2005 Legislative Budget Priorities

Independent Living Act

Maintain or increase current level of funding in the Independent Living Act which is current $24,000.

Background:

Approximately 200,000 West Virginia citizens with disabilities do not have access to services provided by centers for independent living (CILs). The WV Division of Rehabilitation Services operated an independent living program with a long waiting list for many years. In 2003, the WVDRS developed a contract with the WV Centers for Independent Living (WVCIL) to provide independent living services to individuals with disabilities in 27 counties of West Virginia. The WVCIL provided independent living services to 233 individuals with disabilities in 2003-2004 at a cost of $396,692. In recognition of a funding level inadequate to operate a statewide program, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living support maintaining this line item and urge legislators to appropriate additional funds as the State's economy improves.

Mountain State Centers for Independent Living will monitor the activities of the Legislature for any other issues that may arise that impact the lives of people with disabilities in West Virginia.

For more information on our Legislative agenda or MTSTCIL, please contact the Mountain State Center nearest you.

Independent Living Funding

Mountain State Centers for Independent Living supports the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council's (the Council) initiative to maintain the line item and an increase in funding in the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services budget for independent living services. Independent Living (IL) services are critical to ensure West Virginians with disabilities have access to the resources and supports they need to live self-determined, independent lives in their own homes and communities.

Uses of the funding for FY 04:

Half, combined with federal funds, to the centers for independent living (CILs) for the Independent Living Services Program to provide:
- Home Modifications
- Assistive Devices and Equipment
- Communication Services
- And other IL services that enable individuals to live independently
Half, combined with other funding, for a pilot project to establish a community network of resources and supports necessary to transition individuals with disabilities out of nursing homes and other institutions into the community.

Uses of the funding for FY 05:

95%, combined with federal funds, to the centers for independent living (CILs) for the Independent Living Services Program.
5% to the Council to support administrative costs and IL projects.

IL services enable West Virginians with disabilities to return to or remain in their own homes and communities and are critical to West Virginia's compliance with the most integrated setting provision set forth in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Olmstead Decision.

The $24,000 line item (reduced to $22,680 by the Governor's 5.5% cut), needs to be restored and increased to address waiting lists maintained by the CILs currently totaling nearly 440 people. In addition to the waiting lists, twenty-eight counties, approximately 200,000 West Virginians with disabilities, do not have full access to the services of a CIL. The four CILs serve 27 West Virginia counties with federal funds to provide:

Individual and Systems Advocacy
Independent Living Skills Training
Peer Support/Peer Counseling
Information & Referral
And other IL services and supports

Existing independent living programs are federally funded and are at the maximum amount provided under the federal funding formulas. Additional resources are necessary to ensure all West Virginians have access to the services of a CIL.

For more information, contact the WV Statewide Independent Living Council 304-766-4624.

Pursuant to the WV Independent Living Act of 2001, independent living services funding is governed by the State Plan for Independent Living and is monitored by the WV Statewide Independent Living Council.

Updated: February 14, 2005