Independent Living Funding

The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (the Council) is supporting the improvement package for a $500,000 increase in funding for independent living services submitted by the WV Division of Rehabilitation 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.

Funding

Uses of the funding for FY 05:

95%, combined with federal funds, to the centers for independent living (CILs) for the Community Living Services Program to provide:
Home Modifications
Assistive Devices and Equipment
Communication Services
And other IL services that enable individuals to live independently
5% to the Council to support administrative costs and IL projects

Statistics

Statistics of West Virginians with Disabilities and their Independent Living Service needs:

362 people with disabilities received services
25 people passed away while waiting for services
$207,441 in federal funding was utilized
$22,800 in state funding was utilized
$128,150 in additional resources were leveraged

Independence

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.

Waiting Lists

Waiting lists maintained by the CILs currently total nearly 480 people. In addition to the waiting lists, twenty-eight counties (over 175,000 West Virginians with disabilities) do not have full access to the services of a CIL. In addition to the Community Living Services Program, the four CILs use federal funds to provide the four core independent living services:

Individual and Systems Advocacy
Independent Living Skills Training
Peer Support/Peer Counseling
Information and Referral

Funding Formulas

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.

Contact

For further information, contact the Ann Meadows, WV Statewide Independent Living Council 304-766-4624 (office), 304-617-1417 (cell), or ann.meadows@wvsilc.org

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

Updated: January 19, 2006