VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF

CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

Advocating for the integration and inclusion of

people with disabilities into all aspects of society

Legislative Agenda

2008 General Assembly Session

· Increase the self-sufficiency of people with disabilities by expanding independent living services provided by Centers for Independent Living. $1,590,000 is needed to expand independent living services that will prevent people from being institutionalized. Funds would provide services for people with disabilities who are trying to avoid placement in nursing homes and other institutions. People with disabilities need supportive services, accessible affordable housing, information, and advocacy to remain in the community.

· Serve 50 additional people with Department of Rehabilitative Services personal assistance services. $950,000 is needed to serve 50 people.

· Support funding needed to implement Virginia’s Money Follows the Person demonstration project including one time transition expenses, assistive technology, environmental modifications, transition coordination and consumer directed supported employment.

· Reduce the waiting lists for the Medicaid Developmental Disabilities Waiver and the Mental Retardation Waiver. Provide funding for an additional 300 people to receive DD Waiver services and an additional 1,600 people to receive MR Waiver services in the biennium.

· Increase the Medicaid Developmental Disabilities case management rate that is now $175.40 to the same rate as Mental Health and Mental Retardation case management that is now $326.50.

· Increase Medicaid personal care, respite and companion provider rates.

· Maintain Virginia's current protections for students with disabilities and regulatory requirements for their education.

· Support legislation that will improve services for persons with brain injury, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and sensory disabilities.

VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

Centers for Independent Living are consumer controlled, community based, cross disability, nonresidential, non profit organizations that provide independent living services including information, peer counseling, advocacy and skills training.

Access Independence – Winchester u Appalachian Independence Center – Abingdon u Blue Ridge Independent Living Center – Roanoke u Clinch Independent Living Services – Grundy u disAbility Resource Center – Fredericksburg u Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living – Exmore u Endependence Center, Inc. – Norfolk u Endependence Center of Northern Virginia – Arlington u Independence Empowerment Center – Manassas u Independence Resource Center – Charlottesville u Junction Center for Independent Living – Norton u Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living – Lynchburg u Peninsula Center for Independent Living – Hampton u Piedmont Independent Living Center – Danville u Resources for Independent Living – Richmond u Valley Associates for Independent Living – Harrisonburg

10/18/2007