As we all continue to be in this together, please join athletes from the Special Olympics thanking our essential workers, physical distancing and singing "Stand By Me"
(originally recorded by Ben E. King).
In this update:
  • CILDRC Service updates
  • Census Reminder
  • Online purchasing for EBT
  • Protecting Mental Health webinar series
  • Counseling Services through Childrens Home Services
  • Updates by County
  • Wheelchair Research Study
  • Social Engagement Hour, April 29th at 12:00 noon
  • Donate!
We have received some wonderful feedback as our team members continue reaching out to our current and former consumers. When one of our IL Specialists Karen, spoke with a consumer (who is 101 years old), she said "Thank you so much for your call! It's nice to know there are people out there who care. We are so isolated right now."

We have received similar feedback from many of our consumers who are battling isolation and loneliness. CILDRC is proud that we can make a difference in a person's life, just by making a phone call to check on them.

We've also been able to connect people to vital resources, such as food, durable medical equipment, medicines and transportation.

We are happy to be speaking with those of you who are participating in our assessment surveys. (If you have not yet been contacted and don't feel you need to connect with CILDRC directly, please reply to this email and type "I AM OKAY" in the body.)

Staff continues to be available by phone and email, managing day to day activities by appointment and remotely during our normal business hours 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. You can reach us by calling 850-595-5566 or by emailing info@cil-drc.org.

Please reach out if you need anything, or just need someone to talk to. In the meantime, be well.
Why Does it Matter?
The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—who we are, where we live, and so much more.

The results of this once-a-decade count determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.

The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. 

Your participation is the census also helps the CIL Disability Center accurately request funding to serve people with disabilities in our four county service area.

For the first time, you can choose to complete the census online, by phone, or by mail. Find out more about each of these methods below:


Please note that if you are responding online, you must complete the census in one sitting, as you don't have the ability to save your progress. See thequestions the census asks here .  

If you do not receive an invitation to respond from the Census Bureau, you may respond online or call us at 844-330-2020.

USDA Approves Florida’s Request to Launch Online Grocery Purchase Pilot Program

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced Florida will pilot a program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase groceries online through Walmart and Amazon with the use of an EBT card.

This is an accommodation the statewide Centers for Independent Living (CILs) were able to advocate for through the designated “CIL Seat” – thanks to Florida Independent Living Council and Florida Association for Centers for Independent Living - at the Emergency Operations Center.

The program will be available locally and statewide starting April 21, 2020. For the full press release, click here.


For assistance with placing an order online using an EBT card at Walmart, please  click here .
For assistance with placing an order online using an EBT card at Amazon, please  click here .
Research Study for Wheelchair Users

Researchers at Georgia Tech are interested in developing technology to help wheelchair users prevent pressure ulcers. The technology would monitor how long you are seated, how often you perform weight shifts and the pressures or forces on your buttocks. Other measurements may also be possible such as the temperature of your buttocks. Information would then be sent to your mobile device.
 
Collecting thoughts and opinions from wheelchair users’ is an important part of the project. An anonymous survey has been developed that will not collect any personal or identifiable information from you. The survey should take about 7 minutes to complete.
 
We recognize that you have many more important things on your mind at this time and sincerely thank you for your time and your opinions.
 
If you are interested in participating, please click the link below:
 
Up to date information about COVID-19
specific to your County is available
by clicking the applicable graphic below.
CIL Disability Resource Center Invites you to Social Engagement Hour via Zoom

Topic: Consumer Conversations 4/29
Time: Apr 29, 2020 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
 
Join Zoom Meeting by app on your phone, tablet, or computer:
 
Meeting ID: 885 3841 5289
Password: 4292020
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,88538415289#,,#,4292020# US (New York)
+13126266799,,88538415289#,,#,4292020# US (Chicago)
 
Dial by your location
    +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
    +1 253 215 8782 US
    +1 301 715 8592 US
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 885 3841 5289
Password: 4292020

The Social Engagement Hours will occur each Wednesday at 12:00 noon. Please watch for updated information on how you can connect posted on our website. We will also be sending out reminder emails like these that contain the information on how you can participate.
Want to help people with disabilities live fuller, more meaningful lives in the community?
Funding is presently needed to purchase wheelchairs, bath benches, walkers and other durable medical equipment.

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
DONATE TODAY!
Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, Inc. (FEIN: 59-2288751) dba CIL Disability Resource Center, is a registered charity in the State of Florida, Registration Number CH130.
A copy of the Official registration and financial information maybe obtained from the
Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does
not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com

SUPPORTED BY:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Florida Department of Education - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation State Funding
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
Local Businesses, Private and Individual Donations
Certified Partner Agency