Consumer control is the foundation of Independent Living, and permeates the board, staff and management of Centers as well as the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC). The requirements are clear: More than 50% (51% or more) of the board members
Is it a conflict for the CIL rep to chair the SILC?
I want to say first that it is not a conflict of interest for a CIL staff member to serve in any office on the SILC, including as chair. The regulations only require that the chair be a voting member,
Four key checks for SILCs
Your Statewide Independent Living Council operates under a set of rules found in section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act and in the SILC Indicators and SILC and DSE Assurances. Here are some key items that your SILC must not overlook:
Is your SILC keeping up?
There are urgent things that every SILC must do in the next few months. Get final approval for the current plan. For some of you, your current State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), which was updated or amended, hasn’t been
Who are sub-recipients? And is that related to signing the SPIL?
Question from a SILC: Are the CIL’s considered a sub-recipient? Because I see where I should maintain the following on a sub-recipient. Is this a correct list that ensures they are eligible to participate in the SPIL? Articles of Incorporation
Contractor or Subrecipient? Does it matter?

In a couple of states the DSE (Designated State Entity) is allowing only overdue reimbursement and not advances or timely payment. Both SILCs are considered contractors by their state. I wondered if there is enough difference between a contractor and
Are Resource Development Costs direct or indirect?
First a refresher — while fund raising costs are not typically allowed with federal dollars, the Rehabilitation Act specifically requires centers, and allows SILCs, to conduct Resource Development. Rule number one, always call your activities to increase your resources (including
For SILCs – How to request a technical amendment
ACL/ILA has asked the SILCs to either extend or amend their State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) as we go into the new planning cycle. This most recent guidance allows for time to complete the review and acceptance process for
Make your plans now for the first IL Conference of 2019
Registration to the SILC Congress is now open. This gathering of SILC directors, members and chairs will be held February 25-27 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. You can register now to get your plans underway. SILC staff
Take time to listen to each other!
Is it just me, or does there seem to be more bickering in the world than there used to be? You can see it in almost every relationship — between countries, between races, between political parties and candidates, between other