SILC STANDARDS AND INDICATORS
Preamble
These standards and indicators are intended to assist states to fully implement the requirements outlined in Title VII of the Rehab Act.
They are intended as a guide for states in administering programs and services in compliance with the Act and Independent Living values and principles.
Definitions
Consumer Control- The term “consumer control” means, with respect to a SILC, that the SILC vests power and authority in individuals with disabilities regarding decision making, SPIL Development and approval, establishment of policies, direction, management and operations of the SILC.
Disability-The term “disability” means a person who has a physical, mental, cognitive, and/or sensory impairment, which substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities as a record of such impairment or is regarded as having such impairment.
SILC Philosophy
Standard #1
The purpose of the SILC is to promote the philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.
SILC membership shall always remain at or above 51% people with significant disabilities who represent a broad range of disabilities and are knowledgeable about CIL’s and Independent Living services
Indicators
1. The SILC will provide statewide representation, represent a broad range of individuals with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, and consist of individuals who are knowledgeable about CILs and Independent Living Services
2. The majority of voting SILC membership shall consist of individuals with disabilities who are not employed by any state agency or CIL
3. In a state in which one or more projects are carried out under section 121, at least one representative of the directors of the projects; additional members may include other representatives from centers for independent living, parents and guardians of individuals with disabilities, advocates of and for individuals with disabilities, representatives from private businesses, representatives from organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities, and other appropriate individuals
The SILC will develop a method for recruiting applicants and receiving applications and, on at least an annual basis, forward a list of qualified, knowledgeable, and diverse candidates to be appointed by the Governor or designee.
The SILC will provide training to its members, CILs, other providers, and consumers on the Rehab Act and Independent Living
- Minimum Standard: once a year
- Acceptable Standard: twice a year
- Optimal Standard: three times a year
The SILC shall provide each newly appointed member with training and orientation prior to voting.
Every SILC shall complete and submit an assessment of the SILC training needs to RRCEP, RTC (ILRU) on an annual basis.
Standard #2
SILC has an active and equal role in the development of the State Plan
Indicators
1. A majority vote of the SILC membership is required to approve the State Plan
2. Any revisions and changes made to the SPIL by the DSU Director, Staff, SILC Chair, SILC Committee or any other entity will be submitted and approved by the full SILC, prior to inclusion in the final approved SPIL
Standard #3
The SILC has the freedom to advocate for issues of its own choice as evidenced in the state plan and in a list of advocacy issues that will be developed annually
Indicators
1. The SILC will develop a list of advocacy issues on an annual basis,
2. Minutes of SILC meetings, public forums, 704 Reports, member activity reports will be collected and compiled at least annually to demonstrate evidence of advocacy action and accomplishments
SILC RELATIONSHIP WITH CILS
Standard #1
In partnership with CILs, the SILC will maximize cooperation, coordination, and working relationships to strengthen independent living within the state.
Indicators
1. The SILC will have as a voting member at least one CIL director chosen by the directors of CILs that comply with Section 725 in that state.
2. The SILC will provide opportunities for CILs to acquire technical assistance and training.
3. The SILC will participate only as technical assistants in RSA site reviews at the request of CIL directors.
Standard #2
The SILC will collaborate with CILs in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of the SPIL.
Indicators
1. The SILC will work with CILs to conduct public forums and other mechanisms to gather information from people with disabilities in the development of the state plan.
2. The SILC will utilize CIL 704 reports and other tools to identify the trends for development of the state plan.
3. The SILC will cooperate, collaborate, and coordinate with CILs in the development of the design of the statewide network of CILs.
4. The SILC and CILs will collaborate on the design and implementation of tools to assess consumer satisfaction with the state plan.
Autonomy
Standard # 1:
The SILC shall not be established as an entity within a state agency.
Indicators:
The SILC
- Develops its own vision and mission statement
- Reviews and monitors its own progress
- Controls the appointment process by recommending members
- Has freedom to advocate about issues of its own choice
- Develops statutory authority, procedures and other systematic methods for gaining, maintaining and protecting its autonomy
- Accounts for its decisions and actions
The SPIL
- Describes the status of the council and how that status demonstrates the autonomy of the council
- Has a code of ethical behavior for council members
- Has a conflict of interest policy for council members
- Has a plan for training/mentoring of new members
- Is responsible and accountable for the actions of the SILC
Standard # 2
The SILC shall prepare, in conjunction with the DSU, a plan for the provision of such resources as may be necessary and sufficient to carry out the functions of the council.
Indicators:
The SILC
- Develops, adopts and controls its own budget
- Develops, implements and maintains sound fiscal policies and procedures
Standard # 3
Each SILC shall, consistent with state law, supervise and evaluate personnel necessary to carry out the functions of the council.
Indicators:
The SILC develops, implements and maintains sound personnel policies and procedures in accordance with its organizational structure
Standard # 4
The SILC shall jointly develop and sign (in conjunction with the DSU) the SPIL.
Indicators:
The SILC:
- Develops, implements and monitors its SPIL
- Chairperson shall sign the SPIL upon a majority vote of the council
- Has a process for reviewing and determining if the SPIL has been implemented
SILCs as System Advocates
Standard #1:
The Council shall direct and develop the resources (including but not limited to funds, staff, volunteers, council members, and partners) necessary to implement advocacy for systems change.
Indicators:
1. The Council will identify in the SPIL the resources to carry out advocacy efforts towards systems change.
2. The Council will identify in the SPIL a contingency process to address unexpected emerging issues.
3. The Council will identify in the SPIL the process of expanding resources to carry out advocacy efforts which are addressed by the SPIL but are unfunded due to limited SILC resources.
4. The Council will report the percentage of their resources being used to implement advocacy efforts for systemic change.
Standard #2:
The Council will develop and implement advocacy efforts that promote the IL philosophy and results in meaningful and measurable systemic change.
Indicators:
1. The Council will identify priority systems change issues through statewide consumer input.
2. The Council will develop a specific action plan for implementation of advocacy efforts towards their priority systems change issues.
3. The Council will establish a method for annual evaluation of the effectiveness of their action plan.
Standard #3:
The Council will develop and strengthen the network of CILs, including supporting their advocacy efforts.
Indicators:
1. The Council will work with the CILs to create statewide advocacy efforts towards systemic change.
2. The Council will share with CILs statewide consumer input, including input from consumers in unserved and underserved areas and populations, regarding systems change issues that need to be addressed by the network of CILs.
3. The Council will jointly plan with the CILs and DSU to determine systems change issues.
Standard #4:
The Council shall set forth the steps that will be taken to maximize the cooperation, coordination, and working relationships with other advocates working towards systemic change.
Indicators:
1. The Council will work with the CILs to establish statewide advocacy networks that partnership with coalitions and others who are addressing common systemic change issues.
2. The Council will identify the partners in the SPIL that they are working with in advocacy efforts to address systemic change issues.
3. The Council will outreach to additional organizations and partners in order to effectively address system change issues.
4. The Council will provide evidence in their role of the partnerships in the resource plan and evaluation process.
Making Sense of SILC Standards & Indicators:
Using Logic Models to Understand, Promote & Evaluate the Work of a SILC
What Are Logic Models?
Logic models can be used to make the relationship between the SILC’s activities and the expected results of those activities explicit. They provide a tool for examining the assumptions/logic of various activities and outcomes, or expected results. In other words, logic models are useful in understanding why certain activities are expected to lead to certain outcomes by drawing a picture of “how it works”. It is hoped that the identification of SILC objectives, outlining of program activities, and the demonstration of intermediate and ultimate outcomes displayed in these logic models will assist a SILC in better conceptualizing their work.
Why Use Logic Models?
Logic models can help a SILC visualize how the underlying rationale and objectives lead to the creation of activities, which could potentially lead to intermediate (e.g. the SILC will annually develop a list of advocacy issues) and eventually ultimate (e.g. vigorous efforts are underway to achieve each of the objectives specified in the SPIL) outcomes that have been identified as the goals of the SILC. Logic models are also helpful in identifying projects/activities that are critical to goal attainment, are redundant, or are inconsistent with program goals.
- Understand the Work of a SILC
Logic models can also be very useful for SILC staff and council members because they clearly express the theory behind the various activities in an easy-to-read visual format. This can help to build a common understanding among SILC staff and council members of how the activities are expected to work. Through reading and understanding the models, SILC staff and council members can see why activities are undertaken as well as how those activities are expected to lead to desired changes in the community. Through understanding program logic models, staff and council members can gain a better understanding of their role within the SILC and how they are a contributor to the SILC’s goals. Going through the process of building a logic model for a SILC program can promote team building and communication through gaining common understandings of the SILC’s program and expectations.
- Promote the Work of a SILC
Just as logic models are useful for educating SILC staff and council members, they are also useful for educating those outside of the SILC program. Having a logic model to show to others makes it easy to articulate what the SILC is for and why it acts as it does. Having a logic model for a SILC may be helpful for SILC staff and council members when they seek to explain their purpose and how they would like to work with other organizations and groups in the community.
- Evaluate the Work of a SILC
Logic models are also useful for evaluation. More specifically, a logic model is helpful in designing process and outcome evaluations on a SILC program. A process evaluation is the practice of examining how activities are carried out – whether activities are implemented as designed, whether they reach the people they were meant to target, etc. Process evaluation is concerned only with what happens while the activity is being carried out – not with the results of the activity having been conducted. The results of activities are examined in outcome evaluation. Outcome evaluation looks at the effects an activity may have in the community – what changes may take place due to the activity having been carried out. If a SILC is interested in evaluating their effectiveness, more detailed information regarding these evaluations should be sought once the SILC has developed their program logic model.
SILC Standards & Indicators Logic Models
The logic models that have been created here are a reflection of the “SILC Standards and Indicators” developed at the SILC Congress in 2004. Since not all of the models for the standards and indicators were able to fit on one page, you will find a separate logic model for each SILC Objective: SILC Philosophy, SILC Relationship with CILs, SILC Autonomy, and SILC as System Advocates. Intermediate and ultimate outcomes have been created and inputted as example outcomes. Each logic model has the same ultimate outcome because the standards and indicators of each SILC objective should all lead to the same ultimate outcome.
Recommendations for Further SILC Logic Model Development
- Develop Ultimate & Intermediate Outcomes. Intermediate and ultimate outcomes can often help link action to purpose. Specifying these outcomes may be useful in helping SILC staff see how the activities and standards logically lead to the ultimate outcomes they wish to achieve. It is sometimes helpful to think of intermediate outcomes as short-term outcomes and ultimate outcomes as long-term outcomes. Usually, the first step to developing any logic model is clarifying ultimate outcomes and working backwards through the rest of the model. Examples have been inputted into the logic models.
- Develop Clear Objectives. Having clear objectives or a clear underlying rationale that leads to your ultimate goals/outcomes are critical. SILCs are mandated to have certain standards and activities as outlined in the Rehabilitation Act but the act does not specify why these activities are important for achieving certain goals. What is the objective at hand behind the SILC’s activities? Make the wording of your SILC objectives in your logic model clearer. To do this you may need to identify the underlying rationale between the objective and the activities. For example, in the “SILC Relationship with CILs” logic model, what type of relationship does a SILC need to have with CILs in order to successfully meet standards and outcomes? (e.g. collaborative working relationship) Specifying this may help a SILC understand better how to act.
- Identify Important Activities. Now that you have included all of a SILCs mandates into the logic models, next you will want to consider the goals of your SILC and decide if there are other activities not currently in the models yet are critical in order to reach your goals. It could be helpful to add in activities that make the mandated work easier to do and goals more reasonable to accomplish. For example, based on your standards for a SILCs relationship with CILs, having a collaborative working relationship seems to be an important aspect of meeting identified standards. Since having a collaborative relationship with CILs has not yet happened for some SILCs, you will need to specify what activities your SILC will become engaged in, in order to make this a reality (e.g. convene bi-monthly venues where the SILC and CILs will create goals and objectives for the SPIL).
- Be Careful With Wording. Sometimes choosing the right words to place in your logic model can be tricky. Outcomes should be worded in ways that display what you hope to see. Inputting statements that focus on what you do not want to see does not bring you closer to meeting desirable goals.
Resources for Creating Logic Models
- Computer Software. The logic models that have been created for you were created using Inspiration software. Inspiration software can be downloaded (http://www.inspiration.com) easily. Although the software is not free you can download a 30-day free trial from their website. Inspiration software is a very easy drawing program developed for K-12 teachers and classroom instruction. This software makes creating logic models easy but you can also just as easily use Microsoft Word for similar work.
- More Information on Logic Models. More detailed information on logic model development can be found in the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s Logic Model Development Guide (2004), which is available for free at: http://www.wkkf.org/Pubs/Tools/Evaluation/Pub3669.pdf. This guide is a step-by-step, user-friendly guidebook and comprehensive tool that explains the process of logic model development with several follow-along examples.
- Questions. Please direct questions concerning this report to Tiffeny R. Jimenez, M.A. of the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council, tiffeny@misilc.org, (517)-371-4872.