• Orientation to Independent Living for New CIL Personnel
• Expanding Housing Options for Persons with Disabilities: Housing Advocacy for CILs
• Building an Effective Peer Support Program 
• Implementing Olmstead: ABCs of Nursing Home Transition
• Getting on Board: Training for Boards of Directors in Independent Living
• Resource Development: Developing Fees-for-Service in CILs
• SILC Member Orientation to IL History, Philosophy and Approaches
• Financial Management for Centers for Independent Living
• SILC Duties and Responsibilities

Registration form

Questions?

Do you have questions? Here is important information about how our online classes work.

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Please Note

Sending the registration form in is NOT a guarantee that you are in the class. Registrations are processed in the order received. Class slots are limited. Register early. Acceptance notices will be sent shortly AFTER the registration closing date. If more than one registration from the same organization is received, the additional registrations will be accepted only if slots are unfilled by other organizations.

Refund Policy

Withdrawals, requests for refunds or requests to apply tuition to a future course must be received in writing or by e­mail BEFORE the first day of the course; otherwise no refund or credit can be made. Registrations are non-transferable after the beginning of the course. Only a limited number of participants can be accepted for each course. Withdrawals prevent others from participating.

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Orientation to Independent Living for New CIL Personnel

Course Dates: October 22-November 16, 2012
Registration Deadline: October 12, 2012
Orientation: October 17, 2012

PURPOSE: This four-week course is designed to give new employees and board members a solid understanding of the principles and philosophy of independent living. Topics include the history of independent living, consumer control, cross-disability issues, equal access, peer relationships, and self advocacy. Students also discuss the implication of the federal standards and indicators (the Rehab Act and regulations) on the philosophy.

Course Level: This is a beginning level course.

Target Audience: New staff, as well as board members.

Course Objectives: Upon completion, participants will be able to define and understand the elements of the IL philosophy, describe the impact of the federal requirements on day-to-day activities in the center, and apply IL principles and philosophy to real life situations.

Format: Activities assigned on each of the 20 days may include reading assignments, online group discussions, analyses of scenarios, and addressing actual day-to-day problems encountered when applying the philosophy in a center. Participants will devote an average of 3-5 hours per week to assignments and activities.

Instructor: Bob Michaels is a long-time consultant and trainer for the independent living field. Michaels provides considerable training and technical assistance to the field through the IL NET program.

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Expanding Housing Options for Persons with Disabilities: Housing Advocacy for CILs

Course Dates: January 21-February 8, 2013
Registration Deadline: January 9, 2013
Student Orientation: January 16, 2013

Purpose: This course will assist participants in understanding, accessing, and expanding the funding sources, systems, planning processes, and programs involved in community-based housing for persons with disabilities.

Target Audience: IL Center Staff, especially administrators, housing specialists, and advocates; it may also be of benefit to CIL board members, and staff and members of Statewide Independent Living Councils.

Objectives: Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to: identify and match major sources of federal or state funding for housing to consumer needs; implement effective advocacy strategies to expand housing resources for people with disabilities; play a significant role in your community's housing planning processes; and forge alliances with key housing partners.

Format: Participants will read assignments in the online course manual, complete exercises assigned by the instructor, and interact daily with the instructor and other students in an online discussion forum. Participants can access the course Web site at any time of the day or night. This can be done from any computer with an Internet connection. Participants should plan on spending 1-2 hours each day reading assignments, completing course work and participating in the discussion.

Instructor: Ann Denton is a recognized expert on homelessness, mental illness, system change and housing issues for people with mental and other disabilities. She provides technical assistance to states and communities in many areas, including the development of Continuum of Care plans, strategic planning, project development and monitoring, prioritization, service coordination and operation of housing and service systems. Ms. Denton's areas of expertise include permanent supportive housing, discharge planning, prevention strategies, and access to mainstream services. She provides training and technical assistance to states, communities, advocates, and providers in the areas of homelessness (including Continuum of Care planning and operation), housing, supports and services, advocacy, program implementation and operation, planning, resource development, and strategic partnerships through contracts managed by Ms. Denton.

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Building an Effective Peer Support Program 

Course Dates: February 11-March 1, 2013
Registration Deadline: January 25, 2013
Student Orientation: February 6, 2013

Purpose: Learn how to create a comprehensive framework for a new peer support program or how to improve your existing program. 

Course Level: Beginner to Intermediate - some experience with managing or delivering peer support services will be helpful

Target Audience: This three-week course is relevant for executive directors, program managers, coordinators of peer support services or volunteer services, independent living specialists, or other personnel of CILs for whom a basic understanding of a successful peer support program is pertinent.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to--

• Discuss a framework design for a peer support program that includes a level of commitment to peer support programming within an existing Center structure.
• Describe an administrative infrastructure that will provide the framework for an effective peer support program that will ensure successful service delivery, including peer recruitment, training, and supervision; and program coordination and evaluation.
• Build awareness, skills, and commitment of mentors to cultivate effective developmental relationships to increase the ability to support, coach and guide mentees.
• Describe the far-reaching benefits of a successful program for the CIL, the mentors and mentees, and the community.

Format: Assignments will be given for each of the 15 days. Participants will receive a manual (via the Internet) and will interact via the Internet. Discussion questions and exercises will be posted on the Web site. Participants will devote an average of 3-5 hours per week to assignments and activities.

Instructor: April Reed has been the Volunteer Coordinator at Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) in Phoenix since 2006. She coordinates the ABIL Peer Mentor and General Administrative Volunteer programs, which includes recruiting, training, and matching mentors with consumers working on independent living goals.  Reed facilitates disability presentations to schools, the monthly mentoring and discussion group for mentors, mentees, and consumers and coordinates volunteer activities, including a monthly volunteer group and staffing of community information tables. Previously she was ABIL’s Information and Referral Specialist. Reed is a Licensed Masters Social Worker, receiving her Masters degree in Social Work from Arizona State University in May 2005.

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Implementing Olmstead: ABCs of Nursing Home Transition 

Course Dates: March 4-22, 2013
Registration Deadline: February 15, 2013
Student Orientation: February 27, 2013

Purpose: During this three-week course, participants will learn about how the ADA formed the basis for the Olmstead Decision and the use of the Olmstead Decision to facilitate transition from nursing homes to community-based living. Participants will learn to identify the essential steps in the transition process, barriers to successful transition, and strategies to address the barriers.

Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate

Target Audience: IL Center Staff, especially Transition Facilitators who assist individuals in moving to community-based living.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how the ADA formed the basis for the Olmstead Decision and the use of the Olmstead Decision to facilitate transition for nursing homes.
2. Identify the essential steps in the transition process and their interrelatedness.
3. Explain how the principles of consumer direction, self-determination and consumer control, critical for a person moving into the community from institutional care, may be considered when an individual has a history of psychiatric disabilities or substance abuse.
4. Identify barriers to successful transition and effective strategies to address these barriers including accessing community supports in formal and informal systems.

Instructor: Jane Schiele has worked at Independent Living Centers since 2000.  She was the Statewide Coordinator for the grant funded Nursing Facilities Transition Project in Colorado from 2002 to 2004.  The project was so successful that it is now permanently in Colorado’s legislation and is named the Community Transition Services.  Currently, Jane works at Atlantis Community in Denver, Colorado.  On the national level, Jane has taught at numerous conferences on Nursing Home Transition, co-taught a webinar on IL Skills of Nursing Home Transition and at NCIL’s 2006 annual conference she co-presented on Mental Health Advocacy at Centers for Independent Living.  She was a director of the DVD, “You Have A Choice”.  She also authored a Nursing Home Transition Project Handbook.  She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver in Colorado. 

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Getting on Board: Training for Boards of Directors in Independent Living

Course Dates: May 6-24, 2013
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2013
Student Orientation: May 1, 2013

Purpose: Participants in this three-week course will take a close look at boards of directors of non-profit centers for independent living (CILs). In addition to examining non-profit boards' traditional responsibilities, participants will study challenges that are unique to consumer-controlled organizations that adhere to independent living principles. Topics include setting the organization's course, laying the groundwork or infrastructure to get the CIL where you want it to go, and evaluating your CIL's progress and amending the plan accordingly.

Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate

Target Audience:This course will be particularly relevant to members of boards of directors and administrative staff of all CILs. It may also be of benefit to SILCs that have nonprofit status..

Course Objectives:Participants will be able to discuss the roles and responsibilities of boards of directors, recognize and address conflicts which may arise between IL philosophy and services, and analyze the impact of funding sources on day-to-day activities.

Format: Activities assigned on each of the 15 days may include reading assignments, online group discussions, scenario analysis and dialogue about actual day-to-day problems encountered in overseeing services and assistance in a center. Participants will work with an online manual and will interact via the Internet. Additional readings will be recommended, but not required, to enhance participants' understanding of the topic.

Instructor: Bob Michaels is a long-time consultant and trainer for the independent living field. Michaels provides considerable training and technical assistance to the field through the IL NET program.

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More Than a Mott: SILC Member Orientation to IL History and Philosophy

Course Dates: June 10-28, 2013
Registration Deadline: May 24, 2013
Student Orientation: June 5, 2013

Purpose:  This three-week course orients members of SILCs to the history and philosophy of independent living and applies the principles and philosophy of independent living to situations commonly encountered by statewide independent living councils.

Course Level: Introductory

Target Audience: New members and new staff of Statewide Independent Living Councils.
Course Objectives: Upon completion, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how the Independent Living philosophy provides the foundation for the purpose and duties of a SILC.
2. Explain the history and philosophy of Independent Living.
3. Identify approaches to integrate the principles of IL philosophy into daily SILC activities and practice.
4. Define terms that are frequently used by SILC members and staff.

The course utilizes a participant text and the Internet for participant interaction. The text is designed to provide sufficient background information to make it possible for all students to assume an active role in online discussions. The course uses scenarios and exercises to stimulate discussion and debate. Additional resources will be recommended, but not required, to enhance the participant's understanding of the topic.

Format: The course spans three weeks and uses a website to engage participants in discussion of the content and issues. The instructor is available to lead the forum on the website and for technical assistance throughout the course. Participants are asked to read the assignments, review scenarios that address course content, and engage in the online class message forums.  Participants can access the course website at any time of the day or night. This can be done from any computer with an Internet connection. Participants should plan on spending 1-2 hours each day reading assignments, completing course work and participating in the discussion. 

Instructor: Bob Michaels is a long-time consultant and trainer for the independent living field. Michaels provides considerable training and technical assistance to the field through the IL NET program.

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Financial Management for Centers for Independent Living

Course Dates: August 12-30, 2013
Registration Deadline: July 24, 2013
Student Orientation: August 7, 2013

Purpose: This three-week course is designed to help CIL and SILC leaders manage organization finances more effectively.

Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate

Target Audience: Center and SILC executives, financial managers, and other managers, as well as board members. This is an intermediate level course.

Course Objectives: Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the key components of sound fiscal management, develop effective fiscal reports, prepare and deliver agency and program budgets, identify fiscal risk management controls, and define appropriate roles for board and staff financial oversight.

Format: Participants will read assignments in the online course manual, complete exercises assigned by the instructor, and interact daily with the instructor and other students in an online discussion forum. Students will have an opportunity to learn about and share best practices. Students can ask and receive responses to their questions about sound financial management from the instructor and their peers.

Instructors: Richard Petty and Paula McElwee

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SILC Duties and Responsibilities

Course Dates: September 9-27, 2013
Registration Deadline: August 21, 2013
Student Orientation: September 4, 2013

Information not available at this time.

Instructor: Bob Michaels is a long-time consultant and trainer for the independent living field. Michaels provides considerable training and technical assistance to the field through the IL NET program.

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Resource Development: Developing Fees-for-Service in CILs

Course Dates: September 16-October 4, 2013
Registration Deadline: August 28, 2013
Student Orientation: September 11, 2013

Information not available at this time.

Instructor: Dave Hancox