VISION

The Rehabilitation Research Training Center on Independent Living Management is a leader in assisting Independent Living Centers in becoming managerially, financially and programmatically viable through conducting research, providing training and information for the national network of CIL's, policy makers, administrators, and advocates in their efforts of improving the quality of life for people with disabilities in their communities.

MISSION

The RRTC-ILM assists CIL's in their efforts in becoming managerially, financially and programmatically viable by applying management research and training via nationally recognized experts.

Goal 1. Provide a national CIL database of programs, policies, funding sources and organizational data pertinent to running a successful CIL.

Objectives:

1. Survey the national network of CIL's.
2. Establish a fully accessible database.
3. Provide national access to the database.
4. Maintain and update database.

Goal 2. Identify best practices and replicate models of alternative funding options for CIL's.

Objectives:

1. Survey CIL's financial resources and innovative sources.
2. Post results on national CIL database.
3. Identify best practices for CIL business strategies.
4. Replicate the business development model.
5. Test and evaluate the business development model.
6. Publish results.

Goal 3. Define best practices of services for youth [and elderly] with disabilities in transition, and disseminate successful models to the national network of CIL's.

Objectives:

1. Survey CILs for transition models throughout the country.
2. Developed manuals on models.
3. Develop training programs relating to models.
4. Disseminate models to the national network of CIL's.

Goal 4. Find, replicate and disseminate models of best practices to CIL's to improve organizational effectiveness and improve the core competency skills of geographically dispersed and culturally / linguistically diverse staff.

Objectives:

1. Assess CIL management needs and experience.
2. Identify useful practices and integrate with existing models.
3. Develop training materials.
4. Disseminate training program.

Goal 5. Locate and disseminate nationally CIL and vocational rehabilitation agency policies related to collaborations, and design strategies for innovative partnerships that promote employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

Objectives:

1. Conduct national survey of VR programs.
2. Replicate models of successful collaborations in manuals.
3. Disseminate models to national stakeholders of independent living.

Goal 6. Provide instruments, curricula, methodologies, resource guides, and research findings to stakeholders of the independent living national network, including RSA training and technical assistance providers, policy makers, administrators and advocates.

Objectives:

1. Develop training materials based on existing literature, best practices in CIL's and the RRTC-ILM's research findings.
2. Disseminate training materials in accessible formats.
3. Deliver training programs through web-based, video-conference and teleconference capabilities.
4. Develop and deliver train-the-trainer programs nationwide.

The RRTC-ILM will accomplish these goals by embracing, supporting and emulating the principles of the independent living philosophy and by providing direction to CIL management and staff.