Expand State-wideness of Centers for Independent Living

West Virginia's Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are currently serving people with disabilities in 27 counties with a combination of federal grants and grants (from federal funds) from the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC). Four CILs are operated by 3 non-profit corporations in West Virginia. See attached map of counties served by a CIL [PDF format].

One grant from the SILC funds a virtual, Web-based CIL at www.mtstcil.org to help get services to unserved areas. While that site now averages 20,000 visits or hits per month, services that can be provided on-line are limited.

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

Additionally, each CIL provides a variety of other services, identified by their boards of directors, to meet the needs of people with disabilities in their communities.

One program, the Community Living Services Program (CLSP), is operated with federal and state independent living funds and is now available to West Virginians with disabilities in all 55 counties, as of October 1, 2006. The CLSP has a sizeable waiting list that is growing every day and will grow even more rapidly now that the CILs have expanded the program statewide. To learn more about this program visit the Community Living Services Program page including list of counties served and printable map [PDF format].

Over 175,000 West Virginians with disabilities, do not have full access to the services of a CIL.

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

For more information contact Ann Watts McDaniel, WV Statewide Independent Living Council 304-766-4624 (office) or 304-617-1417 (cell) or email: 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.