While rarely individuals do good work for the sake of recognition, many are profoundly grateful that their relentless efforts are appreciated. When we see award forms, it’s easy to pass and move onto something else that seem more relevent in our lives. But if you’ve had contact with someone over the last year that you think has really made a difference or change – please give back. The form takes about 15 minutes of your time, but it can offer a lifetime of meaning to someone that really deserves it.
Who do you see, meet or work with this year?
The full form is linked here. See below for the four opportunities:
GENE FIORENTINO SELF-ADVOCATE AWARD
Self Advocacy refers to an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his or her own interests, desires, needs, and rights. The Gene Fiorentino Self-Advocate Award was established in memory of one of RCIL’s most committed board member’s, Gene Fiorentino. He was a true advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities and truly believed in the vision and mission of RCIL.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AWARD
RCIL is looking for individual(s), community organizations, agencies or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution and increased the availability of support services to persons with disabilities, has served in a volunteer capacity, and/or improved the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Examples of this support may be in the form of (but not limited to): commitment of dollars, in-kind donations and technical support, or campaigns to promote awareness of or action around the needs of persons with disabilities.
PUBLIC POLICY AWARD
RCIL is looking for an individual or community organization that has reflected a commitment to excellence and a resolve in supporting changes in Legislation and Public Policy that has promoted full integration of Civil Rights for people with disabilities. Past recipients of this award include former Senator Raymond Meier and Alice Savino, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board along with Assemblywoman, RoAnn Destito. In these cases, the recipients advocated for system-wide changes in public policy that truly support the Independent Living Philosophy.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD
This individual or team will have provided outstanding, high-quality service furthering RCIL’s mission directly or indirectly, allowing equal opportunity for community participation for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, the nominees must act in a manner in keeping with the Independent Living Philosophy and have made a significant impact on RCIL or the community. The purpose of the “Employee of the Year Award” is to:
• Support the Agency’s goal of developing and recognizing talent
• Reward Agency’s valued talent by celebrating their accomplishments at the Annual Dinner held in October
• Complement and reinforce the Agency’s mission, vision and values
- Ellen
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Rep. Hanna's visit to RCIL
Rep. Richard Hanna from the 24th district joined us at our staff meeting last week. Over the hour he was with us, he talked about the economy, healthcare and the political environment in Washington. At issue this week, and in the coming weeks, is the appropriate balance between taxation and “entitlements” such as Medicaid, Medicare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Social Security. Rep. Hanna suggested during the dialog that current levels of spending were unsustainable and that he anticipated cuts happening.
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If you want to connect with Rep. Hanna, his record or his staff, see below for some options:
• You can call his office to set an appointment to discuss individual issues. For advice on approaching your legislator about policy issues and concerns, call us at RCIL 315-797-4642 and ask to speak with Donna Gillette.
• For how Rep. Hanna voted on any issue, see his Congressional website http://hanna.house.gov/
• Rep. Hanna regularly runs live Town Hall meetings by phone. If you receive one of these calls, consider staying on the line. You can listen and ask questions.
As the deadline for raising the debt ceiling looms, important decisions about the federal budget are being negotiated on a daily basis. This is a great week for contacting Rep. Hanna about how public spending affects you.
- Ellen
If you want to connect with Rep. Hanna, his record or his staff, see below for some options:
• You can call his office to set an appointment to discuss individual issues. For advice on approaching your legislator about policy issues and concerns, call us at RCIL 315-797-4642 and ask to speak with Donna Gillette.
• For how Rep. Hanna voted on any issue, see his Congressional website http://hanna.house.gov/
• Rep. Hanna regularly runs live Town Hall meetings by phone. If you receive one of these calls, consider staying on the line. You can listen and ask questions.
As the deadline for raising the debt ceiling looms, important decisions about the federal budget are being negotiated on a daily basis. This is a great week for contacting Rep. Hanna about how public spending affects you.
- Ellen
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Connecting Connections
A core element for Independent Living Centers (ILCs) is to foster the linkages that promote open communication and dialogue among staff and consumers. Despite all the differences in experience, we have considerable commonality in hope, fear, sickness, change, family and every other emotion and aspect of life. Our mission statement includes the bold belief that each person has “the basic human right of participating in society as a self-determining individual.”
You have the right to remain you.
We all must strive to connect with those who are isolated or otherwise limited in their ability to access information that can lead to choices and options that would have gone unknown. Every one of us without exception should be part of this effort.
The opportunity to share information that can enhance the lives of those we meet cannot be underestimated. Sometimes the setting can make the connection more meaningful. RCIL has hosted a “Community Forum for those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing” several times a year. It has helped create an environment conducive for this unique group to both converse with each other as well as to become aware of topics and ideas that might have otherwise been missed.
All of us should continually be alert to occasions formal and informal, individual and group, where new connections can be made. Some may grow into lasting relationships and others may be a one-time learning experience. Either way it’s about passing on a chance for a more fulfilling life.
Keep connecting!
- Dave L.
You have the right to remain you.
We all must strive to connect with those who are isolated or otherwise limited in their ability to access information that can lead to choices and options that would have gone unknown. Every one of us without exception should be part of this effort.
The opportunity to share information that can enhance the lives of those we meet cannot be underestimated. Sometimes the setting can make the connection more meaningful. RCIL has hosted a “Community Forum for those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing” several times a year. It has helped create an environment conducive for this unique group to both converse with each other as well as to become aware of topics and ideas that might have otherwise been missed.
All of us should continually be alert to occasions formal and informal, individual and group, where new connections can be made. Some may grow into lasting relationships and others may be a one-time learning experience. Either way it’s about passing on a chance for a more fulfilling life.
Keep connecting!
- Dave L.
Monday, June 20, 2011
The Importance of Asset Development in Addressing Poverty
In general, poverty reduction strategies are typically categorized as income-focused or asset-focused.
Income-focused strategies for poverty alleviation have their origins in 20th century social policy. These strategies are geared to offering relief for emergent needs, and are often described as “emergency programs”. The purpose of such programs is to address basic needs. While important, these programs address the symptoms of poverty, and not the direct causes. Such programs do not give families or individuals an opportunity to change their circumstances; they simply help families to make ends meet.
Asset-focused poverty reduction strategies provide opportunities to build long-term wealth. Individuals and families with assets are more resilient, and can create sustained wealth to lift themselves from poverty or offer protection against economic decline. While assets allow families to remove themselves from the constant cycle of financial crisis, they also tend to promote a more positive and proactive orientation toward the future. Assets give opportunities for upward social mobility, allowing for more participation in the market economy (such as when buying a home, engaging in postsecondary education, or capitalizing a business).
While both strategies are important, existing poverty reduction methods are almost solely geared to income relief (food stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families are examples). This gives families some relief in their day-to-day lives, but does little to help their financial situation long-term. Asset-building opportunities would break this cycle by providing opportunities for building wealth and embarking on a path of self-sufficiency.
RCIL helps individuals to identify, apply for, and access income assistance programs they are eligible to receive. This can be thought of as poverty management assistance – it may help an emergent situation, but only until the next crisis occurs. To break this cycle RCIL has developed and advocated for programs focused on asset building. This approach is more transformational, and provides real opportunities to move from poverty.
Fundamental policy changes are needed to change from a system that manages poverty to one that eradicates it. The current programs and systems in place can provide some opportunities, but are clearly not enough.
-Quinton
Income-focused strategies for poverty alleviation have their origins in 20th century social policy. These strategies are geared to offering relief for emergent needs, and are often described as “emergency programs”. The purpose of such programs is to address basic needs. While important, these programs address the symptoms of poverty, and not the direct causes. Such programs do not give families or individuals an opportunity to change their circumstances; they simply help families to make ends meet.
Asset-focused poverty reduction strategies provide opportunities to build long-term wealth. Individuals and families with assets are more resilient, and can create sustained wealth to lift themselves from poverty or offer protection against economic decline. While assets allow families to remove themselves from the constant cycle of financial crisis, they also tend to promote a more positive and proactive orientation toward the future. Assets give opportunities for upward social mobility, allowing for more participation in the market economy (such as when buying a home, engaging in postsecondary education, or capitalizing a business).
While both strategies are important, existing poverty reduction methods are almost solely geared to income relief (food stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families are examples). This gives families some relief in their day-to-day lives, but does little to help their financial situation long-term. Asset-building opportunities would break this cycle by providing opportunities for building wealth and embarking on a path of self-sufficiency.
RCIL helps individuals to identify, apply for, and access income assistance programs they are eligible to receive. This can be thought of as poverty management assistance – it may help an emergent situation, but only until the next crisis occurs. To break this cycle RCIL has developed and advocated for programs focused on asset building. This approach is more transformational, and provides real opportunities to move from poverty.
Fundamental policy changes are needed to change from a system that manages poverty to one that eradicates it. The current programs and systems in place can provide some opportunities, but are clearly not enough.
-Quinton
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
RCIL's 2011 Policy Agenda
We believe if you want to live independently you don’t need permission, you need resources. At RCIL, we provide real solutions to the personal, social or governmental barriers that are stopping your decisions from being respected and realized. We have four decades of experience in providing personally tailored advocacy, information, and training services. In 2011, it’s possible to move from segregated placements to people living in their communities with only the support they need and choose.
RCIL believes that the widespread poverty, segregation, and isolation of people with disabilities is unacceptable, should not be tolerated, and requires change.
Reduce Isolation and Transform Service
Government should not financially support unnecessary or unwanted segregated living. New York continues to discriminate against New Yorkers with disabilities by segregating them in dead-end settings, simply because of a disability. We oppose changes that jeopardize existing programs and services that are shown to help individuals live and work independently in their own homes and communities.
Improve Health
Government should provide individuals with safety-net health and long-term health care service options. Individual choice is essential for quality and cost-effective services that allow the greatest opportunity for independence. We oppose changes that restrict eligibility, place unnecessary hardships on individuals or providers, or ignore individual differences in need or preference.
Reduce Poverty
Government should create and support integrated employment, education, and savings strategies so that individuals can leave poverty. Effective safety-net programs can foster independence by supporting employment and re-entry to education throughout the lifespan. We oppose policies that discriminate against people because they are poor or that discourage work, saving, or asset development.
Our specific reccomendations:
Reduce Isolation and Transform Service
• Enact “The Integrated Services Bill” in New York that presumes all people can benefit from community life. Amend the law so that people with disabilities have the right to choose employment and receive supports in their own homes and communities. Current maintenance programs and institutional living perpetuate dependency and poverty.
• Support “Community First Choice Act” in New York. As part of the federal Affordable Care Act, additional options for states are now available to move their long-term care service systems from costly, outdated institutional models to community-based models.
• Fully implement New York’s Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Program. Nursing facility placement continues to be easier than helping someone to return home after illness or injury requiring a hospital stay. Identifying and removing barriers to effective implementation of this initiative will allow people to stay in or move back to their home.
Improve Health
• Protect choice within New York’s “managed care” approach to services. As Medicaid Redesign efforts force people with long term care needs into coordinated care organizations, we risk losing consumer-directed models of care. Having a disability does not inherently require a medical approach to service.
• Advocate against federal proposals to shrink Medicaid and Medicare programs. This “block grant” approach sets annual spending limits for states. These caps will limit access to healthcare and undermine current service levels.
• Seek opportunities to encourage balance between regulatory oversight and service. Excessive regulations and monitoring of funds can impede innovation and cost effectiveness. Access to quality care depends on adequate funding, provides flexibility for meeting complex human needs, and respects human potential.
Reduce Poverty
• Expand partnerships, transform public investments, and create demonstration projects that increase employment opportunities for all people. The recession and high unemployment rate in upstate New York creates a tough environment for youth and individuals with disabilities to earn a living wage. RCIL will continue to seek out and work with diverse partners and projects that are proving their ability to provide innovative solutions.
• Raise expectations for achievement in the new 1115 Waiver. New York’s promise of equal opportunity includes work, yet existing Medicaid Waivers do not focus on moving individuals towards real jobs. Self-sufficiency stems from competitive employment and must be a key framework in any proposed plan to truly transform service systems.
RCIL has offices conveniently located in Utica, Amsterdam, Herkimer, Watertown and Indian Lake serving 38 counties New York. We have a qualified and caring staff of nearly 1700 ready to commit to making your plan for independence a reality. If you need a service, chances are we have a relationship that will get it for you.
RCIL believes that the widespread poverty, segregation, and isolation of people with disabilities is unacceptable, should not be tolerated, and requires change.
Reduce Isolation and Transform Service
Government should not financially support unnecessary or unwanted segregated living. New York continues to discriminate against New Yorkers with disabilities by segregating them in dead-end settings, simply because of a disability. We oppose changes that jeopardize existing programs and services that are shown to help individuals live and work independently in their own homes and communities.
Improve Health
Government should provide individuals with safety-net health and long-term health care service options. Individual choice is essential for quality and cost-effective services that allow the greatest opportunity for independence. We oppose changes that restrict eligibility, place unnecessary hardships on individuals or providers, or ignore individual differences in need or preference.
Reduce Poverty
Government should create and support integrated employment, education, and savings strategies so that individuals can leave poverty. Effective safety-net programs can foster independence by supporting employment and re-entry to education throughout the lifespan. We oppose policies that discriminate against people because they are poor or that discourage work, saving, or asset development.
Our specific reccomendations:
Reduce Isolation and Transform Service
• Enact “The Integrated Services Bill” in New York that presumes all people can benefit from community life. Amend the law so that people with disabilities have the right to choose employment and receive supports in their own homes and communities. Current maintenance programs and institutional living perpetuate dependency and poverty.
• Support “Community First Choice Act” in New York. As part of the federal Affordable Care Act, additional options for states are now available to move their long-term care service systems from costly, outdated institutional models to community-based models.
• Fully implement New York’s Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Program. Nursing facility placement continues to be easier than helping someone to return home after illness or injury requiring a hospital stay. Identifying and removing barriers to effective implementation of this initiative will allow people to stay in or move back to their home.
Improve Health
• Protect choice within New York’s “managed care” approach to services. As Medicaid Redesign efforts force people with long term care needs into coordinated care organizations, we risk losing consumer-directed models of care. Having a disability does not inherently require a medical approach to service.
• Advocate against federal proposals to shrink Medicaid and Medicare programs. This “block grant” approach sets annual spending limits for states. These caps will limit access to healthcare and undermine current service levels.
• Seek opportunities to encourage balance between regulatory oversight and service. Excessive regulations and monitoring of funds can impede innovation and cost effectiveness. Access to quality care depends on adequate funding, provides flexibility for meeting complex human needs, and respects human potential.
Reduce Poverty
• Expand partnerships, transform public investments, and create demonstration projects that increase employment opportunities for all people. The recession and high unemployment rate in upstate New York creates a tough environment for youth and individuals with disabilities to earn a living wage. RCIL will continue to seek out and work with diverse partners and projects that are proving their ability to provide innovative solutions.
• Raise expectations for achievement in the new 1115 Waiver. New York’s promise of equal opportunity includes work, yet existing Medicaid Waivers do not focus on moving individuals towards real jobs. Self-sufficiency stems from competitive employment and must be a key framework in any proposed plan to truly transform service systems.
RCIL has offices conveniently located in Utica, Amsterdam, Herkimer, Watertown and Indian Lake serving 38 counties New York. We have a qualified and caring staff of nearly 1700 ready to commit to making your plan for independence a reality. If you need a service, chances are we have a relationship that will get it for you.
Friday, May 20, 2011
No longer dying at sea
Ignorance and fear of the 15th century led to practices such as the “Ship of Fools”, which launched people with severe disabilities out to sea, sometimes to their death. “Progress” then moved us into the “The Great Confinement” of the 17th through 19th centuries where families placed people with disabilities in institutions where there was gross abuse, starvation and negligence.
Better than dying at sea, but hardly a good life.
Thankfully, the practice of segregation and abuse of individuals with disabilities slowly began to fade away in the 20th century as advocacy for civil rights became more commonplace.
By the mid-1970’s most state governments had committed to de-institutionalization, and when on June 22nd, 1999, under enforcement of the Olmstead Act, (Olmstead vs. L.C.) it was agreed that the “unjustified institutionalization of people is a form of discrimination”, individuals with disabilities were finally given the choice of a fully integrated life within their communities.
Or so we thought.
As the cost of medical services rises throughout the United States, state governments are struggling to meet the health needs and the increasing price tag of health care for their neediest residents with disabilities. New and more creative models such as the New York State 1115 Waiver, (‘People First Waiver’), a system of reform that has been developed in order to “safely, effectively and efficiently support individuals with developmental disabilities in the community by improving coordination of care across the state’s numerous service systems that support individuals with developmental disabilities.”
It’s a re-affirmation that people want to live like people – in the community and make their own choices.
The ‘People First’ project proposes that improved health care coordination can be reached through better organization of care, and that a long term care delivery system that considers individual needs, choice and satisfaction.
The system improvements through the 1115 Waiver are responsible and responsive to the changing needs of New York State consumers. These proposed modifications are community-based and are centered on an individual’s needs. They are simple to understand as well as flexible and endorse personal choice with a focus on the service needs and well-being of consumers.
People with disabilities are no longer suspended voices living in the darkness on those infamous “ships that pass in the night”. Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote, “I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving, - we must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”
As we all work towards constantly moving closer to the processes that enable people with disabilities to attain their own personal freedom, we ask for your support for the ‘People First’-1115 Waiver.
It’s much better than dying at sea.
Better than dying at sea, but hardly a good life.
Thankfully, the practice of segregation and abuse of individuals with disabilities slowly began to fade away in the 20th century as advocacy for civil rights became more commonplace.
By the mid-1970’s most state governments had committed to de-institutionalization, and when on June 22nd, 1999, under enforcement of the Olmstead Act, (Olmstead vs. L.C.) it was agreed that the “unjustified institutionalization of people is a form of discrimination”, individuals with disabilities were finally given the choice of a fully integrated life within their communities.
Or so we thought.
As the cost of medical services rises throughout the United States, state governments are struggling to meet the health needs and the increasing price tag of health care for their neediest residents with disabilities. New and more creative models such as the New York State 1115 Waiver, (‘People First Waiver’), a system of reform that has been developed in order to “safely, effectively and efficiently support individuals with developmental disabilities in the community by improving coordination of care across the state’s numerous service systems that support individuals with developmental disabilities.”
It’s a re-affirmation that people want to live like people – in the community and make their own choices.
The ‘People First’ project proposes that improved health care coordination can be reached through better organization of care, and that a long term care delivery system that considers individual needs, choice and satisfaction.
The system improvements through the 1115 Waiver are responsible and responsive to the changing needs of New York State consumers. These proposed modifications are community-based and are centered on an individual’s needs. They are simple to understand as well as flexible and endorse personal choice with a focus on the service needs and well-being of consumers.
People with disabilities are no longer suspended voices living in the darkness on those infamous “ships that pass in the night”. Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote, “I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving, - we must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”
As we all work towards constantly moving closer to the processes that enable people with disabilities to attain their own personal freedom, we ask for your support for the ‘People First’-1115 Waiver.
It’s much better than dying at sea.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Teen Employment Crisis and Violence Connection
A few weeks ago, in east Utica, approximately 75 youth congregated at a local intersection. They were armed with clubs, knives, and assorted other weapons. Thankfully for all involved, police arrived before a battle commenced. The youth ranged in age, with some below 16. A few of those who were older were taken into custody by the police.
Unfortunately, this was not an isolated occurrence. Local law enforcement authorities, as well as those around the country, have noted a substantial up-tick in the numbers of youth involved in street gangs in the last few years. Is there a connection with the lack of jobs available for youth in the local community as well as elsewhere in the country?
The Great Recession that began in 2007 brought the overall unemployment rate to 10 percent. In fact, according to a report in the on-line journal Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity teen employment has declined more than 25 percent since 2006. “For teens from low income families, summer employment provides not only income, but also work experience that can distinguish teens within a competitive urban labor market and signal competence and professionalism to potential full-time employers.”
Entry level employment such as fast food, retail, landscaping, and grocery store work can provide skills that are critical to future employment. Youth learn to show up on time, listen to their boss, consider a customer and the fundamental principle of exchanging time for money. Futhermore, these early work experiences encourage school completion, create connections with other working teens, and help lower risky behaviors. RCIL’s Main Street program works to put at-risk youth on a path toward a job and/or further education. Linking high school students to occupational training with technical schools and/or community colleges has proven successful. Also noted in the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, “Career Academies establish partnerships with local employers to provide work-based learning opportunities to improve student preparation for the workforce as well as college attendance. These programs have been shown to be effective for at-risk youth.”
We should advocate for substantial increases for government funding in support of these initiatives. It should be available to both young women and men who can certainly all benefit. When one looks at the huge recidivism rates for our prison system (over 40 percent), and the cost to society both financially and emotionally from crime, the cost effectiveness of such funding is clearly apparent.
- Dave L.
Unfortunately, this was not an isolated occurrence. Local law enforcement authorities, as well as those around the country, have noted a substantial up-tick in the numbers of youth involved in street gangs in the last few years. Is there a connection with the lack of jobs available for youth in the local community as well as elsewhere in the country?
The Great Recession that began in 2007 brought the overall unemployment rate to 10 percent. In fact, according to a report in the on-line journal Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity teen employment has declined more than 25 percent since 2006. “For teens from low income families, summer employment provides not only income, but also work experience that can distinguish teens within a competitive urban labor market and signal competence and professionalism to potential full-time employers.”
Entry level employment such as fast food, retail, landscaping, and grocery store work can provide skills that are critical to future employment. Youth learn to show up on time, listen to their boss, consider a customer and the fundamental principle of exchanging time for money. Futhermore, these early work experiences encourage school completion, create connections with other working teens, and help lower risky behaviors. RCIL’s Main Street program works to put at-risk youth on a path toward a job and/or further education. Linking high school students to occupational training with technical schools and/or community colleges has proven successful. Also noted in the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, “Career Academies establish partnerships with local employers to provide work-based learning opportunities to improve student preparation for the workforce as well as college attendance. These programs have been shown to be effective for at-risk youth.”
We should advocate for substantial increases for government funding in support of these initiatives. It should be available to both young women and men who can certainly all benefit. When one looks at the huge recidivism rates for our prison system (over 40 percent), and the cost to society both financially and emotionally from crime, the cost effectiveness of such funding is clearly apparent.
- Dave L.
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