1. Resources for Independence, VisaliaResources for Independence, Visalia
►NameName:: Resources for IndependenceResources for Independence
Central Valley, VisaliaCentral Valley, Visalia
►Location/mailing addressLocation/mailing address : 220 N. Santa: 220 N. Santa
Fe Ave. Visalia, CA 93292Fe Ave. Visalia, CA 93292
►Website addressWebsite address::
http://www.ricv.org/index.htmlhttp://www.ricv.org/index.html
►Type of OrganizationType of Organization : Non-profit: Non-profit

2. Resources for Independence,Resources for Independence,
Central ValleyCentral Valley
►Resources for Independence, Central ValleyResources for Independence, Central Valley
is made up of 5 branches throughout theis made up of 5 branches throughout the
Central Valley and has been servingCentral Valley and has been serving
individuals with disabilities since 1976.individuals with disabilities since 1976.
►Kings, Tulare, Merced, Madera and FresnoKings, Tulare, Merced, Madera and Fresno
County.County.

3. ►RICV partners with individuals and theRICV partners with individuals and the
community to encourage people withcommunity to encourage people with
disabilities to be in control of their livesdisabilities to be in control of their lives
and to live more independently throughand to live more independently through
a diverse range of choices anda diverse range of choices and
opportunities.opportunities.
►Resources for Independence, CentralResources for Independence, Central
ValleyValley
Mission StatementMission Statement

4. Vision StatementVision Statement
►The board of directors holds a vision of whatThe board of directors holds a vision of what
will be different for people with disabilities aswill be different for people with disabilities as
a result of RICV’s resources.a result of RICV’s resources.
►This “vision” is comprised of 6 goals, eachThis “vision” is comprised of 6 goals, each
with certain objectives that must be met inwith certain objectives that must be met in
order to reach those goals.order to reach those goals.

5. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 1-Goal 1-
►People with disabilities will be fully equalPeople with disabilities will be fully equal
and naturally accepted in a world where alland naturally accepted in a world where all
people are considered natural andpeople are considered natural and
accepted. We will partner in all civicaccepted. We will partner in all civic
activities across the Valley with full inclusionactivities across the Valley with full inclusion
and equality. Disabilities will be seen as aand equality. Disabilities will be seen as a
part of life by both people with and withoutpart of life by both people with and without
disabilities.disabilities.

6. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 2-Goal 2-
►Technology is designed to be used and willTechnology is designed to be used and will
be accessible, available and affordable forbe accessible, available and affordable for
everyone (universal design).everyone (universal design).
Goal 3-Goal 3-
►Employment is key to independence. TheEmployment is key to independence. The
employment rate of all people will beemployment rate of all people will be
equitable, with fair pay and without bias.equitable, with fair pay and without bias.

7. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 4-Goal 4-
► Children with disabilities and their families willChildren with disabilities and their families will
be treated with respect by their peers, andbe treated with respect by their peers, and
community. Self esteem is “under construction”community. Self esteem is “under construction”
here.here.
Goal 5-Goal 5-
► Persons with a disability in the Central ValleyPersons with a disability in the Central Valley
and in our larger communities and society willand in our larger communities and society will
have high self-esteem and live enriched, self-have high self-esteem and live enriched, self-
directed lives.directed lives.

8. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 6-Goal 6-
►The Central Valley will truly be fullyThe Central Valley will truly be fully
accessible, with full implementation of civilaccessible, with full implementation of civil
rights by business, local governments,rights by business, local governments,
schools and other communities.schools and other communities.

9. Programs and ServicesPrograms and Services
► Systems Change Advocacy-Systems Change Advocacy- Systems change advocacy addressesSystems change advocacy addresses
issues related to individuals with disabilities including, but not limited to: Housing,issues related to individuals with disabilities including, but not limited to: Housing,
Transportation, Access, Employment, and Health.Transportation, Access, Employment, and Health.
► Assistive Technology-Assistive Technology- Assistive technology are the tools and resourcesAssistive technology are the tools and resources
used by individuals with disabilities to help improve their quality of life and live moreused by individuals with disabilities to help improve their quality of life and live more
independently.independently.
► Client Assistance Program-Client Assistance Program- The Client Assistance Program informs personsThe Client Assistance Program informs persons
with disabilities about procedures and services, and assists them in resolving difficulties that maywith disabilities about procedures and services, and assists them in resolving difficulties that may
arise while receiving Rehabilitation Act funded services.arise while receiving Rehabilitation Act funded services.
► Creative Careers-Job Development-Creative Careers-Job Development- Creative Careers is vendorized byCreative Careers is vendorized by
the Department of Rehabilitation to provide job development services for individuals with disabilities.the Department of Rehabilitation to provide job development services for individuals with disabilities.
Creative Careers has a high success rate with an ever increasing number of consumers in its caseCreative Careers has a high success rate with an ever increasing number of consumers in its case
load. The Counselors at the Department of Rehabilitation have been outstanding partners to help usload. The Counselors at the Department of Rehabilitation have been outstanding partners to help us
move this vital service forward.move this vital service forward.
► Communication Access-Communication Access- American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting is available,American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting is available,
by appointment, when receiving RICV services. Additionally, all information at RICV is available inby appointment, when receiving RICV services. Additionally, all information at RICV is available in
alternative formats.alternative formats.

10. Programs and Services Cont’dPrograms and Services Cont’d
► High School Transitions-Bridges-High School Transitions-Bridges-
► BBuildinguilding
► RRelationships, Reaching Goalselationships, Reaching Goals
► IIndependencendependence
► DDeveloping Skillseveloping Skills
► GGuiding Studentsuiding Students
► EEmpowermentmpowerment
► SSelf–Advocacyelf–Advocacy
► Housing Resources-Services Provided:Housing Resources-Services Provided:
► Information and ReferralInformation and Referral
► Landlord/Tenant AdvocacyLandlord/Tenant Advocacy
► Home Modification ResourcesHome Modification Resources
► Apartment Referral ListApartment Referral List
► Homeowners/Renters AssistanceHomeowners/Renters Assistance
► Information and Referral-Information and Referral- RICV has a broad range of disability-related information and resourcesRICV has a broad range of disability-related information and resources
that relate to the following topics:that relate to the following topics:
► Adult Day Cares CentersAdult Day Cares Centers
► Crisis HotlinesCrisis Hotlines
► Specialized TransportationSpecialized Transportation
► Utility AssistanceUtility Assistance

11. Programs and Services Cont’dPrograms and Services Cont’d
► Financial AidFinancial Aid
► Food ProgramsFood Programs
► HousingHousing
► Legal ServicesLegal Services
► Peer-SupportPeer-Support- Throughout the month, peer-support groups will be held throughout the- Throughout the month, peer-support groups will be held throughout the
Valley at a variety of locations in order to discuss the following:Valley at a variety of locations in order to discuss the following:
► Life issuesLife issues
► Learn computer skillsLearn computer skills
► Learn about Assistive TechnologyLearn about Assistive Technology
► Independent Living SkillsIndependent Living Skills
► Disability rights awareness, etc.Disability rights awareness, etc.
► TransitionsTransitions- The project is intended to assist people with disabilities in relocating out of- The project is intended to assist people with disabilities in relocating out of
a skilled nursing facility and into independent living.a skilled nursing facility and into independent living.
► To be eligible for this project the person must be on Medi-cal and have been living in aTo be eligible for this project the person must be on Medi-cal and have been living in a
skilled nursing facility (hospital, nursing or subacute care facility, or an intermediate careskilled nursing facility (hospital, nursing or subacute care facility, or an intermediate care
facility) for 6 month or longer.facility) for 6 month or longer.
► The project can assist in several ways including providing a deposit, initial stock ofThe project can assist in several ways including providing a deposit, initial stock of
personal and household items, home modifications, assistive devices, and other itemspersonal and household items, home modifications, assistive devices, and other items
necessary to transition into independent living.necessary to transition into independent living.

12. Work Incentive PlanningWork Incentive Planning
AssistanceAssistance
►Work Incentive Planning AssistanceWork Incentive Planning Assistance
(WIPA)- The WIPA program assists(WIPA)- The WIPA program assists
individuals who are receiving SSI or SSDIindividuals who are receiving SSI or SSDI
benefits and are interested in returning tobenefits and are interested in returning to
work. The qualified staff show the individualwork. The qualified staff show the individual
how their benefits will be affected whenhow their benefits will be affected when
working. WIPA services puts emphasis onworking. WIPA services puts emphasis on
helping beneficiaries plan for employment,helping beneficiaries plan for employment,
access services and supports needed toaccess services and supports needed to
make employment possible.make employment possible.

13. Who is Served?Who is Served?
►Persons with disabilitiesPersons with disabilities
►Family members of persons with disabilitiesFamily members of persons with disabilities
►Friends of individuals with disabilitiesFriends of individuals with disabilities
►Disability information is also available toDisability information is also available to
employers, professionals and organizations.employers, professionals and organizations.
►Certain programs provided may haveCertain programs provided may have
specific eligibility requirements.specific eligibility requirements.

14. Governance and AuthorityGovernance and Authority
►Board of Directors (9)Board of Directors (9)
►Board members must be comprised of 51%Board members must be comprised of 51%
individuals with a disability. Every decisionindividuals with a disability. Every decision
that is made about policy must be approvedthat is made about policy must be approved
by the Board of Directors. Other membersby the Board of Directors. Other members
are individuals who are interested in issuesare individuals who are interested in issues
relating to disabilities.relating to disabilities.
►Executive Director (1)Executive Director (1)
►Director (1)Director (1)

15. Multicultural DevelopmentMulticultural Development
► 51% of the board members MUST have a51% of the board members MUST have a
disabilitydisability
► Programs are culturally appropriate given thePrograms are culturally appropriate given the
current client demographics, however, thiscurrent client demographics, however, this
agency does want to do more outreach foragency does want to do more outreach for
those participants that live in rural areas.those participants that live in rural areas.
► Agency policies do support multiculturalAgency policies do support multicultural
developmentdevelopment
► The agency currently does not do as muchThe agency currently does not do as much
outreach as they would like, due tooutreach as they would like, due to
transportation and budget issues.transportation and budget issues.

16. Social Justice within RICVSocial Justice within RICV
►The RICV staff direct their efforts toward theThe RICV staff direct their efforts toward the
goal of freeing people with disabilities fromgoal of freeing people with disabilities from
institutional living, while educating theinstitutional living, while educating the
community on accessibility issues. With thecommunity on accessibility issues. With the
proper support system from the community,proper support system from the community,
people with disabilities can live where theypeople with disabilities can live where they
choose and pursue their dreams just as anychoose and pursue their dreams just as any
other individual does.other individual does.

17. QuestionsQuestions
►What are the barriers within RICV?What are the barriers within RICV?
►What is RICV’s mission statement?What is RICV’s mission statement?
►Which population does RICV serve?Which population does RICV serve?