Meeting People Where They Are:

Partnerships with Independent Living and Assistive 

Technology Programs to Address Homelessness and Housing 

Stability for People with Disabilities and Older Adults

June 29, 2023

Webinar
Welcome

This webinar is hosted by the 

Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC)

Facilitator

Erica McFadden, Director of the Office of Independent 

Living Programs (OILP), US Administration for Community 

Living (ACL)

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Instructions for Zoom

Audio Options

• Use your computer speakers, OR dial in using the 

phone number in your registration email.

• All participants are muted.

Questions and Comments

• Please actively use chat throughout the meeting, 

especially for your comments.

• To ask a presenter a question, please use the Q&A 

function.

Or, send your question or comment via email to 

HSRC@ACL.HHS.GOV 

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This event is being recorded.
Accessibility

Maximizing view of ASL interpreters

• Enlarge view of ASL interpreter by “pinning” them: 

Click on their video window and select the Pin icon.

Screen Reader Users: Reduce unwanted chatter

• Request speech on demand: 

Insert, Spacebar, “S”

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Poll

Does your program have a partnership with your state’s assistive 

technology (AT) program?

• Formal partnership with.

• Provide information and referral.

• Do not currently partner but may in the future.

• Not applicable.

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Poll Results

Follow-Up Chat: 

Please list the names of your agency and 

your AT partner.

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Agenda

• Welcome and Housekeeping

• Setting the Stage

• The Value of Centers for Independent Living in Addressing Homelessness

• Assistive Technology Programs

• Featured Partnership: Continuum of Care – Center for Independent Living –

Assistive Technology Programs based in New York

• Panel Discussion

• Q&A

• Closing

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The Value of Centers for Independent Living in 

Addressing Homelessness

• Best suited to provide access to creative solutions, resources, supportive 

services for people with disabilities.

• Increase in serving people with disabilities and older adults experiencing 

homelessness.

• We all serve the same people.

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What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology (AT) is any 

item or piece of equipment that is 

used to increase, maintain, or 

improve the functional capabilities 

of individuals with disabilities in all 

aspects of life, including at school, 

work, home, and in the community. 
Assistive Technology Act Programs

What is the mission of the 

State and Territory AT Act 

Programs?

The mission of the 56 AT Act Programs is to 

serve people with all types of disabilities, of 

all ages, in all environments, and provide an 

array of services to meet functional needs.

What is the legislative 

authority for the Assistive 

Technology Programs? 

The 21st Century Assistive Technology Act 

or the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, 

as Amended.

How do AT Programs 

serve people throughout the 

lifespan to address needs in 

education, work 

and community living?

The overall goal of the AT Act is to increase 

access to and acquisition of AT devices and 

services through a comprehensive set of 

state level and state leadership activities.
Assistive Technology as a Component for 

Home Accessibility 

• AT, DME, home mods increase 

accessibility of existing housing.

• AT enables people to live safely 

and stably in the community.

• AT for daily living activities, home 

safety, environmental controls, 

and smart home devices.

• AT device demonstrations, device 

loans and financing resources.
Find Your Assistive Technology Act Program

Find the AT Act Program in your state or territory:

https://www.at3center.net/stateprogram
Continuums of Care (CoC)

• Consist of a group of community-wide agencies committed to the goal of 

ending homelessness.

• Are funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which 

awards over $2 billion each year to approximately 400 CoCs.

• Allocate funds to local nonprofits, state and local governments, and public 

housing authorities to fund specific projects designed to reduce 

homelessness.

CoC Program

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Featured Partnership

John Zick, Chief Operating Officer, AIM Independent Living 

Center (CIL)

Melinda Dolezal, TRAID Director, NYS Justice Center 

(AT Program)

Kelsey Addy, MAP, Director of Planning, CARES of NY, 

Inc. (CoC grantee)
 CILs (Centers for Independent Living) are peer-run 

support centers for people with disabilities.

 CILs traditionally don’t operate housing or residential 

services. Instead, they promote integrated, independent 

living opportunities in the community.

 However, finding accessible and affordable housing for 

CIL consumers has always been a challenge, and people 

with disabilities are at increased risk for homelessness. 

Because of this, AIM decided it needed to act and shift 

away from tradition in an innovative way.

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 In 2017, AIM began to explore how it could 

create housing opportunities for people with 

disabilities most in need. We applied for a grant 

opportunity to provide permanent, supportive 

housing to people with disabilities who were 

homeless.

 AIM started a new 501(c)(3) to hold property 

(AIM Community Living), while AIM Independent 

Living Center would provide the onsite 

supportive services.

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 Currently, AIM operates two permanent, 

supportive housing projects. They are 

independent and integrated in the 

community. A third is nearing the startup 

phase, and AIM has secured two additional 

PSH grants, with a target opening of 2025, 

pending capital support.

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 Through the process, AIM had to work with the local CoC 

for support. AIM learned more about the local system of 

homeless services, and we provided our insight and 

expertise on disability.

 The partnership proved so fruitful that AIM was asked to 

join the CoC board, and later on, I was asked to consider 

running for co-chair. I’ve served in that capacity since 

2021.

 As a representative of the CoC, AIM acts in the best 

interests of all people who are homeless, but we continue 

to ensure that the system considers disability in its 

strategies and planning.

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 AIM works hand in hand with CARES of NY, the 

collaborative applicant and partner of the CoC. They act as 

the executive arm of the CoC through their paid staff.

 AIM worked to increase the supply of affordable, accessible 

housing in the state. AIM has sought assistance and 

expertise from the state’s Assistive Technology (AT) 

program, Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals 

with Disabilities (TRAID). This program provides short-term 

loans that, in part, allow people to access their homes.

 These partners are also working to provide solutions to 

homelessness and housing instability for the people of New 

York by making existing housing more accessible.

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 Partnerships can help bridge the gaps in service delivery. 

Understanding the process and red tape of various 

regulations and programs allows for a greater 

understanding of how best to serve shared populations.

 Make a conscious decision to step outside of your 

comfort zone and use your voices to participate in more 

programs and expand the partnership network being 

built.

 If you ensure the right people are at the table and you 

lean upon their expertise, innovative solutions present 

themselves. Then it’s all about making those solutions 

work within the confines of program regulations.

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A resident in AIM's permeant supportive housing said,

"Transitioning from a skilled nursing facility to this 

program gave me opportunities that I had not had 

nor would have had. It gave me the opportunity to 

transition to a nice, safe, and affordable unit. I had 

literally nothing and would not have had anything. 

It is allowing me to be out in public – due to my 

disability, I thought I would always be stuck inside. 

Meeting friends, having the support here has 

certainly helped my mental health."

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Community Collaboration and the Technology 

Related Assistance for Individuals with 

Disabilities (TRAID) Program

June 29, 2023
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TRAID Services
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12 Regional TRAID 

Centers (RTCs)

https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/traid-program
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Assistive Technology
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TRAID Center Statistics

12 TRAID Centers 

• 7 Independent Living Centers

• 3 Human Services Agencies

• 2 State Universities

• 1 University Center of Excellence in Developmental 

Disabilities
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Assistive 

Technology and 

Housing 
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Housing and Community Transition

Help individuals move into independent living options
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TRAID and Collaboration

Each of the 12 TRAID Centers work with various community 

organizations in their region

Collaboration can turn into technical assistance 

• Adirondack Regional Technology Center (Plattsburgh) working with the 

Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Center's Caregiver Support Initiative (CSI)

• Wraparound Services of the Hudson Valley: Project ACT, assists people 

being discharged from nursing homes, hospitals, rehab facilities, etc.
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Home Modification

• TRAID provides temporary AT device loans

– Individuals who utilize AT, family members, etc.

– TRAID can loan some devices like temporary grab bars, door alarms, 

and ramps depending on what each center keeps in their inventory

• Other resources in New York for home modification 

include:

– Waiver programs

– Low interest assistive technology loan programs

– Community organizations
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Other Information
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Contact Information

Melinda Dolezal

 Email: Melinda.Dolezal@justicecenter.ny.gov

 Phone: 518-549-0220

www.justicecenter.ny.gov
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Engaging Centers for 

Independent Living in 

Continuums of Care
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CARES of NY, Inc. is a non-profit 

organization that empowers 

communities to end 

homelessness through 

community planning, program 

data, supportive housing, and 

awareness-building.
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t h e

CARES 

Approach

Coordinated 

Entry Lead & 

Support

Homeless 

Management 

Information 

System (HMIS)

Supportive 

Housing 

Provider

Collaborative 

Applicant / 

Planning Lead 

Unified Funding 

Agency Lead
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What is a 

Continuum 

of Care 

(CoC)?
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CoCs are designed to promote a community-wide 

commitment to end homelessness 

through 

A federal 

funding 

stream 

through 

HUD 

Housing and Urban Development

and

A

Planning 

Body
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A federal 

funding 

stream 

through 

HUD 

Housing and Urban Development

Program funding 

dedicated to homeless 

housing and services

who

can apply?

Non-profits, states, Tribes 

and Tribally Designated 

Housing Entities and local 

governments are encouraged 

to apply
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Continuum of Care-Funded Programs

Permanent Supportive 

Housing 

Rapid Re-housing

Transitional Housing 

Joint Transitional Housing & Rapid Rehousing Projects 

Support Services Only
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A

Planning 

Body

• Members

• Board

• Committees

The CoC Planning body is a set of 

community stakeholders who work 

collaboratively on a year-round basis to 

address homelessness for their area.

The CoC planning body makes 

decisions about local CoC 

funding for homeless programs 
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5 county region in the Southern Tier of New York State

Consists of:

• Board

• Homeless & Housing Task 

Forces

• Planning Committee

• Rank & Review Committee

• Coordinated Entry 

Committee

• Regional Racial Justice 

Advisory Committee
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Ensuring a diverse board

that is reflective of the community served 

Housing and Urban 

Development 

Requires:

The CoC Board must be representative of relevant 

organizations and/or projects serving homeless 

populations and subpopulations within the 

Continuum of Care's geographic area. 
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Ensuring a diverse board

that is reflective of the community served 

Benefits:

Fresh perspective = good level setting questions

Gain representative input on how to prioritize CoC 

funding

Expand collaboration to meet housing needs of those 

experiencing homelessness and with disabilities

Share best practices from different systems of care
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Interested in learning more?

Please contact:

Kelsey Addy: kaddy@caresny.org Or call: 

518-489-4130

caresny.org

caresny.org/steps/
Chat

How have you partnered with your state’s Centers for 

Independent Living?

https://acl.gov/programs/centers-independent-living/list-cils-and-spils
Q&A
HSRC Website

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acl.gov/HousingAndServices 
August 7 HSRC Webinar

Topic: Accessibility is integral to housing 

stability, and partnerships make it 

happen

Register: https://tinyurl.com/22z7rcya

To receive HSRC updates and webinar announcements, send 

an email to: hsrc@acl.hhs.gov. We also welcome your ideas and 

success stories! 

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Acknowledgment

This presentation was supported by the U.S. Administration for Community Living 

through a contract with Mission Analytics Group, Inc. (Contract number 

HHSP233201500060I) which subcontracted the work to USAging. The views 

expressed do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the 

Administration for Community Living / Department of Health and Human Services.
Appendix
Centers for Independent Living (CIL)

• Also known as Independent Living Centers (ILCs)

• Provide independent living services for people with 

disabilities

• Support community living

• Core programs include peer support, independent living 

skills training, transition services and more

• Possible housing partners

• Designed and operated by individuals with disabilities

• Cross-disability focus

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