ACL Centers for Independent Living

To support a Statewide network of centers for independent living (centers or CILs) and provide financial assistance to centers that comply with the standards and assurances in section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Reha

Supports a Statewide network of centers for independent living (centers or CILs) and provide financial assistance to centers that comply with the standards and assurances in section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act) consistent with the design included in the State Plan for Independent Living for establishing a statewide network of centers. Centers are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that are operated in local communities by individuals with disabilities and provide an array of IL services that are designed to enhance independence and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities and to promote their full inclusion and integration into the mainstream of American society.

Private non-profit organizations. An eligible agency under the CIL program is a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agency or a state agency in states in which no eligible private non-profit organization applies for a grant. A State's allotment for IL Part C funds is determined according to a population-based formula. To the extent funds are available, the Rehabilitation Act requires the Administrator to make awards based on a statutory order of priorities to the extent funds are available: (1) The Administrator shall support existing centers for independent living, as described in subsection (c), that comply with the standards and assurances set forth in section 725, at the level of funding for the previous year. (2) The Administrator shall provide for a cost-of-living increase for such existing centers for independent living. (3) The Administrator shall fund new centers for independent living, as described in subsection (d), that comply with the standards and assurances set forth in section 725.

Individuals with significant disabilities as defined in section 7(21)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act. This refers to an individual with a severe physical or mental impairment whose ability to function independently in the family or community or whose ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment is substantially limited and for whom the delivery of independent living services will improve the ability to function, continue functioning, or move toward functioning independently in the family or community or to continue in employment, respectively.

Federal funds awarded under this program, the CIL program, are used for the establishment and operation of centers for independent living which offer a wide range of independent living (IL) services. Services must include independent living core services which are (1) information and referral services, (2) independent living skills training, (3) peer counseling, including cross-disability peer counseling, (4) individual and systems advocacy and (5) services that (i) facilitate the transition of individuals with significant disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions to home and community-based residences, with the requisite supports and services; (ii) provide assistance to individuals with significant disabilities who are at risk of entering institutions so that the individuals may remain in the community; and (iii) facilitate the transition of youth who are individuals with significant disabilities, who were eligible for individualized education programs under section 614(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)), and who have completed their secondary education or otherwise left school, to post-secondary life. As appropriate, IL services may include a combination of any other independent living services specified in Section 7(18) of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 721(b) of the Rehabilitation Act specifies that not less than 1.8 percent and not more than two percent of Federal funds appropriated for the CIL program must be reserved each fiscal year to provide training and technical assistance to centers for independent living and eligible agencies under grants, contract or cooperative agreements with entities who have experience in the operation of centers for independent living.

Existing projects are approved on an annual basis with funding on a twelve month basis. New projects are funded for three years with funding approved on a 12-month basis.

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Selection criteria for this program may be found in the Funding Opportunity Announcement at http://www.grants.gov

New awards are made based upon the results of a competitive peer review process of applications.

Refer to the Funding Opportunity Announcement

Projects may be continued based on the determination that the center has met the standards and assurances under section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act, and the availability of funds. Amounts of continuation awards are subject to the availability of appropriations.