A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 333

Independent Living Services Program¹

(CFDA No. 84.169)

¹Formerly Comprehensive Services for Independent Living

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Part B, Chapter 1 of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, P.L. 93-112, as amended (29 U.S.C. 796e-796e-2) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: The purpose of the State Independent Living Services (SILS) program is to promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities into the mainstream of American society. The program provides financial assistance to States for providing, expanding, and improving independent living services; provides financial assistance to develop and support Statewide networks of centers for program and independent living; and provides financial assistance to States for improving working relationships among program and entities providing assistance to individuals with disabilities.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1985	$ 5,000,000
1986	10,527,000
1987	11,830,000
1988	12,310,000
1989	12,678,000
1990	12,938,000
1991	13,619,000
1992	14,200,000
1993	15,376,000
1994	36,818,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Performance Indicators

Uniform standards and indicators are not feasible for this program, since funding priorities vary widely as a function of differences in the conditions addressed by State plans.

Population Targeting

In FY 1992, funds under this program were distributed to 79 State agencies, including both general agencies and separate agencies for persons who are blind. The total of individuals with significant disabilities served, reported by 70 agencies, was 17,327. Some accomplishments in 1992, in addition to direct services, include the development and expansion of networks of trained peer counselors to provide outreach, information and referral, and counseling; a systematic program of de-institutionalization and prevention of institutionalization of individuals with significant disabilities by the provision of community-based SILS, particularly the coordination of personal care attendant services; and identifying and addressing the independent living service needs of Native Americans with significant disabilities.

Services

The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 greatly expanded the purposes for which funds can be spent under this program. Direct services are only one of seven alternatives. In addition, section 7 (29), and (30), Definitions, replaced the list of services in old section 702(b).

Beginning with FY 1994, each State must, jointly with the Statewide Independent Living Council, provide in its State plan for the provision of SILS and describe the extent and scope of independent living services to be provided. These services can be provided either directly by the State agency or through arrangements with centers for independent living and other providers.

Program Administration

For FY 1993, the requirement that less than 20 percent of the funds received by a State under this program be used to make grants to local public agencies and private nonprofit organizations was dropped. Beginning with FY 1994, decisions regarding priorities for use of funds received through this program must be reflected in the State plan for Chapter 1 of Title VII of the Act. This plan is to be jointly developed by the director of the designated State Unit and chairperson of the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Funds are allocated to States on a population basis, except that no State may receive less than the total amount received in FY 1992, and each State is provided a minimum allotment of $275,000 or as close to this amount as funds allow. The Act requires the Commissioner to use one percent of the aggregate funds appropriated for programs authorized in Titles II, III, VI, VII, and VIII of the Act for minority outreach activities as specified in Section 21 of the Act. In FY 1993, one percent of the funds appropriated for this program were reserved for this purpose. Section 21 also requires applicants for funds under most titles of the Act to demonstrate how they will address the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Section 20 of the Act requires all programs under the Act to advise individuals receiving or seeking to receive program services or, as appropriate, such individuals' parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representative, of the availability and purposes of the Client Assistance program, under section 112 of the Act, including information on the means of seeking assistance under such program.

Management Improvement Strategies

Title VII of the Act received major substantive revisions in the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. All program management efforts for FY 1993 were directed toward implementing the Amendments.