Meeting of the Board of Regents | May 2010

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:
FROM:	Rebecca H. Cort
SUBJECT:	New York Title VII State Plan for Independent Living 2011, 2012 and 2013.
DATE:	April 29, 2010
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 2 and 4 - 6
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

Issue for Approval (Consent Agenda)

The Board of Regents approval of the New York Title VII State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

 

Reason for Consideration

 

Required under the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 as amended.

             

Proposed Handling

              This issue will come before the Full Board for approval at its May 2010 meeting.

Procedural History

The Rehabilitation Act of 1998, as amended, requires that a jointly developed plan for the operation of a network of Federally funded Centers for Independent Living (CIL) and the delivery of independent living services be developed every three years by the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) and the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC). 

Background Information

The New York Title VII State Plan for Independent Living identifies goals, priorities and objectives for each of the three partners.  It was last presented to the Regents for approval in May 2007.  The attached summarizes the content of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).  The complete SPIL is available in the Regents Office for your review.

Recommendation

The Board of Regents approve the New York Title VII State Plan for Independent Living.

Timetable for Implementation

              The new SPIL will take effect October 1, 2010 for FFY 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Attachment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF THE NEW YORK TITLE VII STATE PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT

LIVING FOR THE PERIOD 2011, 2012 AND 2013

State Plan Process:

              The Rehabilitation Act, as amended, requires that a jointly developed plan for the operation of a network of Federally funded Centers for Independent Living (CIL) and the delivery of independent living services is prepared every three years by the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) and the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC).  The New York Title VII State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) identifies goals, priorities and objectives for each of the three partners.  The SPIL may be amended on an annual basis if significant changes are necessary.

              The SPIL consists of several and attachments developed jointly by VESID, CBVH and NYSILC that are required by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).  The framework of the SPIL is determined by the most recent guidance provided by RSA.

              VESID, CBVH and NYSILC used the following means to obtain input in the formulation of the SPIL for 2011, 2012 and 2013:

              Five public hearings were conducted at sites geographically dispersed throughout the State, including two hearings at large scale disability-related conferences, during the months of October and November 2009.  NYSILC’s State Plan Committee grouped hundreds of comments received according to topic to formulate a preliminary draft SPIL. 

              The statewide CIL network was also offered an opportunity to conduct focus groups facilitated by the same outline used in the forums. Three CIL-specific forums were conducted in this manner.

              The SPIL formulation process included the acceptance of written comments on a preliminary draft SPIL which were accepted from the public during November and early December 2009. These comments were used to prioritize initiatives and funding support levels in a final draft released for a vote of the NYSILC membership on February 26, 2010.   

              In addition, the NYSILC web site was utilized to obtain comments via the Internet.  Over 400 comments were received on the preliminary draft SPIL using this modality.

              VESID, CBVH and NYSILC also reviewed and considered input received from a variety of alternate sources over the past several years.  These sources included but were not limited to:

 

• Public comment made at NYSILC regularly scheduled meetings;
• NYSILC training programs; and
• Annual Federal CIL 704 performance reports.

 

NYSILC State Plan Committee members included voting members of NYSILC, representatives of the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) and representatives of VESID and CBVH.  The record of public input is available at the NYSILC office upon request.

The State Plan was further reviewed and amended by the NYSILC at a regularly scheduled Council meeting and adopted on March 26, 2010.

Adoption of the State Plan: Summary of Required Attachments

              The State Plan attachments describe VESID, CBVH and NYSILC plans and activities in a number of required areas.  Highlights of the Plan include:

 

Objective 1:         At a total SPIL cost of $1,244,368 ($415,456 Year 1, $415,456 Year 2, $413,456 Year 3), support the basic operation of NYSILC each year through September 30, 2013.  (See Objectives 8, 9 and 10).

 

Objective 2:         At a total SPIL cost of $312,500 ($103,500 Year 1, $103,500 Year 2, $105,500 Year 3), CBVH will provide services on a fee-for-service basis to eligible individuals who are legally blind to enable them to meet independent living goals each year through September 30, 2013.

 

Objective 3:         At a total SPIL cost of $1,344,000 ($448,000 each year), support a Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN) by developing local partnerships and coalitions and engaging in community education about issues impacting people with disabilities resulting in increased visibility about Independent Living (IL) and at least one significant statewide system change each year through September 30, 2013.

 

Objective 4:         At a total SPIL cost of $37,500 ($12,500 each year), support direct consulting services and coaching to the Statewide network of centers each year through September 30, 2013.

 

Objective 5:         At no direct cost to the SPIL, support youth leadership by providing sponsorships for youth to attend and participate in IL conference and national disability youth leadership trainings each year through September 30, 2013.

                            

Objective 6:         At a total SPIL cost of $15,000 ($5,000 each year), support an annual training opportunity to promote the implementation of the Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion waiver in a manner consistent with the IL philosophy, including best practices and technical assistance, each year through September 30, 2013.

 

Objective 7:         At a total SPIL cost of $60,000 ($20,000 each year), support a statewide consumer-controlled, non-partisan Get Out The Vote (GOTV) network for voters with disabilities to promote voter registration, voter education and use of the new accessible voting systems each year through September 30, 2013.

 

Objective 8:         As incorporated in the NYSILC operations budget, support statewide strategic media services and promote public awareness about IL in multiple media markets each year through September 30, 2013.

 

Objective 9:         As incorporated in the NYSILC operations budget, support a statewide consumer satisfaction survey for the CIL network by September 30, 2011.

 

Objective 10:      As incorporated in the NYSILC operations budget, support a consultant to establish an outcome-based evaluation SPIL plan that the Council can implement, including its use and development towards the next SPIL, each year through September 30, 2013.

 

Objective 11:      At a total SPIL cost of $360,000 ($120,000 each year), provide four $30,000 capacity building grant opportunities for three years in a competitive Request For Proposal (RFP) to Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Service Centers for Independent Living (SCILs) each year through September 30, 2013.