Information and Referral

CFI provides individuals with resources and options to make informed choices about living, learning, and working independently. We provide information related to disability rights, services, and assist with accessing local and state resources.

Independent Living Skills Training

CFI works one-on-one with individuals to provide independent living skills training on various topics. Some examples include organizational and communication skills, budgeting, and learning how to get around the community independently. Please contact one of our offices for more information.

 

Peer Support

CFI offers monthly support groups for individuals with disabilities to get “Out and About” in the community, make new friends, and share experiences in a supportive environment. Peer support is also provided by the staff who experience disabilities themselves.

Youth Transition

The CFI Youth Transition Program offers independent living services to youth with disabilities ages 14-24 who plan to live independently in the community. Youth are encouraged to meet with a Youth Transition Coordinator to see if they qualify for the program.

 

Individual & Systemic Advocacy

CFI advocates for individuals to be able to access resources, obtain services, and request reasonable accommodations. In addition, CFI empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to become strong self-advocates. CFI has also worked with local, state and federal legislatures on changing and creating laws to better the lives of people with disabilities.

Deinstitutionalization

One of our fee-for-service programs is our Pathways to Community Living (PCL) program. CFI assists individuals with transitioning from institutions such as nursing homes and back into the community. The PCL program originally came from “Money Follows the Person” which is a federal Medicaid program. IL Centers, like CFI, are unique in that we are allowed to recruit and educate residents in the nursing homes about the opportunity to transition back to either an adult family home, an assist living facility, or their own apartment.