Independent Lifestyles Provides four core services in the following nine county area:  Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Meeker, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Kandiyohi, Wright and Isanti.   

Independent Living Skills

The Independent Living (IL) Skills Program is designed to assist people with disabilities in learning new and healthy independent living skills.  The Independent Living (IL) Specialist works directly with the consumer teaching hands on skills that promote independent living.  The consumer and the independent living Specialist write an independent living  plan together to meet specific individual needs for the achievement of independence.  Possible areas of skills training include, but are not limited to:

Information and Referral

Independent lifestyles provides up-to-date information about disability and available services with an extensive library of disability related materials and current information about accessibility laws, rules and regulations.  Independent Lifestyles maintains a working relationship with related agencies and resources to make appropriate referrals as necessary.  Information and Referral helps you identify various options and resources that supports choice and independence for people with disabilities.

Advocacy

One of the core services provided by Independent Lifestyles is advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities, their families and care givers.  There are a wide variety of situations in which Independent Lifestyles could be called on to provide advocacy assistance.  Advocacy assistance could be provided to the individual consumer on any topic such as employment, education, the "system", and accessibility. Independent Lifestyles provides advocacy on a one-to-one basis providing assistance to the consumer to achieve greater independence.  Independent Lifestyles is also committed to advocacy on a systems level addressing and removing barriers for people with disabilities so they can live more independently.
Advocacy Committee - Independent Lifestyles Advocacy Committee includes staff, consumers and community member who join together to support each other in their self-advocacy efforts as well as to address disability issues in the community.

 

Peer Mentoring

The Peer Mentoring Program is the foundation of  Independent Lifestyles, Inc.  The program is about people with disabilities serving as role models as they are the ones who can best share their experiences with disabilities with their peers.  This program assists individuals in:

This program is funded in part by United Way of Central Minnesota.

   

In addition to those four core services ILICIL provides many more based upon the needs of our community.

Accessibility

ILICIL has an accessibility program that offers accessibility assistance to consumers to become more independent in their homes, vehicles and the community.  Some of the assessment projects over the years have been ramps, lifts, door widening, bathroom and kitchen remodeling.  The accessibility program extends its services into the community by providing education regarding ADA regulations and business assessments.

Transition

This program assists students with disabilities in learning new and healthy independent living skills.  The IL Specialist works one-on-one teaching hands-on skills that promote independent living. The student works on skills that the student selects with the IL Specialist.

School Programming - The Independent Lifestyles School Program is developed to educate, empower, and assist individuals with disabilities in their daily living needs.  Through small groups in local schools, students will develop the necessary skills to become more independent as an adult.  Each curriculum area is designed to meet the students need. Transition skills training includes:

  Representative Payee

Independent Lifestyles offers representative payee services for consumers who are mandated by the Social Security Administration to have a responsible party maintain their benefits

Socialization Groups

ILICIL offers a variety of social /Support Groups aimed to increase socialization and healthy relationships while participating in fun activities.

ILICIL Events - Held once a month in the St. Cloud area at various dates and times depending on which community activities the group attends.

It's A Strike - Holds bowling games monthly at a local bowling alley at various dates and times.

Friendship Circle - "Dinner and a Movie" meets the first Saturday of the month for lunch followed by a movie at the movie theater.

Get Creative Art Group - Meets monthly to do various art projects together.

Social Activity Group - This group is specifically designed for people with developmental disabilities.  It offers a variety of activities in the St. Cloud area on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.

Troop 2 Troop Support Group - Veterans with disabilities come together to offer each other support and also learn more about various topics of importance.

 

Skills Training Groups

ILICIL provides workshops on a variety of different skills such as medical, social security, relationships and dating, county services and employment.  These classes are open to anyone with disabilities and you may call our office for a current list of workshops.

ADA Surveys and Assessments

ILICIL staff provides on-site advice regarding the accessibility of structures, building, programs, businesses, etc.  Center staff will conduct surveys on request to determine accessibility and make suggestions for improvement.  A fee may be charged to cover costs of on-site surveys and written recommendations.

Independent living Assessments

Independent Lifestyles recognizes that consumers have a variety of independent living needs as well as differing abilities and barriers that may keep them from living as independently as possible.  Independent Lifestyles has designed a comprehensive Independent Living Skills Assessment that is completed with the consumer with hands-on practical application.  This tool is asset based and aims to also highlight consumers strengths and abilities. The following categories are included on a full day assessment:

You have the option to purchase the full assessment, choose one module or select groups of modules to fit the individuals needs.

The Nature of the Assessment - An Independent Living Specialist will spend time with the consumer to determine their strengths and abilities.  Assessment will be made based on consumer accomplishment of tasks through direct or indirect observations, self-assessment, and an interview with family members or person's involved with the consumer.  Upon completion of the assessment a thorough summary of the evaluation and recommendations is provided.  The assessment will be sued only as a guide and may be altered, added to, or omitted, depending upon the individual needs of the consumer.  Independent Living Skills Assessments are available by purchase from community professionals for their consumers.  The consumer does not need to be currently receiving services from Independent Lifestyles.

Nursing Home Relocation Services

ILICIL offers assistance to people who wish to move from a nursing home or other institution into the community. An advocate from ILICIL will be happy to meet and discuss your situation.  For more information see this website.