Congratulations NCIL Advocates! After decades of grassroots advocacy and months of negotiations, our day is finally here.
As we previously reported, leaders from the House and Senate have introduced the Bipartisan and Bicameral Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). We have recently learned that the Senate is expected to take this bill up tomorrow, and passage in the House is expected very soon after the Senate completes its action.
The Rehabilitation Act is contained in WIOA. Specifically, improvements to Independent Living in this bill include:
- Independent Living Programs will move to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- A fifth core service will be added: transition
- SILC activities will be improved and include resource development
- SPIL sign-off will now include CIL Directors
- States will choose their ‘designated state entity’ (formerly known as the DSU)
Essentially, all of the improvements to the Independent Living program in S. 1356 are included in the new bill.
Again, congratulations on a big win! Your advocacy has paid off. NCIL will be keeping you informed on this bill as it progresses and what the next steps will be for America’s Independent Living Program.
