OILP Newsletter - October 2023

OILP Newsletter - October 2023

Staffing Updates

  • Staff Retirement: Our friend and esteemed colleague, Veronica Hogan retired at the end of August. Veronica faithfully served in government for 35 years and began working in the independent living field when she served with the late Judy Heumann. Most recently, she was a Program Officer in the Office of Independent Living Programs, serving Regions 4 and 7. She will be greatly missed.  

    In the interim, individuals in regions 4 and 7 may reach out to Program Officer Jennifer Martin at jennifer.martin@acl.hhs.gov with any questions.

Reporting and Guidance 

  • Q90 Portal Open: The Q90 portal is now open at https://portal.q90.com/external/login.php. As a reminder, the FY22 CIL Programmatic Performance Report (PPR) is due in the portal by 12/31/23. The FY23 ILS PPR is due in the portal by 1/31/24. 
  • NIH designates people with disabilities as a population with health disparities: For more information, please visit this link. 
  • IL Network Contact Updates:  As a reminder, if there are any contact information changes for CIL Executive Directors, SILC Executive Directors, SILC Chairs or DSE’s, please let your Program Officer know. To verify the current name and contact information for your Program Officer, please view the OILP staff list on ACL’s website.
  • OILP Quarterly Connection Call: Thank you to all of you who recently attended our Quarterly Connection Call on August 30, 2023. The PowerPoint presentation, zoom recording and webinar transcript are available at https://www.ilru.org/training/quarterly-connection. Training was provided by our fiscal office during the call. If you were unable to attend our August call, we would encourage you to view the recording and other available materials. 
  • NIDILRR Grant Tips: NIDILRR has published a new resource, Tips for NIDILRR Grant Applicants, available in the Noteworthy from NIDILRR section of the About NIDILRR page. The tip sheet includes guidance for prospective grantees which may be helpful before and during the application process, such as how to contact NIDILRR, ways to learn about new funding opportunities, registering at grants.gov, language use in applications, and tracking applications throughout the review process. 
  • OILP Monthly Newsletters Posted on Website: The OILP newsletters from May 2023—present are now available on our website here under the heading of Office of Independent Living Programs Monthly Newsletters. 
  • FY21 CIL PPR Data Posted on Website: The FY21 CIL PPR data is now available on our website here under the heading of Annual Performance Data and Outcomes. 
  • CARES Act, CDC, and Public Health Workforce Funding Programmatic Performance Reports (PPRs): Reports were due on 3/31/2023 for Cares Act, CDC, and Public Health Workforce Funding. All PPR instruments and instructions are found under the Program Performance Reporting tab located at https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/centers-independent-living#.  No PPRs are to be submitted in Grant Solutions. We ask that if you receive these funds directly, you submit the required reporting as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. To those who have submitted, thank you! The Program Officers will follow up if they have any questions.  
  • CIL Fact Sheet Now Available on Website: The CIL fact sheet has been published on ACL’s website here. 
  • SPIL Instrument and Instructions Posted on Website:  The updated SPIL instrument and instructions are now available on our website here under the heading of Submitting State Plans for Independent Living. 
  • Audit Confirmation Requests:  Many Centers for Independent Living have reached out to request verifications for their independent fiscal audits. Please be advised that audit confirmation requests should be sent to pmsoigaudit@psc.hhs.gov. 
  • Indirect Cost Rates: For questions regarding indirect cost rates, contact information can be found at https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/asa/psc/indirect-cost-negotiations/index.html. 
  • Allowable Expenses: OILP has recently received questions from our grantees regarding allowable costs. For additional guidance, please consult 45 CFR 75.403 and contact the fiscal officer listed in your notice of award. 
  • Public Health Workforce Funding:  The Public Health Workforce funding was released for both CIL and ILS Programs in March 2022.  The guidance is available here under Guidance for ACL Programs, subheading of Public Health Workforce Grants. 

Conferences, Trainings and Technical Assistance

  • ACL/CDC Webinar: Fall Vaccinations and the Bridge Access Program: ACL recently held a webinar where attendees learned about the most recent vaccine guidance issued from CDC and the Bridge Access Program, which temporarily provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. The webinar was recorded and will be available at ACL’s YouTube page.   
  • Webinar Series on Contracting to Address Health-Related Social Needs: Beginning on October 10th, you are invited to join the Partnership to Align Social Care, the Aging and Disability Business Institute, and Camden Coalition for a webinar series offering a deep dive into leading contracting practices to effectively and efficiently address health-related social needs.  

Held on the second Tuesday of each month from October-December 2023, webinar details are below.

  • Designing the Payment Structure: A Health Plan’s Guide to Paying CBOs and CCHs for Social Care
    • October 10, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
  • Defining Core Activities: Developing an Effective Scope of Work for Contracted Partners
    • November 14, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM ET 
  • Operationalizing Contracts: Improving Contracting Implementation and Collaboration
  • ILRU IL-NET New CIL and SILC Staff Members Monthly Technical Assistance and Training, October 19, 2023; 3:00 PM ET,  Join this new monthly training and technical assistance meeting with Paula McElwee, IL-NET T&TA Center Director for Technical Assistance for new staff of CILs and SILCs. This meeting will provide you with some basic information about what a CIL and SILC is and how they operate.  Register in advance for this meeting at  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsf--qpz8tHtH877trsB_CfUukzI0wgGez
  • Webinar- Save the Date: The Power of Your SPIL on October 26, 2023 from 3:00 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time: Please join the IL-NET National Training & Technical Assistance (T&TA) Center, operated by ILRU in collaboration with NCIL, APRIL, and the University of Montana Rural Institute and RTC: Rural, helps CILs and SILCs to build strong and effective organizations. The upcoming webinar will focus on the SPIL, an important planning tool that ensures consumer control of IL programs and services in your state. As people with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living, and State Independent Living Councils prepare for their three-year plan, this training will help them:
    • Understand the SPIL instrument and updated instructions 
    • Get guidance on how the SPIL shapes funding priorities and CIL coverage areas 
    • Learn how the SPIL sets the direction of the state's IL network
      • More information coming soon! 
  • DETAC Webinar Materials Now Available: The webinar materials from the September 19th webinar entitled Let’s Commemorate the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: The Power of Independent Living and Employment are available here. 
  • SPIL Training and Technical Assistance Series: Please join IL-NET's newly launched monthly virtual meeting that offers comprehensive training and technical assistance for the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). These sessions are aimed at providing you with in-depth training on SPIL requirements, while also offering a platform to discuss how to leverage your plan to build cross-coordination and elevate the IL network in your state. By participating, you will have the opportunity to learn from experts and peers alike and gain valuable insights on how to make the most of your SPIL. Don't miss out on this opportunity and join us on the first Thursday of every month. To register or for more information, please visit this link.
  •  2023 Rural Conversation Series: 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 1:00 p.m. Eastern  

The Rural Conversation Community series is provided by ILRU's IL-NET National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Independent Living and facilitated by APRIL, the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living. There are no presenters or designated speakers in these conversations; they are an informal time and space to gather with your peers and share about current events and ask your peers questions. Captioning and ASL are provided. Bring your questions for your peers and updates on your CIL’s creative solutions and activities to share.Click this link for more information.

  • Youth Coordinator Connect Meetings: 1st Tuesday of the Month at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Join us to begin building a community of peer support and sharing for Youth Program Coordinators. Come share your experiences and tips and tricks and problem solve barriers to growing and implementing youth programs in your Center for Independent Living. Meet and learn from your colleagues throughout the country who are working towards the common goal of improving services for youth with disabilities.

Each month we will discuss a topic as it relates to youth programs and services.  These topics are chosen as a group.  We will also brainstorm solutions for barriers that may come up in your programs.Click Here for more information.

  • Advocacy Committee Meetings: 1st Wednesday of the Month at 4:00 p.m. Eastern

APRIL is a national membership organization dedicated to advancing the rights and responsibilities of people with disabilities in rural America.

APRIL is committed to an aggressive and culturally appropriate advocacy strategy tied to its Vision statement: “APRIL is the unified voice of independent living in rural America.” In furtherance of that Vision, APRIL has engaged hundreds of members and dedicated many hours aimed at developing a mission-focused system-change agenda to further the civil rights of all people with disabilities regardless of age, disability, income, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or nationality.

Equally important to us, is ensuring that young people with disabilities are integrated into all facets of program development and delivery. We are truly committed to the mantra “Nothing About Us, Without Us.”  The advocacy committee works to address APRIL’s advocacy priorities.Click Here for more information.

  • Emergency Prep Committee: 2nd Monday of the Month at 3:00 p.m. Eastern

APRIL began this committee to support CILs and SILCs in their efforts on emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. 

We are in a constant climate crisis. Disasters and emergencies are increasing in intensity and frequency. Persons with disabilities are 26% of the US population. Disabled people are disproportionately impacted by disasters and emergencies. We are 2-to-4 times more likely to die or be injured during a disaster. 

We are all first responders when disasters strike in our localities. Let’s get together to share good practices and strategies, information and resources, and peer support before, during, and after disasters and emergencies. 

Click Here for more information

Employment Opportunities

  • ACL Job Opportunity – Management and Program Analyst, GS-0343-07/09: ACL is advertising an opportunity for the position of Management and Program Analyst, GS-0343-07/09, in the Office of Independent Living Programs, Administration on Disabilities. The opportunity has full promotion potential to the GS-12. This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies. The announcement opened on October 3, 2023 and closes October 16, 2023. Individuals may apply by going to the Announcement Link on USAJOBS.  
  • FTA is Hiring: FTA is seeking candidates for several positions. The agency is introducing new programs and expanding existing initiatives following passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Open positions include environmental protection specialist (multiple locations); supervisory management analyst; supervisory transportation program specialist (Region 9/San Francisco); supervisory transportation program specialist (multiple locations); and financial analyst (multiple locations). 

See USAJobs.gov for more information and deadlines to apply.

Opportunities for Engagement

  • ACL Seeks Presenters for NIDILRR’s Second Annual Stakeholder Matchmaking Sessions: ACL’s National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is sponsoring its second year of virtual matchmaking sessions for ACL/NIDILRR stakeholders to connect with each other to share information, discuss common research interests, and ultimately find partners for research collaboration. Presenters must sign up by October 10, 2023. For more information, please visit this link. 
  • HHS Proposes to Strengthen Protections Against Discrimination Based on Disability:  Please see the information linked below and here. 
  • Fact sheet from the HHS Office for Civil Rights (available in multiple languages) 
  • Press Release: HHS Issues New Proposed Rule to Strengthen Prohibitions Against Discrimination on the Basis of a Disability in Health Care and Human Services Programs 
  • Federal Register notice: Full text of the proposed regulations
  • About the Rehabilitation Act of 1973  
  • National Accessible Transportation Accelerator Network Seeking Members: The National Accessible Transportation Accelerator Network (NATAN) is a component of the Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC), led by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and funded by the Administration on Community Living (ACL). The NATAN consists of a diverse array of organizations interested in advancing accessibility of transportation for people with disabilities and older adults. The NATAN will increase awareness and adoption of strategies to improve the accessibility of transportation systems and services. NATAN members will support the NTAC by:  
    • Disseminating information on accessible transportation strategies from NTAC to their networks.  
    • Applying the information and lessons learned from NTAC to improve accessibility of transportation nationwide. 
    • Identifying issues impacting accessibility of transportation. 
    • Serving as a resource to NTAC and other NATAN members on strategies to improve transportation accessibility. 
      To learn more or join NATAN, email atrc@acl.hss.gov   
    • Ongoing Recruitment of CILs and SILCs for COVID Test Distribution: CILs and SILCs are encouraged to participate in the Administration for Community Living and the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) which provides COVID 19 tests to be distributed freely in your communities. For more information, please contact Ed Ahern.   
    • Seeking your Public Health Work Force funding ideas! The Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP) is working to compile information on how Public Health Workforce funding is being utilized as a resource in developing programs for Centers and we would love to hear from you!  If interested, please contact Ed Ahern with your experience on new programs, promising practices, obstacles, or other issues related to using this funding.

Funding Opportunities

  • National Paralysis Resource Center Quality of Life Grant Opportunities Open: The National Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) - operated by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation- is announcing two grant funding opportunities through its 2023 second cycle Direct Effect and Priority Impact Quality of Life (QOL) grants initiatives.
  • HUD Publishes Four NOFOs under FHIP: NFHTA is pleased to share that HUD recently published four Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) on grants.gov.

Eligible national and local fair housing organizations may apply for funding under the Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI), the Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) and the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) to:  

For questions or additional information regarding the NOFOs, please email allaboutfhip@hud.gov.

Transition Services

  • New DOL Dialogue on Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Disabilities: The Department of Labor (DOL), in collaboration with partners across federal agencies, has launched an ePolicyWorks dialogue, Our Future Matters: Informing the Federal Interagency Strategy, to gather ideas and experiences that may improve policies and practices leading to a smooth transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities. These young people face unique challenges that may complicate their educational trajectories as well as their plans for school, training, and work. As a result, they may have poorer adult educational and employment outcomes than their peers without disabilities and may have difficulty achieving maximum independence. Anyone with a personal or professional interest in supporting the aspirations of youth and young adults with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their communities is invited to participate in this virtual public engagement event. Registration is free but required to submit ideas or to vote or comment on submitted ideas. 
  • Blog on Transition Aged Youth: Please see this blog post from Mathematica on employment opportunities for youth with disabilities. 
  • Center on Youth Voice Youth Choice: The Center on Youth Voice Youth Choice recently published Georgia’s Youth Mentorship Strategy: Using Mentors to Support Youth Ambassadors. The publication is available here.
    In addition, we invite you to read     Trina's story which demonstrates the impact of supported decision making.

Sharing Your Stories

  • CIL Gulf Coast in Florida Helps Disability Community After Hurricane Ian: In July 2023, the Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast (CIL Gulf Coast) hosted a community rebuilding event with over 100 individuals in attendance to help Gulf Coast residents with disabilities impacted by Hurricane Ian receive assistance including providing durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, scooters, portable ramps, shower benches, employment and lost wages assistance, home repairs, resources for insurance deductibles and much more. 
  • OILP is Seeking Success Stories: The Office of Independent Living Programs wants to highlight examples of the amazing work of our CIL and ILS colleagues! Therefore, we are asking you, our colleagues, to help us share your stories by copying your Program Officer on any press releases that are distributed. Please visit our website at https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/centers-independent-living# to view the contact list for the Office of Independent Living Programs. We appreciate your support! 
  • CILs and the Caregiving Community: We want to hear about the roles CILs are playing in the caregiving community and how you might be helping to integrate Independent Living philosophy into caregiving. If you have any resources or previous experience, please reach out to Ed Ahern. 

Resources

  • ACL Awards Three Longitudinal Data Collection Projects: ACL awarded three grants which further its mission to support people with disabilities to live in their communities. The grants, which began on September 1, 2023, continue and enhance the collection and analysis of national longitudinal trends pertaining to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) around the issues of state spending for I/DD services, residential services, and employment services. For additional information, please visit ACL’s I/DD Longitudinal Data Collection Projects webpage or email katherine.cargill-willis@acl.hhs.gov.   \
  • ACL Awards Disability Research Grants: Under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program, ACL has awarded 14 DRRP grants, with estimated annual funding ranging from $200,000 to $924,000. The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, trainings, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities. For more information about these grants, including estimated annual funding and point of contact, please visit ACL.gov.
  • Voting Accessibility Resources from ACL: To view ACL’s updated voting resource page, please visit here.  
    • CDC Resource—Places:  PLACES (Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates) has expanded its local-level data to include disability status and type for the first time. Places captures the entire U.S. population to provide county-, place-, census tract-, and ZIP Code Tabulation Area-level data about health risk behaviors (e.g., smoking), health outcomes (e.g., asthma), health status (e.g., mental health), and prevention practices (e.g., mammography use).   
      This new PLACES data provides local-level disability estimates alongside other community health data for the first time.  The latest data include 36 health-related measures, including (7) new disability measures: hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, independent living, and any disability. For more information or if you have questions, please e-mail PLACES@cdc.gov. 
    • Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities Center Resource Hub Launched: Resources and toolkits are available to serve people with disabilities before, during and after public health emergencies at this link
    • Crisis Services Map for Indingeous People:  The THRIVE suicide prevention project at Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, in partnership with the Indian Health Service (IHS), has developed an interactive Crisis Services for Indigenous People map by IHS regions in the United States. For access to the map, go to  https://www.npaihb.org/thrive/crisis-intervention-services/. This map was developed to prevent people, especially those from indigenous communities, from needing more restrictive care, such as psychiatric hospitalization or emergency detention.  
    • Federal Transit Administration Issues Dear Colleague Letter Highlighting Grant Programs to Support Real-time ADA Paratransit Service: To promote equity in public transportation, the Federal Transit Administration has issued a Dear Colleague Letter to highlight FTA grant programs that can be used to provide paratransit service to eligible riders on a real-time basis and/or allow for intermediate stops.  
    • U.S. Department of Education Awards Nearly $199 Million to Improve Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Through Partnerships: For more information, please view this press release.  
    • Issue Brief & Fact Sheet—HCBS Equity Framework: Justice in Aging developed an HCBS Equity Framework to support policymakers, payers, providers, advocates, and consumers in making equity a primary focus at every stage of HCBS program design and implementation.  
      Their issue brief, An Equity Framework for Evaluating and Improving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services, describes how inequities can be embedded in various aspects of program design, provider availability, program awareness and enrollment, assessments and authorization of services, and provision of HCBS. It includes examples of how these inequities show up in existing HCBS programs and offers tips for stakeholders to begin to evaluate and improve programs in their state.  A companion Fact Sheet can also be found here.
    • HHS Launches Office of Long COVID Research and Practice: For more information and to view the announcement, please visit here. 
    • ACL Expands DIAL to include self-service features: ACL’s Disability Information and Access Line has launched a new tool to help people with disabilities find local services and resources to support community living. Through DIAL’s new website and its searchable database, users can now find the information they need, at any time of day, every day of the year.  
    • Disability, Diversity, and Intersectionality in CILs: For research, training, and technical assistance resources, please visit ILRU’s website at https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-diversity