Registration form
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS? Here is
important information about how our online classes work.
PLEASE NOTE
Is the class you
are interested in full? Send an email to Dawn Heinsohn
to be put on a waiting list to get into the course if any
space becomes available. Please be sure to
indicate which class you would like to participate in.
To allow access to everyone interested, please submit only
one registration per session per CIL or SILC. Additional registrations,
if submitted, will be accepted on a space available basis only.
Sending the registration form in is NOT a
guarantee that you are in the class. You will receive information
from Dawn Heinsohn at ILRU AFTER the
registration deadline has passed.
REFUND POLICY
Withdrawals, requests for refunds or requests to apply
tuition to a future course must be received in writing or
by email BEFORE the
first day of the course; otherwise no refund or credit can
be made. Registrations are non-transferable after the beginning
of the course. Only a limited number of participants can
be accepted for each course. Withdrawals prevent others from
participating.
GETTING ON BOARD! (FOR
IL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS)
This class has been filled
COURSE DATES: November 3-21, 2008
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 20, 2008
ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: October
30, 2008
PURPOSE: Participants in this three-week course
will take a close look at boards of directors of non-profit centers
for independent living (CILs) and statewide independent living
councils (SILCs). In addition to examining non-profit boards'
traditional responsibilities, participants will study challenges
that are unique to consumer-controlled organizations that adhere
to independent living principles. Topics include setting the
organization's course, building its infrastructure, and monitoring
progress.
TARGET AUDIENCE: This course will be
particularly relevant to members of boards of directors and administrative
staff of all CILs and SILCs which have established non-profit
status.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able
to discuss the roles and responsibilities of boards of directors,
recognize and address conflicts which may arise between IL philosophy
and services and analyze the impact of funding sources on day-to-day
activities.
FORMAT: Activities assigned on each of the
15 days may include reading assignments, online group discussions,
scenario analysis and dialogue about actual day-to-day problems
encountered in overseeing services and assistance in a center.
Participants will work with an online manual and will interact
via the Internet. Additional readings will be recommended, but
not required, to enhance participants' understanding of the topic.
THE INSTRUCTOR: Bob Michaels is a long-time
consultant and trainer for the independent living field. Michaels
provides considerable training and technical assistance to the
field through the IL NET program.
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CHOOSE, GET, KEEP INTEGRATED
COMMUNITY HOUSING
This class has been filled
COURSE DATES: January 5-30, 2009
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: December 8, 2008
ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: January 5,
2009
PURPOSE: The focus of this course is how to
assist individuals who are transitioning out of nursing facilities
to access integrated, accessible, affordable housing in the community.
Participants will be guided through the entire transition process
of securing and relocating to housing, including planning a move,
locating housing, and keeping the housing over the long term.
The course will supply a number of checklists, fact sheets, and
charts as tools to assist in securing and keeping housing.
TARGET AUDIENCE:IL Center Staff,
especially Housing Specialists, and Transition Facilitators
who assist with securing housing.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Participants
will leave the class with
five new ideas about how to help people move. They will have
a comprehensive set of tools to use as they help consumers
(or themselves) make decisions about moving. Upon
completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- assess housing needs and preferences;
- create a personalized and realistic Housing
Transition Plan;
- support individuals as they locate and choose
housing that is appropriate to meet their needs and preferences;
- describe a variety of supports needed to
successfully maintain housing; and
- execute the Housing Transition Plan for a
successful move
FORMAT: Participants will read assignments
in the online course manual, complete exercises assigned by the
instructor, and interact daily with the instructor and other
students in an online discussion forum.
THE INSTRUCTORS: Ann V. Denton, M.Ed.,
Director of Housing; Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. is
a recognized expert on homelessness, mental illness, system change
and housing issues for people with mental and other disabilities.
She provides technical assistance to states and communities in
many areas, including the development of Continuum of Care plans,
strategic planning, project development and monitoring, prioritization,
service coordination and operation of housing and service systems.
Ms. Denton’s areas of expertise include permanent supportive
housing, discharge planning, prevention strategies, and access
to mainstream services. At AHP, Ms. Denton directs projects
and activities related to housing, homelessness, mental health,
system change, and substance abuse services. Training and technical
assistance is provided to states, communities, advocates, and
providers in the areas of homelessness (including Continuum
of Care planning and operation), housing, supports and services,
advocacy, program implementation and operation, planning, resource
development, and strategic partnerships through contracts managed
by Ms. Denton. She also provides consultation to states and
communities regarding homelessness, particularly chronic homelessness.
At the state level, Ms. Denton currently serves as a member
of the Texas Interagency Council on Homelessness and as a member
of the State of Texas Policy Academy team focused on Access
to Mainstream Services for People who are Chronically Homeless.
Ms. Denton also serves on the State Promoting Independence
Advisory Committee (Olmstead). As chair of the Housing Committee,
she helped secure a $2 million per year commitment of housing
assistance funds. She served as the Director of Housing and
Residential Services for the Texas Department of Mental Health
and Mental Retardation for 10 years, developing a statewide
supported housing/housing first program.
Sarah André,
M.A., M.S. CRP has 13 years
experience in the affordable housing and community development
field. She has worked for AHP, Diana McIver & Associates
and The Enterprise Foundation and has held various positions
in which she provided training and technical assistance to nonprofits
on a variety of topics including Fair Housing, Universal Design, “Development
101,” funding for housing projects and the role of non
profit boards. Ms. André has significant experience with
affordable housing finance and project management, including
the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, SHP, HOME, CDBG, PATH and
CHAB programs. Recent projects include a 209-unit mixed-use,
mixed income high rise featuring Low Income Housing Tax Credits
and public housing vouchers to serve 50 homeless tenants and
the Juniper-Olive Historic District, an 18-unit affordable housing
development which included new construction, green building,
and historic rehabilitation. As a result of her work, nonprofit
organizations have received more than $13 million in funds for
affordable housing and more than 300 units have been created.
Ms. André is also the author of numerous studies related
to affordable housing, topics for these studies include impediments
to Fair Housing, housing resources for persons with disabilities,
project feasibility, and affordable housing in transit oriented
design districts.
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ORIENTATION FOR NEW PERSONNEL
This class has been filled
COURSE DATES: February 2-27, 2009
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 19, 2009
ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: January 29, 2009
PURPOSE: This four-week course
is designed to give new employees and board members a solid understanding
of the principles and philosophy of independent living. Topics
include the history of independent living, consumer control,
cross-disability issues, equal access, peer relationships, and
self advocacy. Students also discuss the implication of the federal
standards and indicators (the Rehab Act and regulations) on the
philosophy.
TARGET AUDIENCE: New staff, as well as board
members. This is a beginning level course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion, participants
will be able to define and understand the elements of the IL
philosophy, describe the impact of the federal requirements on
day-to-day activities in the center, and apply IL principles
and philosophy to real life situations.
FORMAT: Activities assigned on each of the
20 days may include reading assignments, online group discussions,
analyses of scenarios, and addressing actual day-to-day problems
encountered when applying the philosophy in a center. Participants
will devote an average of 3-5 hours per week to assignments and
activities.
THE INSTRUCTOR: Bob Michaels is a long-time
consultant and trainer for the independent living field. Michaels
provides considerable training and technical assistance to the
field through the IL NET program.
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SMOOTH AS SILC: AN INTRODUCTION TO
STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCILS
This class has been filled
COURSE DATES: April 6-24, 2009
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 23, 2009
ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: April
2, 2009
PURPOSE: This three-week distance learning course
orients members of SILCs to the laws and regulations that guide
their daily activities. In addition, it applies the principles
and philosophy of independent living to situations commonly encountered
by statewide independent living councils.
TARGET AUDIENCE: SILC
executives, staff, and members. CIL staff and board may benefit
as well. This is a beginning to intermediate level course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion, participants
will be able to:
- Describe how the SILC fits
into independent living, the Rehabilitation Act (“Rehab
Act”), and the Workforce Investment Act.
- Identify
the laws and regulations governing SILCs.
- Explain
the history and philosophy of Independent Living and how to
integrate the principles into daily activities and practices.
- Describe
the composition and duties of the SILC.
- Describe
how SILC activities are funded.
- Discuss
creative and innovate approaches to address the SILC mission.
- Describe
how to use the State Plan to organize and plan for change.
The course utilizes a participant text
and the Internet for participant interaction. The text is
designed to provide sufficient background information to make it
possible for all students to assume an active role in online discussions.
The centerpiece of the text will be a series of scenarios
and exercises, most of which will be assigned for discussion and
debate. Additional readings and videotapes will be recommended,
but not required, to enhance the participant's understanding
of the topic.
FORMAT: The course spans three
weeks and uses a Web site to engage participants in discussion
of the content and issues. The instructor is available to lead
the forum on the Web site and for technical assistance throughout
the course. Participants are asked to read the assignments, review
scenarios that address course content, and engage in the online
class message forums. Participants will devote an average of
3-5 hours per week to assignments and activities.
THE INSTRUCTOR: Bob Michaels is a long-time
consultant and trainer for the independent living field. Michaels
provides considerable training and technical assistance to the
field through the IL NET program.
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MEDICAID AND NEW COMMUNITY
OPTIONS
This class has been filled
Updated date change: COURSE
DATES: July 13-31,
2009
Updated date change: REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 24, 2009
Updated date change: ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: July
9, 2009
PURPOSE: Participants will be able to discuss
the basic structure of the Medicaid program including eligibility,
state plan services, and waivers. Participants will be able to
describe new options made available to states by the Deficit
Reduction Act (DRA) of 2006. At the conclusion of the Medicaid
portion of the course, participants will use the knowledge gained
from all three courses in the series, to advocate more effectively
for community services. TARGET AUDIENCE: Center
and SILC staff, managers, and executives, as well as board members.
This is an intermediate to advanced level course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion,
participants will be able to discuss and provide examples of
Medicaid State Plan services, eligibility groups, and home and
community-based waiver services in their own state. They will
be able to describe new options available through the Deficit
Reduction Act (DRA). They will also demonstrate the concepts
acquired for the earlier courses by developing an advocacy action
plan.
FORMAT: Assignments will be given for each
of the 15 days. Participants will receive a manual (via the Internet)
and will interact via the Internet. Discussion questions and
exercises will be posted on the Web site. Participants will devote
an average of 3-5 hours per week to assignments and activities.
THE INSTRUCTOR: Suzanne Crisp,
Director of Program Design and Implementation for the National
Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services,manages
and oversees aspects of design and implementation for programs
promoting participant-directed home and community-based services.
She assesses existing programs to determine compliance and efficiency,
develops products to enhance understanding of the implementation
of participant direction, performs diagnostic program reviews,
and attends national conferences, meetings, and panels representing
Boston College. Also, serving as the lead coordinator between Boston
College and the Administration on Aging’s Nursing Home Diversion
grants, she provides technical assistance to the Veteran’s
Administration Home and Community Based Services initiative. In
the areas specific to participant direction, she coordinates with
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to examine Federal
authorities to create Medicaid programs, manages efforts under
the Money Follows the Person initiative and assists program staff
to develop quality management strategies. Formerly, a Senior Research
Leader with Thomson Reuters, she provided extensive technical assistance
to state Medicaid programs on all program design facets at the
direction of CMS. She also served as a State Liaison Mentor
for the Cash and Counseling National Program Office and assisted
the Administration on Aging with information and research to develop
quality self direction strategies for the Federally funded National
Community Living Incentive. She joined Thomson Reuters in 2003
following a detail to CMS’ Central office where she served
in the capacity of Director of Integrated Services. During
her detail to CMS she participated in the development of the Federal
Independence Plus initiative. She also served as the Assistant
Director to the Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services where
she implemented and managed the first Cash and Counseling National
Demonstration and Evaluation Project, managed three home and community
waiver programs, and oversaw the Older Americans Act, Ombudsman
and Adult Protective Services Programs. As a result, Ms. Crisp
has unique expertise in participant direction given her wealth
of experience in this area both at the state and Federal levels. She
has a degree in Social Work from Arkansas State University.
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Implementing Olmstead: ABCs of Nursing
Home Transition
COURSE DATES: June 8-26, 2009
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 20, 2009
ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: June
4, 2009
Purpose: During this three-week distance
course, participants will learn about how the ADA formed the
basis for the Olmstead Decision and the use of the Olmstead
Decision to facilitate transition from nursing homes to community-based
living. Participants will learn to identify the essential steps
in the transition process, barriers to successful transition,
and strategies to address the barriers.
Target Audience: IL Center Staff, especially
Transition Facilitators who assist individuals in moving to community-based
living.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of
this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe how the ADA formed
the basis for the Olmstead Decision and the use of the Olmstead
Decision to facilitate transition for nursing homes.
- Identify
the essential steps in the transition process and their interrelatedness.
- Explain
how the principles of consumer direction, self-determination
and consumer control, critical for a person moving into the
community from institutional care, may be considered when an
individual has a history of psychiatric disabilities or substance
abuse.
- Identify barriers to
successful transition and effective strategies to address these
barriers including accessing community supports in formal and
informal systems.
Instructors:
Helen Roth has been involved in the field
of disability ever since she had quadriplegic polio at the
age of 12 but it wasn't until she attended a DREDF training
in 1979 on the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act that her consciousness and work became focused on independent
living philosophy and disability rights. At that time, she
organized a group of people with disabilities to advocate concerning
disability issues and to raise public awareness of disability
rights in her home town. Six years later she led this group
of volunteers to become OPTIONS for Independence, the Northern
Utah Center for Independent Living (CIL) where she served as
Director for 15 years. She then joined with other CIL Directors
in Utah to form the Association for Independent Living of Utah
to advocate on a state level. A natural progression carried
her to leadership on a national level as Vice President, Secretary,
Regional Representative, and Chair of the Personal Assistance
Services Committee for the National Council on Independent
Living (NCIL) as well as the Board Chair for the American Association
of People with Disabilities (AAPD).
As a consequence of these extraordinary opportunities, Helen
has learned a great deal about advocacy, administration, legislation,
customized programming, consumer empowerment, and the whole
field of disability. She has presented many workshops and other
learning sessions as well as taught online courses and served
as a mentor for many consumers. She has always been highly
rated as a teacher and mentor by those participating in whatever
type of learning session she is undertaking.
Richard Petty is Program Director at Independent
Living Research Utilization (ILRU). Since 1998 he has directed
the IL NET, a national project which provides training and
technical assistance to over 500 centers for independent living
and 56 statewide independent living councils - organizations
which foster community independence for people with disabilities.
Since 2001 Petty has directed the ILRU Community Living Partnership
which provides training, publications, and implementation support
to CMS Real Choice Systems Change grantees operating innovative
home- and community-based services programs. Petty is conducting
research on the experiences of those with disabilities affected
by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Previously, Petty served for
10 years as Executive Director of Mainstream, an advocacy‑oriented
center for independent living in Little Rock, Arkansas. He
holds an MBA degree from the C. T. Bauer School of Business
at the University of Houston. He writes about and conducts
training and workshops on application of evidence-based practices
in community programs, advocacy and lobbying, grassroots action
for change, transition from nursing facilities to the community,
and leading organizations in transformational change.
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FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS
COURSE DATES: August 3-21, 2009
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 15, 2009
ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: July
30, 2009
PURPOSE: This three-week distance learning
course is designed to help CIL and SILC leaders manage organization
finances more effectively.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Center and SILC executives,
financial managers, and other managers, as well as board members.
This is an intermediate level course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion, participants
will be able to identify the key components of sound fiscal management,
develop effective fiscal reports, prepare and deliver agency
and program budgets, identify fiscal risk management controls,
and define appropriate roles for board and staff financial oversight.
FORMAT: Participants will read assignments
in the online course manual, complete exercises assigned by the
instructor, and interact daily with the instructor and other
students in an online discussion forum. Students will have an
opportunity to learn about and share best practices. Students
can ask and receive responses to their questions about sound
financial management from the instructor and their peers.
THE INSTRUCTOR: Melissa Hall Glisson is the
former executive director of ARISE, Inc., a center for independent
living in Syracuse, New York. During her seven years at ARISE,
Glisson directed the creation and growth of the CIL's supported
employment, universal design, and integrated recreation programs
while growing the agency's annual budget to more than $5 million.
Glisson is currently president of Media, Marketing and Money--a
consulting agency for nonprofit agencies around the country.
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