California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) started as a peer support mechanism for executive directors of the fledgling Independent Living Centers in California (ILC) in 1976. Originally the directors were the usual representatives who went to Sacramento to educate public policy makers on issues affecting persons with disabilities.

In 1982, we incorporated as CFILC and formalized our organization. Each member center pays dues based on the amount of Title VII (federal) and AB 204 (state) funding it receives. Full voting members are the Executive Directors (or representative) of an Independent Living Center that meets the requirements of Title VII of the federal Rehabilitation Act.

"Certification" to receive state and federal funding is conducted by the State Department of Rehabilitation. Requirements include:

• the Board of Directors must be 51% persons with significant disabilities,
• the majority of decision makers in the organization must be persons with disabilities,
• consumer control philosophy must be operationalized in all facets of the organization and services provided,
• specific core services must be provided.

Federal law requires the provision of peer support, advocacy, information and referral, and independent living skills training. California law adds two other services, accessible housing referral and personal assistance referral.

Over the years, CFILC grew as the number of ILCs created increased. Currently, out of the 29 operating centers, 26 are dues paying members. In 1994, the members undertook a strategic planning process that reshaped the organization substantially. We identified the organization as a "trade association," that is, the professional organization supporting the ILCs of the state.

More specifically, our "customers" became the Executive Directors, Members of the Boards of Directors of the ILCs as well as staff and volunteers with the centers. The "products" CFILC could logically provide included information, training and peer support that would enable individual centers to improve their effectiveness in creating positive change in their local communities. At the state and federal level, CFILC works to coordinate efforts for positive public policy changes that benefit people with disabilities.

Once the directors of the member agencies agreed to work together to support each other's growth and effectiveness, CFILC received a large grant to implement an infrastructure for systems change among participating ILCs. The three year, 3.3 million dollar grant for Systems Change and Community Education was funded by the State Independent Living Council late in 1996.

This new funding allowed CFILC to hire full time staff for the first time and have an office in Sacramento. The Board of Directors appointed Patricia Yeager as Executive Director in March 1997. As of November 3, 1997 we will have 28 people on staff. We will also have started a pilot project with six ILCs to demonstrate a statewide electronic communications system that includes web sites and video teleconferencing capabilities.

The benefits of this network are already being felt. This legislative session, members of CFILC were able to bring information to their consumers about the move to suspend the maintenance of effort requirements for states (including California) contributing cash match for the state portion of SSI/SSP. This benefit is an important component of the safety net for persons with disabilities unable to work. Through the hard work of consumers and the political contacts of the disability community, this move was averted.

Also, this year, CFILC members were able to compromise and work toward the goal of increasing all centers' ability to serve more consumers by requesting an augmentation of state funds for ILCs. This was a long shot at the outset, but again, through collaboration, we were successful in getting the Governor's approval of a $2.9 million augmentation. ILCs will receive between $58,000 and $169,000 each, based on an increase to the base formula and the percentage of population in each catchment area. These funds will allow Centers to extend services to more remote locations in their individual catchment area, work with those who wish to go to work and increase their education activities in the areas of disaster planning and immigrant services. As an organization, we are looking forward to seeing the fruits of this much-needed investment in the ILC "system" in California.