What Are Centers for Independent Living?
Iowa currently has seven centers for independent living (CILs). CILs are independent, consumer-driven, cross-disability, community-based nonprofit organizations committed to Independent Living principles. They are not residential facilities—CILs actually work to eliminate the institutional and facility bias in long term supports for people with disabilities. CILs are unique in that people with disabilities must comprise over half of their governing boards and over half of the CIL staff. The federal government certifies centers in compliance with the Independent Living principles and standards in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which makes them eligible for federal funding (though federal funding is currently insufficient to support all eligible centers). Federal standards require CILs to be responsive to their local communities, to provide their services to anyone regardless of their disability type, to work with consumers to achieve their goals, and to manage their resources in compliance with the Rehab Act.
All centers must provide the “core” services: information and referral, peer support, independent living skills development, and individual and systems advocacy. The mandate for systems advocacy requires that centers engage in grassroots efforts to change the systems that affect the lives of people with disabilities. Examples include working with local partners in the educational and workforce systems to improve supports for young people entering the world of work, encouraging local businesses to remove physical barriers, or promoting the availability of sign language interpreters in the local hospital. At the State level, CILs work to promote compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmstead decision, which stated that people with disabilities who need long term care are entitled to receive it in the least restrictive environment consistent with their needs.
Some federal funding under the Rehab Act flows directly to CILs. Other federal funding, commonly known as Part B, can be distributed for independent living services if States set up a SILC that meets the requirements of the Act. The SILC is required, under the Rehab Act, to collaborate with state rehabilitation agencies designated by the Governor (known as “DSUs”, or “Designated State Units”) in the development of a three-year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). The SPIL identifies the needs for independent living (IL) services, and specifies how resources for IL, including Part B monies, should be allocated. SILCs are also to find ways to support and strengthen the State’s network of IL services, and to take steps to enhance coordination in their delivery.
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Centers for Independent Living in Iowa
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Northeast Iowa Center for Independent Living
(NEICIL)
Waterloo, Iowa
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| Ken Schuman, Executive Director, Northeast Iowa Center for Independent Living, Waterloo |
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Central Iowa Center for Independent Living
(CICIL)
Des Moines, Iowa
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| Bob Jeppesen, Executive Director, Central Iowa Center for Independent Living, Des Moines |
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Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor
Center for Independent Living
(A2I)
Iowa City, Iowa
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| Scott Gill, Executive Director, A2I, Iowa City |
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381 East College Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Office: 319-338-3870 or Toll-Free 1-866-338-4544
TTY: Currently not available.
Fax: 319-354-1799
E-Mail: scottg@theconnercenter.org
Executive Director: Scott Gill
Website: www.access2independence.org
Counties Served: Benton, Cedar, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Washington
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Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living
(IICIL)
Rock Island, Illinois
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| Liz Sherwin, Executive Director, Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living, Rock Island, Illinois |
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League of Human Dignity
South West Iowa Center for Independent Living
(SWICIL)
Council Bluffs, Iowa
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| Carrie England, Center Director, South West Iowa Center for Independent Living, Council Bluffs |
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South Central Iowa Center for Independent Living
(SCICIL)
Oskaloosa, Iowa
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| Deb Philpot, Executive Director, South Central Iowa Center for Independent Living, Oskaloosa |
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117-1st Avenue West, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
Office: 641-672-1867 or 800-651-7911
TTY: Use Relay Iowa
Fax: 641-672-1867
E-Mail: brookie43@gmail.com
Executive Director: Deb Philpot
Counties Served: Mahaska, Monroe, Appanoose
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Three Rivers Independent Living Center
(TRILC)
Sioux City, Iowa
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| Doug Moravek, Executive Director, Three Rivers Independent Living Center, Sioux City |
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520 Nebraska Street, Suite 324, Sioux City, Iowa 51101
Office: 712-255-1065
TTY: 712-255-1065
Fax: 712-255-7712
E-Mail: director1@trilc.org
Executive Director: Doug Moravek
Website: http://www.trilc.org/
Counties Served: Woodbury
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