Endependence Center
Annual Report
2017
The individual, the community and the Center work
together to create expanded opportunities for persons
with disabilities.
People with disabilities, the community
and the Endependence Center work together
to expand opportunities for persons with
disabilities.
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Board of
Directors
Michael Wang,
President
Christopher Dailey,
Vice-President
Linda Dew,
Treasurer
Chnika Baker
Dorothy Davis
Irving Ferguson
Malcolm B. Higgins, II
Deon Latham
Samuel Painter
Jonathan Pope
Serita Scott
Edmond Turner
Stephen Johnson
Message from Mike Wang,
President
The year 2017 was a very good year for ECI and the disabil-ity community in South Hampton Roads. We completed our 37th year as ECI. Direct services were provided to center partici-pants, improving their quality of life, setting and achieving life goals that resulted in greater community inclusion and independ-ence. Community services and advocacy was provided during the year as we continue to address attitudinal, programmatic and physical barriers faced by the disability community in our quest to have the same opportunities and full equality in our lives. We are challenged to continually change our organization to meet the needs of those more digitally enlightened participants in this 21st century.
As you all know, affordable health care coverage for people with disabilities is at a dangerous crossroads that could result in poor coverage which potentially could cause tragic consequences. Medicaid is under assault, pre-existing conditions may not be covered, expensive health insurance premiums, and higher co-pays and annual
out of pocket costs are a very real possibility. We should all take this very seriously and be sure we are doing all we can with advocacy efforts and holding our legislators accountable.
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Who We Serve
The Endependence Center serves all people with significant disabilities regardless of gender, age, race, income or disability. We are community based and serve people in the following cities: Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach as well as the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton.
Mission Statement
ECI provides services and advocacy that enhances
the opportunity for people with disabilities to
become productive members of their community.
People with disabilities should have the same
opportunities to enjoy their lives and achieve their
personal goals just as everyone else in society.
“There are only two kinds of people in the world: the
disabled, and the yet-to-be-disabled.”
Ed Roberts, Father of Independent Living
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IL Day - Independent Living Day is an important day at the General
Assembly in Richmond. The day is filled with meetings for
participants to speak with legislators about their issues and
concerns for people with disabilities.
Education workshops - This year the Endependence Center
hosted five workshops that focus on rights, special education
services, and community resources for students served under
IDEA. Staff is also available to do presentations for the local schools
on these topics.
Webinars - The Endependence Center continually uses webinars
on various topics as a powerful outreach tool for helping people with
disabilities gain important knowledge on issues of interest to them.
This year the Endependence Center hosted eight webinars.
ECI service presentations - One way Endependence Center staff
help community members understand our services is to attend
community events and perform presentations for the public. Our
staff held presentations for school personnel, public agencies,
military facilities, people with disabilities and families as we worked
to make our services known and help people with disabilities
become supported, engaged and involved in their community.
Waiver workshops – Workshops were held to inform the public of
the significant changes that have taken place with the Medicaid
Waivers program. It is important for this information to be dissemi-
nated to people who need long term support in order to achieve
success in community life.
Advocacy Highlights
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Peer Mentoring
Robert reminds us that living independently
means you can do many things including
exercising your fundamental right to vote.
Information and Referral
Mrs. Vicki Rohraff had education questions regarding her
daughter’s IEP. “I can say for the time we spent on the phone
and the information you gave me, you gave me peace of mind.
I can’t thank you enough.”
Medicaid Services
Jennifer utilizes case management services that
support her goals for socialization by linking her to
resources in the community where she can engage
and interact with people.
Individual and Systems Advocacy
With help from ECI, Neesha’s education is a collaboration of
services and accommodations that cross the usual public
school/private school boundaries to best serve her needs and
help her attain academic success.
Independent Living Skills
Trainings on life skills and individual advocacy, like this
one on advocacy by Ed Turner, are vital not only to the
development of skills that are necessary for successful
community integration but for self confidence as well.
Social Security Benefits Counseling
Ms. Juanita Molina chose the Endependence Center to assist
her with employment. She worked several temporary jobs
while waiting to return to work full-time. Today she works
full-time as a Dental Assistant.
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Pe
er
Me
nto
rin
Peer Mentoring
Peer Mentoring
Finances
Direct Service Personnel
74%
Fixed/Operating15%
Sub-Contractors4%
Insurance/Professional Fees1%
Miscellaneous6%
Expenses
EXPENSES:Total Expenses:$2,106,710
Federal Grants27%
State Grants23%
Local City Grants5%
Fee-for-Services38%
Contributions7%
Revenue
REVENUETotal Income:$2,106,710
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Participants
Endependence Center Participants Served 2,264 Goals Set for Self Achievement 4,247 Goals Achieved for Independent Living 3,712 Community Service Hours 8,553
Revenue Source Amount Percentage Federal Grants 582,570 27.00 State Grants 478,998 23.00 Local City Grants 100,808 5.00 Fee-for-Services 798,042 38.00 Contributions/Fundraising 146,292 7.00 Total $2,106,710 100%
Expenses Categories Amount Percentage Direct Service Personnel 1,546,826 74.00 Fixed/Operating 317,021 15.00 Sub-Contractors 88,103 4.00 Insurance/Professional Fees 25,996 1.00 Miscellaneous 128,764 6.00 Total $2,106,710 100%
Statistics
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The Endependence Center provides advice on disability awareness,
disability etiquette or disability cultural competency in business,
academic environments or non-profit environments. ECI also surveys
public and private facilities to determine economical and efficient
accessibility. Technical training programs are developed for private
and public agencies on compliance with disability related laws.
Medicaid Waiver technical assistance and information is provided to
people with disabilities, other advocates, providers and policy makers.
The Endependence Center maintains a toll free phone number and
has responded to requests from 958 entities and individuals.
ECI works with people with disabilities in need of environmental
modifications and provide assistance in finding ways to adapt their
environment so they can live independently. All home modifications
for accessibility are to improve the safety, independence and quality
of life.
Technical Assistance
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ECI Groups
Independent living
superheroes plan a
successful trip to
Comicon.
The ILS Support Group
meets to discuss equality
and their upcoming goals.
Endependence Center Groups
The Endependence Center has several groups that meet on a
regular basis for different reasons. Some meet for social events,
some focus on specific disability related issues and some pursue
advocacy projects. Our groups host meetings at the
Endependence Center and in the community based on the
preferences of their members. Meetings are publicized in the
Endependence Center’s newsletter and on our website.
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Our staff members are proud to serve on various committees as a
way to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities and affect
policy changes at the local, state and national level.
Access Virginia
All Hazards Advisory Committee Inclusive Emergency Planning Subcommittee
All Hazards Adv. Committee Ready Hampton Roads Work Group
Board of Medical Assistance Services
Chesapeake Bay, National Federation of the Blind
Chesapeake Special Education Advisory Committee
DBHDS Regional Quality Council
DBHDS Regional Support Team
disAbility Law Center of Virginia Board of Directors
DMAS Commonwealth Coordinated Care Advisory Committee
DMAS DD Waivers Advisory Committee
DOJ Settlement Agreement Stakeholder Group
Hampton Roads Community Fnd. Affinity Group Disabilities
HRT Paratransit Advisory Committee
National Council on Independent Living Education Subcommittee
National Council on Independent Living Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee
Norfolk Community Advisory Board
Norfolk Local Emergency Preparedness Committee
Norfolk Mayors Committee for Persons with Disabilities
Norfolk Special Education Advisory Committee
Suffolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority – Family Self-Sufficiency Committee
Virginia Beach Special Education Advisory Committee
Virginia Beach Town Center Blind Lions Club
Virginia Board for People With Disabilities
Virginia Mass Care Task Force and Work Groups
Endependence Center Collaboration for the
Rights of People
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A&W Contractors
Access Virginia
Aiello Enterprises
Amazon
Anthem HealthKeepers, Inc.
Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority
Astro Entertainment
Black and White Cabs, Inc
Byrd’s Eye Photography, Inc.
Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority
City of Norfolk, Office of Emergency Management
Cobb Technologies
Community Direct Services, Inc.
Commonwealth Autism
Compass Youth and Family Services
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Down Syndrome Association of Hampton Roads
Eggleston Services
Irving Ferguson
Chris Frenze
Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT)
Muriel, Gary and Daniel Hecht
Malcolm Higgins, II, Esquire
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Supporters and Donors Oct. 2016 - Sept. 2017
Hope House
Kin and Kids Consulting
Let's Open Doors
Magellan Cares Foundation
Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
Mobility Works
National Seating and Mobility
Nelson International
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Optima Health Family Care
Paul's Heating and Air Conditioning
Ride-Away Handicap Equipment Corp
Amadeo San Antonio
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
Southside Lions Club
United Way of Hampton Roads
VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities Family to Family Network
Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living
Virginia Housing Development Authority
Virginia Beach Public Library - Bayside Branch
Virginia Department for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council
Claire Yoder
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Endependence Center 6300 East Virginia Beach Boulevard Norfolk, VA 23502 757-461-8007 Voice 757-461-7527 TDD www.endependence.org [email protected]
Volunteer Opportunities
The Endependence Center welcomes volunteers to
assist us. Please contact us if you are interested in
working with us.
Thank you to all our sponsors
and donors. We appreciate your
support of independent living.
