advocates from the Greater Rochester
area. The remaining comments came from individuals across the state.
·
A draft of the major sections of the proposed SPIL
2008-2010, based on public input, was sent out to the statewide network on
11/15/06. The public is encouraged to comment on the draft by 11/30/06. The
SPIL committee will review the responses and help to create a second draft of
the SPIL which will be emailed out to the NYSILC full council members in early
January 2007 to review in preparation of the full council meeting on 2/9/07.
NYSILC will review, edit, and approve a third draft on 2/9/07. This version
will be sent to the appropriate state plan partners for approval. NYSILC fully
intends on submitting the approved SPIL 2008-2010 to RSA for their review and
approval by July 1, 2007.
Section
4:
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).
4.1
Composition of the SILC.
|
(1) State
the total number of persons on the SILC. |
27 |
|
(2) State the
number of SILC members with disabilities, as defined in 34 CFR 364.4 (b), and not employed by a State
agency or a CIL. |
9* |
|
(3) Is a
representative of the DSU an ex-officio, member of the SILC? |
Yes |
|
(4) State the
number of voting members on the SILC. |
23 |
|
(5) State
the number of different disability groups (physical, mental, cognitive,
sensory, or multiple) represented by members of the SILC (up to five). |
5 |
|
(6) Is a CIL
director chosen by CIL directors within the State appointed to the SILC? |
Yes |
|
(7)Does
the SILC include representatives from other State agencies that provide
services to individuals with disabilities?
|
Yes |
|
(8) Does the
council have a voting membership that is knowledgeable about CILs and IL
services? |
Yes |
|
(9) Do
Council members provide statewide representation? |
Yes |
|
(10) Is the
Council Chairperson elected from among the voting members of the Council by
the voting members of the Council or the Governor, pursuant to section
705(b)(5) of the Act? |
Yes
|
*
Overall, 18 of 27 SILC members have a disability.
4.2
Placement of the SILC.
NYSILC
is a not-for-profit corporation that operates separately from any NYS agency.
Annual contracts between NYSILC and the DSU reflect the activity and resources
required so that NYSILC can fulfill its obligations under the SPIL, as it
conducts “the business of the state” and other relevant and appropriate
responsibilities.
4.3
Plan for the Provision of Resources to the SPIL.
NYSILC
was established to plan, implement, and evaluate the SPIL as described in
section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act, as awarded. NYSILC will maintain staff
and an office commensurate to the efforts necessary to carry out the work of
the council. NYSILC will maintain an Executive Direction Office Manager,
Administrative Assistant, and Project Coordinator. The council will outsource
bookkeeping, webmaster, media relations, technical support services, downstate
liaison and other project duties on a contractual basis.
As
a result, NYSILC will receive the following awards for its basic office operation:
2008 ($319,848), 2009 ($329,448), and 2010 ($339,326) for a three year total of
$988,617.
NYSILC
will receive additional resources above the basic operation amounts noted above
to accomplish specific projects stated in the SPIL, as objectives, under Title
VII part B (Section 9).
|
Year |
Basic Operation |
Conference |
SPIL Projects |
SSAN Admin. |
Total |
|
2008 |
319,848 |
20000 |
145,000 |
93,000 |
577,848 |
|
2009 |
329,443 |
0 |
155,000 |
93,000 |
577,443 |
|
2010 |
339,326 |
20000 |
145,000 |
93,000 |
597,326 |
NYSILC
will receive these annual resources in the form of a contract with the NYS
Education Department/VESID (DSU). CBVH (partner DSU) will contribute resources
as noted in this section and the charts provided in Section 9 for the breakdown
of Title VII, Part B funds by projects and state agency source.
NYSILC
will make an effort to recruit qualified individuals with disabilities,
including individuals from various minority groups. All NYSILC staff must have
knowledge of IL history and philosophy. The Executive Director must possess
administrative skills necessary to oversee the operation of the NYSILC office,
SPIL, and have extensive expertise in the field of disability rights, policy,
and advocacy. The NYSILC office must implement the objectives in the SPIL and
comply with Section 705 standards of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
Section
5:
Designation and Responsibilities of the State Unit(s).
5.1
Designation
The
State Unit(s) designated to receive, account for, and disburse funds, and
provide administrative support services are: New York State Education
Department/Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with
Disabilities (VESID) and the New York State Office of Children and Family
Services/Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH).
Section
6:
Staff and Staff Development.
This
section does not require a detailed explanation in the SPIL.
Section
7:
Financial Administration.
This
section does not require a detailed explanation in the SPIL.
Section
8:
State Administration of Part C Program.
This
section does not apply because NYS is a 772 State. RSA administers the Title
VII, Part C program.
Section
9:
Information on Use of Part B, Chapter 1 Funds
Based
on the review of public input, the following projects are recommended for Title
VI, Part B funds.
First,
at a cost of $15,000 a year for years one, two and three, continue funding for
an IL Training Academy to help
address the specific training needs of the statewide network. NYAIL will help
to identify the annual training needs and opportunities for the statewide
network. A portion of the resources will be used each year to provide training,
acquire training materials and/or product for the statewide network to increase
outreach practices to unserved and underserved populations. Specific
populations identified in public input included outreach to disability by
cultural diversity, along with outreach to the mental health and chemical
sensitivity communities.
Second, at a cost of
$500,000 a year for years one, two, and three, continue funding for the Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN).
The structure would change to offer funding for twenty SSAN centers at an
annual amount of $25,000 each. A committee of NYSILC, NYAIL, and VESID members
will work to define the subsequent funding process and outcome measures for
contract deliverables. At an additional cost of $93,000 a year for years one,
two, and three, continue funding for the administration of the SSAN with NYAIL.
Third,
at a cost of $10,000 a year for years one, two, and three, provide funding for Media/Public Awareness Services for
NYSILC. This need was identified at several of the forums.
Fourth,
at a cost of $10,000 a year for years one, two, and three, continue funding for
a Housing Institute. Affordable,
accessible, and integrated housing options are still a major need for New
Yorkers with disabilities. The Housing Institute will scale down its current
activities to strategically target informational, training and/or technical
assistance needs that will help to promote effective housing options.
Fifth,
at a cost of $5,000 a year for years one, two, and three, continue funding for
a Voter Education Initiative that
will help to promote knowledge about voting options and voting trends of New
Yorkers with disabilities.
Sixth,
at a cost of $20,000 a year for years one and three, continue funding to
sponsor a Statewide Annual Conference.
A successful conference was organized by NYAIL in 2006.
Seventh,
at a cost of $25,000 a year for years one, two, and three, continue funding for
a Rapid Response Emergency Technical
Assistance Service for the statewide network through NYAIL. Having a
statewide network of 37 centers increases the likelihood that about three CIL’s
will need some kind of support during the year. The state has learned that it
is far better to invest some proactive resources to preempt the emergence of
greater problems at a center.
Eighth,
at a cost of $5,000 a year for year one, provide funding for a Statewide Travel Survey and Report to
increase awareness about current travel accommodations for New Yorkers with
disabilities and the travel industry.
Ninth,
at a cost of $25,000 a year for years one, two, and three, provide funding for
a Youth Leadership Initiative. The
funds will be used to support summer stipends at CIL’s to improve “soft skills”
related to work, a statewide youth leadership forum, and support of a statewide
youth systems advocacy group dedicated to addressing systems change involving
an issue of choice each year by he youth participants. This need was largely
supported in public input.
Tenth,
at a cost of $25,000 a year for years one, two, and three, provide funding for
a Local Community Organizing Initiative.
Funds would be used to cover the cost of national and statewide trainers to
provide local grass roots advocacy groups with the skills necessary to better
organize within the SSAN. The funds would also cover necessary travel expenses
for activities. The goal would be to encourage the growth and/or expansion of
two different local grass roots community organizing groups each year. This
need was largely supported in public input.
Eleventh, at a cost of
$25,000 a year for years one, two, and three, provide funding for a Local Voter Education Initiative. This
effort will provide some initial resources to local SSAN groups to encourage
local voter education and participation, especially given the changes required
under the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Groups will attempt to be “a
part of the solution” to help implement the access provisions in HAVA and
educate people with disabilities about their increased opportunities to
exercise their fundamental right to vote “privately and independently.” This
initiative was a frequent item supported
Twelfth,
at a cost of $25,000 a year for year two, continue funding for a Statewide Consumer Satisfaction Survey.
All centers would participate. The DSU would review individual CIL results with
each center. NYSILC would issue a report that communicates the statewide
results of the survey. This activity is needed to comply with standards.
Instead of doing the survey every two years, NYSILC will adopt the practice of
conducting it in the second year of every SPIL.
Thirteenth,
at a cost of $5,000 a year for year three, conduct a follow up Statewide Technology & Equipment Needs
Survey for the statewide network of centers. The collective results would
be compared to the 2007 survey to help determine if a need was great enough to
address the issue in the next SPIL 2011-2013.
The
attached chart gives a breakdown of the Title VII, Part B funds by State agency
source.
Breakdown of Title VII, Part B Funds By Major
Funding/Project
|
NY SPIL
2008-2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title VII,
Part B Funds |
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
TOTAL |
||
|
NYSILC
Operation Budget |
|
319,848 |
329,443 |
339,326 |
988,617 |
||
|
CBVH
Unobligated Funds |
|
46,684 |
37,089 |
27,206 |
110,979 |
||
|
Statewide
Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN) |
500,000 |
500,000 |
500,000 |
1,500,000 |
|||
|
SSAN
Admin. |
|
93,000 |
93,000 |
93,000 |
279,000 |
||
|
Training
Academy |
|
|
15,000 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
45,000 |
|
|
Housing
Institute |
|
|
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
30,000 |
|
|
Annual
Conference |
20,000 |
0 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
|||
|
Statewide
Voter Education Project |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
15,000 |
|||
|
Local
Community Organizing |
|
|
25,000 |
25,0000 |
25,000 |
75,000 |
|
|
Rapid
Response TA Services |
|
25,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
75,000 |
||
|
Youth
Leadership Initiative |
|
25.000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
75,000 |
||
|
Media/Public
Awareness |
|
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
30,000 |
||
|
Local
Voter Education Initiative |
|
25,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
75,000 |
||
|
Travel
Survey |
|
5,000 |
0 |
0 |
5,000 |
||
|
Statewide
Consumer Satisfaction Survey |
|
0 |
25,000 |
0 |
25,000 |
||
|
Tech.
Needs Assessment |
|
|
0 |
0 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
|
|
ANNUAL
TOTALS |
|
|
1,124,532 |
1,124,532 |
1,124,532 |
3,373,596 |
|
Breakdown of Title VII, Part B Funds by State Agency Source
|
NY SPIL 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPIL
Activities |
VESID |
CBVH |
TOTAL |
||
|
1.
NYSILC (Basic Operation) |
270,532 |
49,316 |
319,848 |
||
|
2.
SSAN (Local Contracts) |
|
440,000 |
60,000 |
500,000 |
|
|
3.
SSAN Admin. |
|
63,000 |
30,000 |
93,000 |
|
|
4.
Conference |
10,000 |
10,000 |
20,000 |
||
|
5.
Subtotal |
783,532 |
149,316 |
932,848 |
||
|
6.
Other SPIL Projects |
145,000 |
0 |
145,000 |
|
7.
Un-obligated Funds |
0 |
46,684 |
46,684 |
|
8.
TOTAL |
928,532 |
196,000 |
1,124,532 |
For 2008, CBVH
would need to voucher $149,316 to VESID (CBVH # 5 Subtotal). VESID would then execute
a contract with NYSILC for the total amount of $577,848 (Total amounts from
rows # 1, 3, 4, and 6). VESID would follow up by executing local contracts with
CIL’s for the SSAN (Total amount from row # 2).
|
NY SPIL 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPIL
Activities |
VESID |
CBVH |
TOTAL |
||
|
1.
NYSILC (Basic Operation) |
270,532 |
58,911 |
|||