RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

through the Peer Mentoring Program, identify persons interested in leaving a nursing home;

through the Nursing Facility Transition Program, coordinate a person returning to the community;

via the Community Choices Program provide personal care services;

teach the individual how to ride fixed route transportation to enhance his or her ability to move throughout the community;

and, by way of the Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Program, assist the individual in going to work.

In 2001, MCIL (Making Choices for Independent Living) returned 17 people to the community from nursing homes. As part of its Independent Living Partnership grant, MCIL developed the publication, "Moving Home: A Resource Guide for Returning to the Community." In addition, MCIL provided resource material to the state of Maryland for the creation of the web-based, statewide accessibility housing registry. Also, in 2001, MCIL created its own web site which you are visiting now, and we thank you!

During this same year, the sixth CIL (Center for Independent Living) opened in Maryland. Named, The Freedom Center, it serves Frederick and Carroll Counties, and was begun by an MCIL staff member. MCIL is proud to have played an integral part in its creation.

During 2002, MCIL, having grown to a staff of seventeen, moved to location with more office space, and also returned 17 more people to the community. MCIL became or continued to be represented on the Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard County Commissions on Disabilities, the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council, and the Marylalnders for Civil Rights of Persons with Disabilities. With its diverse programs and services, MCIL has become a "one stop shop." MCIL can, through the Peer Mentoring Program, identify persons interested in leaving a nursing home; through the Nursing Facility Transition Program, coordinate the preparation necessary when a person returns to the community; via the Community Choices Program, provide personal care services; through our Transportation program,teach how to ride fixed-route transportation (buses, subway, Light Rail) to improved his or her ability to move through the community; and, by way of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outrreach Program, assist the individual in going to work.

MCIL, originally incorporated as a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in 1981, celebrated its 20th year as a CIL in 2002.  In compliance with its federal mandate to be consumer-controlled and cross-disability oriented, MCIL has a majority of people with disabilities at the board, staff and volunteer levels. 

MCIL, originally BCHD, was formed in 1978 by three people, two of whom, Jack Prial and Bill Welsh, were disabled, and Jim Fitzpatrick, all employees of the Maryland Rehabilitation Center (MRC).  As Baltimore Citizens Housing for the Disabled (BCHD), they were dedicated to increasing the accessible housing stock for Baltimore's disabled citizens as well as getting people out of nursing homes. In his honor, the Jack Prial Advocacy Award is annually presented by MCIL to a deserving advocate.  A photo of Jack is on the cover of our agency brochure. 

In 1981, BCHD became the first federally funded CIL in Maryland. Located at MRC, the center hired its first director, an attendant care coalition was established as was an accessible housing list.  Five people were de-institutionalized.

In 1985, BCHD became MCHD (Maryland Citizens for Housing for the Disabled) and the organization moved from MRC to Sherwood Road in Baltimore County. Statewide advocacy efforts began and grant funding was received to provide temporary housing for homeless disabled people. At the end of the 1980's, MCHD was given the Organization of the Year award by the Maryland Rehabilitation Association.

MCHD became the Maryland Center for Independent Living in 1990, and in 1996, became MCIL Resources for Independent Living. The 1990's were characterized by a new director in 1992, an increase in advocacy and the establishment of two satellite offices, Potomac Highlands Center for Independent Living (now Resources for Independence, Inc.) in Western Maryland and the Center for L.I.F.E. (Living Independently for Everyone, Inc.) in Southern Maryland, both of which became free standing, non-profit organizations. MCIL is proud to have been directly responsible for creating 3 of the 5 CILs, as of 2001, in Maryland.

Accessibility surveys were conducted for ADA Title III violations. MCIL became a founding member of Access MD and of the MD Disabilities Forum. Several grants were obtained, with MTA to provide travel training, and with Baltimore City to do Home Ownership counseling. We continue to get people out of nursing homes, having returned 16 people to the community in 1998 (ILRU). 

On July 28, 2000, MCIL was presented the President's Award for outstanding work in local grassroots organizing and dedication to national advocacy activities that promote and protect the rights of all people with disabilities by the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL).

The last few months have brought more changes to MCIL. The corporate name has changed from MCIL Resources for Independent Living to M.C.I.L. (which stands for Making Choices for Independent Living, Inc.). Also, we were recently awarded two contracts:  a five year renewable contract from the Social Security Administration to provide Benefits Planning for SSA beneficiaries who wish to go to work and a three year renewable contract from the Maryland Department of Human Resources to provide case management services to non-elderly individuals in, or at risk of entering, nursing homes.

In fiscal year 2001, MCIL, applying on behalf of all of the CILs in Maryland, was awarded a three year grant from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS).  The grant, entitled Independent Living Partnership, is to provide outreach and education to people in nursing homes who want to live in the community.  This grant coincides with the State of Maryland receiving a grant from CMS, entitled Nursing Facility Transitions Project, which allows for actual transitioning of people out of nursing homes.  All of Maryland's CILs are involved in these two grants.  MCIL now has a peer mentor and a housing transition specialist that will work together to free our brothers and sisters.

These grants allowed MCIL to move to a larger location giving us space to grow.

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