Native American Independent Living Demonstration Project

As a capacity-building strategy, ILA proposes that the Native American Independent Living Demonstration Project will support Native American Independent Living (IL) Specialists who have similar responsibilities to the non- Native American IL Specialist counterpart in the center for independent living, but with a focus in Indian Country. The Project will provide the five independent living core services including: information and referral; skills training; peer counseling; individual and systems advocacy; and services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, assistance to individuals at risk of entering institutions and transition of youth to post secondary life. In addition, the Native American IL Specialist will conduct activities such as: • Serve as an information and resource specialist about disabilities to the Tribes in their Area• Gather information about IL needs in Indian Country• Gather data and information about disabilities in Indian Country• Gather information about current tribal efforts at providing assistance to tribal members with disabilities• Serve as a liaison between State IL Programs, the Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) and Indian Country• Establish inter-agency coalitions in Indian Country to focus on serving the unmet needs of tribal members with disabilities• Serve as an effective advocate and liaison between ACL programs and services and Indian Country.