Center For Independence

THE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE IS A 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION SERVING AS A RESOURCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO FULLY ACCESS AND PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUTREACH, ADVOCACY, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. TO PROMOTE SELF-EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-ADVOCACY, STAFF CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE FOUR PRIMARY SERVICES OF ADVOCACY, PEER SUPPORT, INFORMATION, AND REFERRAL, PLUS IL SKILLS TRAINING. A FIFTH CORE SERVICE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNFUNDED, WAS ADDED THROUGH THE PASSAGE OF THE WIOA AND REAUTHORIZATION OF THE REHAB ACT IN 2014. THIS IS A THREE PART SERVICE WHICH ENCOMPASSES TRANSITION AGED YOUTH, DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION, AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO STAY OUT OF INSTITUTIONS. CFI HAS PROVIDED BOTH TRANSITION YOUTH AND DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION SERVICE WITH PART B AND RCL CONTRACT FUNDING FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.

ADVOCACY:CFI PROVIDES BOTH SYSTEMS AND INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY IN ORDER TO MERE EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. CFI HAS TWO DISTINCT SERVICE AREAS: OUR LAKEWOOD LOCATION SERVES THURSTON, PIERCE AND SOUTH KING COUNTY. WHILE OUR OFFICE IN MARYSVILLE SERVES SNOHOMISH, SKAGIT, WHATCOM, AND SAN JUAN COUNTIES.INFORMATION AND REFERRAL:CFI INCORPORATES ADVOCACY IN ITS I&R PROGRAM. THESE SERVICES ENSURE THE INDIVIDUALS ACTUALLY FIND NEEDED SERVICES. CFI CALLS INDIVIDUALS BACK WITHIN 4-5 DAYS TO SEE IF THE NECESSARY INFORMATION WAS FOUND OR IF ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED.INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS:THE CFI STAFF WORKS INDIVIDUALLY WITH CONSUMERS ON SETTING IL GOALS AND ON LEARNING THE SKILLS NEEDED TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS. TRAINING IS CUSTOMIZED FOR EACH PERSON'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND LEARNING STYLE. AS WITH OTHER SERVICES, IN-PERSON OR PHONE INTERPRETERS ARE OFFERED TO THOSE WHO NEED IT. EXAMPLES INCLUDE PARENTING RIGHTS, TRANSPORTATION ACCESS, PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING WHICH INCLUDES MODIFICATIONS AND AFFORDABILITY. MEETINGS CAN BE ARRANGED WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES IF THEY DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO REACH CFI.PEER SUPPORT:CFI IS A CONSUMER BASED NON-PROFIT AND PRACTICES A MISSION OF EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THE MAJORITY OF OUR STAFF, MANAGERS AND BOARD HAVE SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES. THEREFORE, PEER SUPPORT IS BUILT INTO ALL OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY CFI. PEOPLE CAN CALL IN OR MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO COME IN AND TALK WITH A STAFF MEMBER. ADDITIONALLY, MEETINGS WERE HELD MONTHLY BY OUR OUT AND ABOUT SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP AND OUR YOUTH SUPPORT GROUP.FEE BASED SERVICES:ONE OF OUR LARGEST FEES FOR SERVICE PROGRAMS IS THE ROADS TO COMMUNITY LIVING (RCL) . CFI CONTRACTS WITH PIERCE, LEWIS, MASON, KITSAP AND THURSTON COUNTIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING IN SOME TYPE OF INSTITUTION (NURSING HOME, HOSPITAL, ETC.) TO ASSIST THEM IN TRANSITIONING BACK OUT IN TO THE COMMUNITY. WHETHER THEY ARE RETURNING TO AN ESTABLISHED HOME, APARTMENT OR ADULT FAMILY HOME, THIS BODY OF WORK IS VERY DETAILED AND TIME SENSITIVE. WE MAY ALSO ADVOCATE FOR THEM TO THE COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT THE INTENT OF THE PROGRAM IS BEING ADHERED TO. WE ALSO CONTACT DVR TO PROVIDE ASSESSMENTS, IL SKILL TRAINING, AND COMMUNITY ACCESS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.YOUTH TRANSITION PROGRAM:THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS IN PREPARING YOUTH FOR THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO ADULT LIFE. EACH SUMMER CFI RUNS A YOUTH SUMMER WORKSHOP WHICH FOCUSES ON CONTINUED EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL GOALS, AND VARIOUS OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. FROM THIS PROGRAM, MANY YOUTH SIGN UP FOR INDIVIDUAL SERVICES AND/OR PEER INCLUSION.