Colorado SILC

"A Leading Authority on Independent Living in Colorado"

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2009
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SILC Contact:
Mark Cloer, SILC Coordinator 719-271-9923

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Contact:
Judy Neal, IL Coordinator 303-866-4645

Colorado Statewide Independent Living Council Elects new chair and appoints committee chairs for 2009-10 year

The Colorado Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is an advisory body that is appointed by the Governor to orchestrate the vision of Independent Living services for all Coloradoans with disabilities. Currently there are 10 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) around the state. This Council works with the CIL directors and the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to develop and write a three year plan of goals for increasing access and independence for people with disabilities. The Council is housed within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

The new chair person for the upcoming year is Linda LaPointe, Rye Colorado, Owner and CEO of Senior Options & Services, LLC. Ms. LaPointe stated, “This year, my goals include fostering a better working relationship between the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the 10 Centers for Independent Living and the SILC so that Coloradoans with disabilities get quality independent living services." Julia Beems, Program Outreach Coordinator with Assistive Technology Partners in Denver, has been chosen as Chair elect and will assume the leadership of the State Plan committee.

In addition, new committee chairpersons have been appointed. Those include Billy Allen, High School Vocational Education Teacher at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, as Treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee; Carol Hunter, Granby, Director of Partners for Access to the Woods as chair of the Public Policy committee and Cindy Powell, Information Specialist, Rocky Mountain ADA Center in Colorado Springs, will take over as chair of the SILC membership committee.

The SILC will hold 5 meetings over the year either in Denver or Colorado Springs and will be engaged in a formal assessment process to examine the needs of Coloradoans living with disabilities. Focus groups and interviews will be the focus of the year so that by June of 2010, the next three year State Plan for Independent Living may be submitted to the federal government. For more information about the SILC, its meeting schedule or for membership information, please go to www.coloradosilc.org.

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