You might find it helpful to utilize some of the on-line resources for your staff meetings and staff training. Some center approach training by doing a short segment during each staff meeting. I suggest up to 30 minutes each. Here
Getting out the vote
You already know that, as a recipient of federal funds, you can lobby, but can’t use those federal dollars to lobby. You know that your CIL or SILC can’t support or oppose any candidate for office because of your tax-free
11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting
Recent events have raised a national conversation about “gaslighting”, and I don’t know about you, but much of what is being said resonated with me, not just as a woman, but as a woman with a disability. I found this
Personal reflection on chronic pain
Usually this blog focuses on regulations that impact Centers and Councils. I am going to have a completely different conversation today. If you aren’t comfortable with where this goes, that is okay. I will resume the more typical posts next
Allowable costs for federal grants — about lobbying
Over the next few weeks we are going to address the costs that are NOT allowed with federal money, or that are allowed in some cases and not others. The first topic we should discuss is lobbying. First, a CIL
Advocacy Skill Building Toolkit – Teaching Advocacy to Youth
You may have heard that, when Ed Roberts (the father of Independent Living) was asked to name the core services for Centers, he replied, “Advocacy, Advocacy, Advocacy”. While we know there are other core services, advocacy is the foundation. At
Systems change advocacy – six effective strategies
I was readying an article in Non-Profit Quarterly recently, an article about how to change an established system. I was reminded of a few important principles around system change. We are not the only group in the world working for
Are you ready for that emergency?
It’s that time of year again. There are floods, landslide, road washouts and more in California. Weather events happen all across the country. Blizzards. Earthquakes. Tornadoes. Ice storms. Recent fires in the Tennessee towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge burned
A recap of core services and other service options for CILs
The recent update to the regulations, which I am attaching and which are found in 45 CFR Part 1329, provide definitions for some of the core services, but not all. In addition, the definitions are not all-encompassing. In other words, they
Philosophy of Independent Living – the Basic Fundamentals
Section 701 of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act starts out with the purpose of Independent Living. “The purpose of this chapter is to promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination,