The mission, goals, objectives, and support activities of the New York (NY) 3-year Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for 2021-2023 are defined in Section 1 of the State Plan. The mission of the NY IL network, and this SPIL, is to increase the advocacy skills, leadership development, and empowerment of people with disabilities.
The SPIL contains three goals to achieve intermediate progress toward the mission:
- The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) successfully implements the SPIL and its other duties.
- People with disabilities engage and acquire skills in a statewide Center for Independent Living (CIL) advocacy network supported at local sites.
- Attendees learn skills at a biennial Independent Living (IL) statewide conference coordinated by the state association.
The SPIL contains four objectives directed toward the achievement of these goals. Each objective contains a set of measurable indicators to assess their progress and impact. A consistent set of measurable indicators will assess impact for each objective to the ultimate areas of change identified in the IL network mission: increase in the advocacy skills, leadership development, and empowerment of people with disabilities. Additional information for these objectives includes geographic scope, target performance levels, documentation for the targets, and funding source(s) and amount(s). The information is supplemented with necessary activities to support the completion of the objectives and measurable indicators. This includes the creation of surveys, distributed on an annual basis, to help verify several measurable indicators. Notes and other criteria are provided.
The fiscal aspects of the SPIL are explained in Section 1.4 and define amounts in the financial table by plan year. The financial narrative provides a summary of the anticipated sources, amounts and proposed uses of funds to support the SPIL objectives by plan year. It includes an explanation of the state match. Attachment I provides specific details related to the “Use of the Title VII, Part B funds” during this cycle. Other related SPIL financial notes are included.
The SILCs evaluation plan is identified in Section 1.5 to assess the effectiveness of the SPIL. The section describes the use of a SILC Monitoring and Evaluation Committee supported by a consultant. Narratives explain the processes used for monitoring the implementation of the SPIL, evaluating the effectiveness of the SPIL, evaluating statewide consumer satisfaction, and evaluating and assessing statewide needs. Attachment II presents a SPIL Evaluation Plan.
The scope of services provided by the IL network is identified in Section 2. The appropriate services are checked in the updated table in 2.1A, Independent Living Services, for the first column, “Provided using Subchapter B.” Asterisks are provided for the second column, “Provided using Other Funds,” and for the last row, “Other necessary services not inconsistent with the Act.” Explanations are offered. Attachment III identifies a listing of the services provided by centers under State Education Law funded by the NY IL State Appropriation (some of which are Federal CILs as noted in Section 3).
Outreach related to unserved or underserved populations or groups, including minority groups and urban and rural populations, is identified in Section 2.2. Narratives are provided to address the definition of unserved/underserved, methods used to determine unserved/underserved, current statewide target population priorities, current geographic area priorities, and outreach activities and methods to be conducted (and who will conduct each).
Plans for coordination of services and cooperation among programs and organizations that support community life for persons with disabilities, are described in Section 2.3. As noted, there is no actual plans but cooperative efforts, some of which have been mentioned previously in the SPIL.
The network of NY centers is identified in Section 3. The existing NY network is defined in Section 3.1. The narrative fully defines the Federally funded CILs and state funded Service Centers for Independent Living (SILCs). Charts are provided for both. The CIL chart identifies them by name/geographic area and counties served; and source(s) of funding. A follow up chart is provided to address the oversight process for the source of funds for the NY CIL network. The SCIL chart identifies them by name and location of their primary operation, along with sources of funding. Last, narrative refers to the criteria for defining the CIL network/signature of SPIL by Federal CIL directors.
The expansion and adjustment of the network is explained in Section 3.2. Narrative sections describe: a definition of served, unserved, and underserved, priorities for establishment of new CIL(s), minimum funding level for a center and formula/plan for distribution of funds to bring each center to the minimum, plan to build capacity of existing CILs and/or expand statewideness by establishing branch offices and/or satellites of existing CILs, action/process for distribution of funds relinquished or removed from a center and/or if a center closes, plan/formula for adjusting distribution of funds when cut/reduced, plan for changes to center service areas and/or funding levels to accommodate expansion and/or adjustment of the network, plan for one-time funding and/or temporary changes to center service areas and/or funding levels, and a plan and priorities for the use of funds (which includes a chart identifying action by funding source, funding circumstance, and methodology for distribution of funds).
Section 4 represents the Designated State Entity’s (DSE’s) response to their administrative responsibilities related to the SPIL.
Section 5 defines the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC). Section 5.1 relates to the establishment of the SILCs and explains how the council was established and assures their autonomy. Section 5.2 explains the SILC resource plan to confirm that the funding is necessary and sufficient to fulfill all duties and authorities. The resource plan is explained and referenced in Attachment I (C). Staffing/personnel and vendors are described to support duties/authorities. Authorities addressed by the SILC in the approved SPIL are identified. The process used to develop the SILC resource plan is explained. It includes a justification because the use of Title VII, Part B funds exceeded 30%. A process for disbursement of funds to facilitate effective operations of the SILC explains cooperative efforts between the council and the DSE to ensure timely contracting, reporting, and payment. The maintenance of SILC, Section 5.3 provides narratives to address the process used by the State to appoint members to the SILC who meet the composition requirements in section 705(b), along with the selection of the SILC chair. It also includes an affirmation of SILC staffing requirements and description of SILC policies and practices supportive of the maintenance of the SILC.
Section 6 provides legal certifications for the identified entities involved with authorities and responsibilities for the SPIL. Section 7 identifies the DSE assurances and articulates the administrative role and responsibilities of the DSE. Section 8 provides the SILC Assurances and Indicators of Minimum Compliance, detailing the functions, authorities, and requirements for operating as a SILC.