NORTHEAST INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM INC
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Mission Statement
The Northeast Independent Living Program (NILP) is a consumer controlled Independent Living Center providing advocacy and services to people with all disabilities who wish to live independently in the community.
About This Cause
NILP has been providing independent living services to individuals of all ages with disabilities in the greater Merrimack Valley since 1980. Our services are deeply rooted in the Independent Living philosophy, which states that, "individuals with disabilities are the best determinants of their own needs and service choices. Through role modeling and peer counseling, with other individuals with disabilities, they become empowered to make changes in their lives and become more self-sufficient and self-reliant." NILP's services are free to anyone in the community with a disability. Because over 51% of our staff self-identify as a person with a disability or have shared experiences, our consumers (people who receive services from us) benefit from a high level of peer support across all our programs. Our programs include: Personal Care Assistance (PCA) - provides critical support to over 3,000 consumers per year who require assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating, and dressing. This program allows consumers to live independently within their own family or community as opposed to a hospital or nursing home. Nursing Home Transition Services- assist individuals with disabilities as they transition from nursing facilities or hospitals back into the community. We stay with consumers for as long as the transition process takes, which can sometimes be lengthy as consumers wait for affordable, accessible housing. Community Support Services- assist over 900 people with disabilities per year in navigating complex systems to obtain benefits and services such as MassHealth, Social Security, housing, or assistive technology. Throughout the process, we guide and mentor consumers, empowering them to take charge of their own lives. Northeast Recovery Learning Community (NERLC)- a community of peers in recovery from mental health challenges, addiction and/or traumatic life experiences. NERLC staff are trained professionals with lived experience who support individuals on their journeys to obtaining and maintaining wellness in a variety of ways such as 1:1 peer support, support groups, self-directed recovery-oriented trainings, advocacy, and community events and activities. Youth Services- helps students with disabilities between the ages of 14-22 prepare for the transition to adulthood. Students are educated on topics such as budgeting, communication, socialization, workplace readiness, cooking skills, reasonable accommodations, and more. We work with students throughout the school year in both public and private schools as well after-school or during school vacations at NILP. Independent Living/Vocational Rehabilitation- assists adults with disabilities in achieving their independent living goals. We provide peer counseling and skills training in areas such as financial management, benefits counseling, applying for transportation services, and assistance with housing applications. Long-Term Services and Supports- connects One Care members (dual enrollment in MassHealth and Medicare) with services and community resources to help them live independently in the community. Merrimack Valley Aging and Disability Resource Consortium (ADRC)- a collaborative project between NILP and AgeSpan, which provides a "no wrong door" entry point of service for people with disabilities and elders looking to access community-based long-term services. It streamlines information & referral and intake and service coordination between the agencies. Education Division- a revenue-generating program and a "one-stop" resource for training and consulting in the areas of Disability Cultural Intelligence and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Trainers are qualified professionals who are persons with disabilities and/or have many years of experience working within the disability community. In addition to training, we also help cities and towns identify accessibility needs and develop transition plans to bring them into compliance with the law.