|
Community Services in Texas on the Chopping Block
|
SILC
MEMBERS
OFFICERS MEMBERS EX-OFFICIO
MEMBERS ADMINISTRATION |
Lubbock
Hosts
A Great Conference
By Ted Thayer
 |
Gary
Guller recounts his experiences in climbing Mount Everest. |
The Fifth Annual Statewide Independent Living Conference, jointly hosted by the Texas State Independent Living Council and LIFE/RUN Center for Independent Living, was held at the Holiday Inn Park Plaza hotel in Lubbock on March 1-2, 2004. Approximately 150 persons with disabilities, family members, agency staff, exhibitors, service providers, and exhibitors participated in a wealth of interesting and informative presentations.
The conference, entitled “Power Through Partnerships... We’re All in This Together”, was divided into two tracks–one focusing upon strategies for developing effective partnerships and networks and the other focusing upon other salient issues such as housing, transportation, legislative issues, the State Plan for Independent Living, consumer control, and voting. The latter presentation included a demonstration of the latest technology in accessible voting machines. The keynote address was given by Goeffrey Conner, Texas Secretary of State.
 |
Michael
Beukenkamp from Amarillo accepts his award as "Consumer of the
Year". |
Equally important, participants had an opportunity to network with other persons involved in disability and independent living issues and to share knowledge, strategies, and resources that impact persons with disabilities. This aspect of the conference was particularly important in view of the conference theme, developing power through effective partnerships.
Enough cannot be said about the great work that was done locally by the LIFE/RUN Center for Independent Living. The center marketed the conference extensively in the West Texas area, worked with the hotel regarding accessibility issues, arranged for and provided accessible transportation, and arranged for presenters and entertainment. They even arranged for a luncheon at the center. Michelle Crain, the LIFE/RUN center director and a SILC member, and her staff are to commended for a fine job in co-hosting the conference and contributing greatly to its success.
 |
Kalie
McAllister, Miss Deaf Texas, entertains during the Awards Dinner. |
A highlight of the conference is always the awards dinner and this year was no exception. Awards were presented to the following outstanding recipients:
Outstanding Center for Independent Living
Austin Resource Center for Independent
Living
 |
From
left; Mary Ann Hernandez, Ronald Rocha, and Jack Stratton accept
the "Outstanding Center Award" for ARCIL, Inc. |
Legislative Excellence Award
Senator Bill Ratliff
Community Service Award
Texas Department of Human Services
Consumer of the Year Award
Michael Beukenkamp
A special award was presented to Team Everest for their outstanding feat in climbing Mount Everest and demonstrating that anything is possible for persons with disabilities. Gary Guller, Team Leader, accepted the award and recounted his experiences during the climb.
Many thanks to the Texas Tech University Jazz Band, the “Wheeler Quartet” and to Kalie McAllister, Miss Deaf Texas, for providing great entertainment during the awards dinner.
Planning has already begun for the 2005 conference which will be held in Austin. We look forward to another great event and hope you will join us.
By Ted Thayer
IL Funding Recommendations Made to RSA
After considerable consultation
with the Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living, the SILC,
the Division for Rehabilitative Services, and the Division for Blind Services
recently made recommendations to the Rehabilitation Services Administration
(RSA) concerning the allocation of $217,152 in new Title VII, Part C funds
for independent living centers. The funds will be divided among existing
centers for independent to replace small Title VII, Part B grants in several
of the centers and to increase funding for centers whose budgets are below
the $250,000 minimum budgetary level specified in the State Plan
for Independent Living. Because of insufficient funding, no funds for new
centers will be available.
Silc Representatives Meet With DARS Commissioner
On April 6th, Paula Margeson,
SILC Chairperson, and Ted Thayer, SILC Executive Director, met with Terry
Murphy, the new Commissioner of the Division of Assistive and Rehabilitative
Services (DARS). The meeting focused primarily upon establishing an effective
working relationship between the SILC and DARS. Issues discussed
included identification of the designated state unit, ex-officio SILC members
representing DARS, the SILC budget for inclusion in the State Plan for
Independent Living, and appointments to the SILC. The meeting was very
productive and will be followed by subsequent meetings to discuss specific
matters of interest to both organizations.
Opportunities For College Students With Disabilities
The Washington Center
for Internships and Academic Seminars recently announced that it is accepting
applications from college students with disabilities for the fall semester.
Scholarships will include full-time internships, classes with noted professionals,
job skills sessions, and interaction with high-level politicians and leaders
in the business, non-profit, and advocacy fields. Ninety percent
of the cost of the Washington Center's total program and a housing allowance
of $8,430 will be provided. Current undergraduate stu-dents of all majors
and interests are encouraged to apply. Additional information may be obtained
from website
http://www.twc.edu/diversityingovernment.htm
Relocation And Housing Grants Approved
The Department of Human Services
recently approved four sites for housing grants covering the entire state.
ARCIL is a primary contractor,
collaborating
with the REACH centers and the Heart of Central Texas center. The Coastal
Bend center will be working closely with the contractor in the Corpus Christi
area. This will set up an infrastructure that can be used to secure
additional funding in the future. In addition, VAIL has been approved for
a TBRA Olmstead Housing Grant from the Texas Department of Community Affairs.
Those funds will establish a tenant-based rental assistance program. Finally,
the Crockett center, ARCIL, the Coastal Bend center, and the LIFE/RUN center
have applied and been approved for relocation funds to continue the work
begun under Rider 37.