News

This year FACIL provided opportunities, grants and advocacy for the Centers for Independent Living in Florida including…

A cross disability personal attendant services program. After years of advocacy, research and pilot projects conducted by FACIL, the Florida Legislature in 2008, established the James Patrick Work Incentive Personal Assistant Services Program (JP-PAS). The JP- PAS program will provide persons with disabilities of all kinds who work, reimbursement for their personal care attendant services.

Grants to 15 CILs in Florida to foster the development of new revenue streams and fundraising strategies. The amounts that CIL raised are still coming in, but early tallies indicate that for every dollar the CILs received they raised at least two!

Seeking funding for new programs at CILs for additional services that consumers need. With Florida’s unemployment rate increasing persons with disabilities are turning to the CILs for assistance finding and keeping jobs. Disabled veterans need more assistance than the VA can provide. Young people with disabilities need assistance transitioning from their parent’s home to their own homes, from getting an allowance to getting a job. FACIL will find the funding streams to allow the CIL to expand into these areas and others as well.

Every service that FACIL provides at the statewide level and every service it provides to individual CILs fosters communication, collaboration and unity among the CILs and its partners; and in turn improves Florida as a place for people of all abilities to live, work and pursue their dreams.

CONTACT: Rachel Cornwell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fl. Assoc. of Centers for Independent Living

December 1, 2008
Tel. 850-575-6004

WITH BUDGET CUTS LOOMING FLORIDA RECIEVES
1.75 MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW GRANT MONEY
FOR THE PROJECT WITH INDUSTRY PROGRAM

The Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living won a five year federal grant that will partner businesses and persons with disabilities in 29 Florida counties.

On October 2nd, 2008 the Honorable Senator Nelson of the United States Senate informed the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL) of their award for a five year $1.75 million “Projects with Industry: Work With Me!” (PWI) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant provides for five regional Centers for Independent Living to provide job skills and career advancement training to persons with disabilities. In addition, the PWI program will work with employers to ensure job satisfaction and retention. Business Advisory Councils will be established that will guide each program and identify job availability, trends, and provide referrals. Business Advisory Councils are being formed right now.

The number of people with disabilities in the U.S. is large and growing: 49.7 million non-institutionalized people in the U.S. have disabilities, and about 21.5 million of these are working-age individuals. In 2005, the employment rate of working-age adults with disabilities was 38 percent, compared to 78 percent for adults without disabilities. But 63 percent of working-age unemployed people with disabilities would prefer to be working. Persons with disabilities who work: (1) spend money in their communities and pay taxes, (2) do not rely on taxpayers to carry the hefty burden of $40,000+ a year nursing home expenses, and (3) contribute a wide range of skills and talents to the workforce.

“Persons with disabilities contribute a diverse set of skills to employers and play a vital role in their community: they work in retail, for NASA, as attorneys, and in so many other industries. We are excited that the PWI program is creating a bridge from these motivated people to the businesses that would benefit from working with them,” stated Martina Schmid, Executive Director of FACIL.

To learn more about diversifying your workforce with persons with disabilities, including employer tax incentives and ADA consultation, or for more information about becoming a member of a Business Advisory Council, please contact:

Jacksonville: Matthew Motko, Independent Living Resource Center of NE FL (904) 399-8484
Gainesville/Ocala: William Kennedy, CIL of North Central FL (352) 378-7474
St. Petersburg/Largo: Michael Cook, Caring and Sharing CIL (727) 539-7550
Ft. Myers: Gene Bruist, CIL of Southwest FL (239) 277-1447
The Keys: Brenda Pierce, CIL of the Keys (305) 453-3491

The Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living facilitates collaboration among member Centers for Independent Living and other stakeholders, resulting in a unified statewide voice advocating for equal rights for people with disabilities.