California Foundation For Independent Living Centers

The donetwork calls to action the california disability communities and allies, through community organizing, advocacy, education, leadership development and coalition building to effect systems change in local, state and national issues. The cfilc disability organizing network is a statewide disability advocacy network of 28 independent living centers and the communities they serve. In each center there is a full-time staff person devoted to increasing civic participation through community organizing, education and advocacy around issues that affect the disability communities. Dept of rehabilitation system change network technical assistance grants are included in donetwork category.

Disability disaster access and resources assists individuals with disabilities and older adults in disaster readiness and recovery. This program provides individuals with information and assistance, disaster readiness training, backup electricity support, personal preparedness planning assistance, public awareness, and assistive technology and durable medical equipment reuse and loan closet referrals; before, during and after a disaster or electricity shut-off. This category includes funding expense from pacific gas & electric co., sce, and other funding and donations related to emergency services, disaster preparedness and disability disaster access and resource centers.

Youth organizing (yo!) develops community organizing activities to build a power base among youth with disabilities so that we can effectively work for change. We engage youth to learn about our history, the disability rights movement, disability pride, organizing and advocacy. Youth with disabilities build community with each other, develop a sense of leadership, a positive disability identity and organize and mobilize each other on issues that affect our lives. We provide opportunities, resources, and information for young adults with disabilities. Disabled youth are able to volunteer with local independent living centers, work on advocacy issues and campaigns that are important to them and find mentors within the disability community. Yo! Works with teens and young adults with disabilities ages 16 to 28. This program of cfilc receives funding from government, foundation, corporate and individuals.

Membership: cfilc started as a peer support mechanism for executive directors of the fledgling independent living centers in california (ilc) in 1976. Originally the directors were the usual representatives who went to sacramento to educate public policy makers on issues affecting persons with disabilities. Since 1978, cfilc members have been meeting to determine how best to provide critical services, and advocate for freedom, choice and equality. Building strong and sustainable independent living centers is one way we have proven our strength. Cfilc moderates a series of communication listservs for ilc executives, management and staff so that they may access and share information and expertise quickly and throughout the state. Ilcs regularly share resources, materials and "know how," which fosters collaboration and innovation. Cfilc produces statewide meetings for members to develop our public policy agenda and actions plan for systems and social change. Our meetings include presentations from funders, foundations, and government agencies and ilc executives sharing expertise, best practices and resources.