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

 

TO:	The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM:	Rebecca H. Cort
COMMITTEE:	EMSC-VESID
TITLE OF ITEM:	New York Title VII State Plan for Independent Living for the Period 2005, 2006 and 2007
DATE OF SUBMISSION:	April 23, 2004
PROPOSED HANDLING:	Approval
RATIONALE FOR ITEM:	Required under the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 as amended
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 2 and 4-6
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 as amended, the New York Title VII State Plan for Independent Living is presented for your approval.  The attached report summarizes the content of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).  The complete Plan is available in the Regents office for your review. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF THE NEW YORK TITLE VII STATE PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR THE PERIOD 2005, 2006 AND 2007

 

 

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

 

VESID, NYSILC and CBVH used the following models to obtain input in the formulation of the SPIL for 2005, 2006 and 2007:

 

Five public hearings were conducted at sites geographically dispersed throughout the State in late September through early November 2003. 

 

The statewide Centers Independent Living network conducted focus groups facilitated by an outline prepared by NYSILC.  The following Centers participated: Auburn, Corning, Cortland, Ithaca, Massena, Rochester, Syracuse and Watertown.  

 

Written comments were accepted from the public through November 7, 2003.  Notice placed in local media markets informed individuals of the option to submit written comments.  Comments were submitted by mail, fax and e-mail.

 

In addition to the steps taken above, NYSILC used its web site to obtain comments via the Internet. 

 

NYSILC, VESID and CBVH also reviewed and considered input received from a variety of sources during the past few years.  Sources included but were not limited to:

 

¨     Public comment made at NYSILC regularly scheduled meetings

¨     NYSILC training programs

¨     Annual 704 CIL performance reports

 

NYSILC State Plan Committee members, including representatives of VESID and CBVH, reviewed over 200 comments from public hearings and 14 written comments obtained through the process described above.  The record of public input is available at the NYSILC office upon request. 

 

The State Plan, formulated after consideration of all input, was further reviewed by the NYSILC at a regularly scheduled council meeting and adopted on February 13, 2004. 

 

Amendment of the State Plan: Summary of Required Attachments

 

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

 

¨     A description in section 4 of the composition, placement and resource plan for the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).  The Plan calls for a moderate cost-of-living increase for the operation of the NYSILC office and funds for contracted services related to a ”Housing Institute,” a “Training Academy,” and a variety of studies, needs assessments and other products.

 

¨     In section 9 there is a full description of the use of Chapter I, Part B discretionary funds. 

 

¨     The Plan also calls for the refinement of the statewide CIL staffed systems advocacy network, coordinated by NYSILC, to facilitate the achievement of community and systems change on the state and national levels.  All New York State ILCs will be offered funding opportunities through a competitive application process to coordinate local advocacy networks to address State and Federal legislative and policy initiatives to improve the independence of citizens with disabilities. NYSILC also receives discretionary funds to promote best practice exchange opportunities among the New York State network of CILs.  Furthermore, funds are made available to conduct a biannual customer satisfaction survey, biannual disability caucus and to develop grant writing and training products to promote independent living philosophy and services. 

 

¨     In section 13 the Plan focuses on increased Federal Title VII Part C resources that may become available to operate CILs through 2007. The first priority for the use of such funds is increasing the funding level of the existing Federal network of 21 CILs toward a base Federal funding level of $200,000. Once this goal is reached, unserved or underserved geographic regions of the State emerge as a priority with an emphasis first on densely populated regions of one million plus, followed by rural regions of one million and fewer residents.