WHAT ARE CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (CILS)?
Designed and operated by individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs) provide independent living services for people with disabilities. CILs are at the core of ACL’s independent living programs, which work to support community living and independence for people with disabilities across the nation based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. These programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.
WHAT ARE THE CORE REQUIREMENTS FOR CILs?
The Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that provide IL services. The three Centers in Louisiana provide the following IL core services:
Information and referral;
IL skills training;
Peer counseling;
Individual and systems advocacy; and
Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to post-secondary life.
Promotion of the IL philosophy;
Provision of IL services on a cross-disability basis;
Support for the development and achievement of IL goals chosen by the consumer;
Efforts to increase the availability of quality community options for IL;
Provision of IL core services and, as appropriate, a combination of any other IL service; and
Resource development activities to secure other funding sources.
New Horizon Independent Living Center
Parishes served: Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn.
Southwest Louisiana Independence Center
Parishes served: Lafayette, Leesville, Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Point Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Vermilion, Vernon.
Resources for Independent Living Center
Parishes served: Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Lower St. Martin, Point Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.
