| FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION |
WESTCHESTER INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER ("THE CENTER") IS THE LEADING COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILIITIES BY PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL SELF DETERMINATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIETAL CHANGE AND FULL ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR COMMUNITY. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A |
THE INDEPENDENT LIVING (IL) SERVICES ARE THE CORE SERVICES THAT ARE GEARED TOWARDS PROMOTING SELF HELP, EQUAL ACCESS, PERSONAL GROWTH AND EMPOWERMENT. IL SERVICES INCLUDE: INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS ADVISEMENT, PEER ADVISEMENT, DEAF SERVICES AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING TEAM WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO MUTUALLY EXPLORE THEIR INDEPENDENT LIVING NEEDS AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. PEER ADVISORS SERVE AS GUIDES TO OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND PRACTICAL ADVICE ON DISABILITY RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS WHILE THE INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPS THEIR GOALS. THEY MEET ON AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP BASIS TO HELP FACILITATE THE TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. THE CENTER PROVIDES TRAINING FOR EVERYDAY LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORT, JOB SEEKING, MONEY MANAGEMENT, WHEEL CHAIR MAINTENANCE AND ACCESSING TECHNOLOGY. NY CONNECTS IS A LOCALLY BASED "NO WRONG DOOR" SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES ONE STOP ACCESS TO FREE OBJECTIVE, COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES NEEDING LONG TERM CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT. OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN NURSING HOMES AND HEALTH HOME FACILITIES TO HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B |
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CENTER ASSISTS IN RELOCATING PEOPLE FROM OUT-OF-STATE FACILITIES TO COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL AND DAY PROGRAMS AND HELP INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY RESIDING IN NURSING HOMES, PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES OR IN THEIR FAMILY HOMES TO BE RE-SITUATED INTO MORE APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY SETTINGS. THE NURSING HOME TRANSITION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM IDENTIFIES, ASSESSES AND PLANS THE TRANSITION OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO ARE EAGER TO AND CAPABLE OF RETURNING TO COMMUNITY LIVING SETTINGS OF THEIR CHOOSING AND ASSIST IN THE DIVERSION OF PERSONS AT RISK OF BEING PLACED IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY. MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON PROJECT GOALS ARE TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDULAS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MOVING FROM AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING TO COMMUNITY-BASED SETTING. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE SERVICES SHOULD THEY WANT TO TRANSITION OUT OF A NURSING HOME. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C |
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION READINESS TRAINING PROGRAM IS BASED ON SELF-AWARENESS, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND EMPOWERMENT.ITS CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND SUPPORTS THAT WILL ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGE THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROCESS THROUGH CLASSROOM TRAINING AND ONE-ON-ONE PEER MENTORING AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES. THE PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION PROGRAM OFFERS WORKSHOPS AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO HELP THEM GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE CENTER DEVELOPED CURRICULUM AND PERFORMED TRAINING SESSIONS FOR THE WHITE PLAINS, NY POLICE DEPARTMENT ON DISABILITY AWARENESS, BASIC SIGN LANGUAGE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILTITIES. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D |
CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS A TYPE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY FOR NEW YORKERS WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVING SERVICES FROM FEDERALLY FUNDED VOCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCIES. MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES THROUGH PEER ADVOCACY AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY TO PERSONS LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY. THE PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION PROGRAM OFFERS WORKSHOPS AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO HELP THEM GAIN THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE CENTER DEVELOPED CURRICULUM AND PERFORMED TRAINING SESSIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON DISABILITY AWARENESS, BASIC SIGN LANGUAGE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B |
THE 990 IS PREPARED BY AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM. AFTER MANAGEMENT HAS REVIEWED FORM 990, IT IS SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL PRIOR TO SUBMISSION. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C |
THE CENTER CURRENTLY HAS IN PLACE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE BOARD MANDATES THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND DISCLOSE ANY POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICT THAT MAY EXIST. IF A POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS, HE OR SHE SHALL LEAVE THE MEETING DURING DISCUSSION OF, AND THE VOTE ON, THE TRANSACTION INVOLVING THE POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A |
THE BOARD DETERMINES COMPENSATION BY REVIEWING APPROPRIATE COMPARABLE DATA TO DETERMINE THE REASONABLENESS OF THE COMPENSATION BEING CONSIDERED. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 |
THE 990 IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ON GUIDESTAR.ORG, THE 990 AND CHAR500 ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON CHARITIESNYS.COM. IN ADDITION, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, 990 AND OTHER POLICIES OF THE CENTER ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.