Our Services
Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS) incorporates
in its daily activities the Independent Living philosophy of choice, societal
inclusion, and empowerment.
PILS staff members provide information, counseling,
guidance, and understanding when working with PILS consumers, but it is the
consumers themselves who make their own choices toward the pursuit of their
personal objectives.
PILS' Services are provided Free of Charge to
individuals with disabilities and/or their family members, regardless of age,
sex, disability, ethnic or racial background, or religious affiliation. PILS'
materials can be made available in alternate formats. Spanish speaking staff
are available at PILS, as are Sign Language interpreters.
Core Services
Benefits and
Entitlements Advisement
Assistance in understanding
and accessing available resources, such as Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Work Incentive
Program, Medicare, Medicaid, public assistance, food stamps, emergency food
sources, etc.
Information and
Referral
Provides
information on and referrals to services available for individuals with varying
disabilities. Cyber Café and Resource Library available to WILC’s
consumers.
Community Outreach
Presentations to schools,
businesses, civic groups, etc. heighten community awareness and understanding
of disability-related issues. Programs can be tailored to specific needs upon
request.
Peer Advisement
On an individual and/or group
basis, peer advisors offer emotional support and practical advice on
disability-related issues and concerns.
Independent Living Skills
Provides training in everyday
life skills, such as personal assistance services, managing an attendant,
accessing technology, arranging transportation, utilizing adaptive equipment,
wellness, etc.
Individual and
Systems Advocacy
Works with individuals,
community organizations, and state/national networks to promote full inclusion
of people with disabilities into their communities.
Equal Access
Consultation
Educates local businesses and
professionals about how they can/should make their places of business
accessible to persons with disabilities. Addresses physical and attitudinal
barriers and assists the community toward compliance with the law.
Specialized Programs at
PILS
Educational Advocacy
Program
Assists parents of children
with special needs make informed decisions about educational rights, choices,
responsibilities, and long-term outcomes; provides on-going support navigating
the special education system; identifies and links parents with appropriate
community resources; participates in CPSE, CSE and Section 504 meetings; and
provides workshops for parents and professionals on a variety of topics.
Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI) Regional Resource Development Center (RRDC)
This Medicaid Waiver Program
is a cost-effective, community-based alternative to nursing facility placement.
Provides individuals with TBI home and community-based services. WILC is the
TBI RRDC for the Lower Hudson Valley Region.
Nursing Home and
Transition Diversion (NHTD) Waiver RRDC
This Waiver Program assesses,
plans, and supports the transition of nursing home residents, who are eager to
and capable of returning to community living, back to integrated community
living settings of their own choosing. It also assists in the diversion of
persons at risk of being placed in a skilled nursing facility. WILC is the
Lower Hudson Valley Region NHTD RRDC.
Parent Training and
Information Program (PTIP)
Informs parents of children
with special needs about their rights in the education system. Provides
training, advocacy, technical assistance, and information and referral services
in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester
counties.
Client Assistance
Program (CAP)
CAP assists individuals with
disabilities who apply for or receive services from VESID and CBVH to secure
the benefits and programs available to them under the Rehabilitation Act. CAP
provides information, support, and strategies for negotiating VESID, CBVH, and
related service systems. WILC is the CAP Office for the Lower Hudson Valley
Region.
Cyber
Café
Enables PILS consumers who do
not have computers to utilize an accessible computer to access the internet for
information, perform job/career searches, up-date their resumes, etc.
This Website -
www.PutnamILS.org
Provides detailed information
about PILS, WILC, Independent Living, ADA, legislation and issues that concern
persons with disabilities, plus hundreds of links to disability related
organizations, publications, webzines, state and federal government sites, etc.
This Website is accessible to persons with disabilities. This Website
translates into Spanish.
Workshops
Provides workshops/trainings
on numerous topics, i.e., Special Education, ADA, Entitlements, etc. Contact
PILS for current schedule. |
