September 28, 2021; 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Register online

We all know that Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are required to assist with transition (and diversion) from nursing homes and other institutions. Most CILs are uniquely skilled and adept at nursing home transition, but “other institutions” can be challenging for CILs to define and approach. Join us to learn how two CILs have built successful programs to help people with disabilities transition out of (or avoid) the criminal legal and prison systems. Transitioning back to the community from these circumstances presents its own unique challenges and takes particular skills, considerations, and lived experiences to get it right, but it is necessary and achievable.

CILs can (and should!) be supporting consumers in the criminal legal system. Join this free webinar to learn how two CILs have done just that – and how you can, too!

Registration Fee: This event is free-of-charge.

Target Audience: Executive Directors, program staff, and board members of Centers for Independent Living.

What you will Learn

• Examples of programs, community partnerships, and funding sources that support consumers who are in the criminal legal system or transitioning home from the prison system.
• Creative approaches that educate and support consumers in the criminal legal system to successfully transition back into the community.
• Proven strategies to build a program that is consumer-controlled and best supports people with their own goals and challenges.

Meet Your Panelists

Sharif Brown was born and raised in Queens, NY. He is the youngest of nineteen children. Sharif started as a Direct Care Support Specialist and advanced to Fiscal Manager, Program Manager, and Quality Assurance for Respite Program and Director of Group Homes. In 2016, he relocated to NC and began work with ADA (Alliance of Disability Advocates) in the Raleigh area. Sharif became the only Certified Travel Training Instructor in the state. In 2017, he began Reentry work at Butner Federal Corrections Institution through ADA.

Sharif implemented the Individualized Reentry Plan (IRP) philosophy at Butner and assisted 200 inmates, of which only 2 reoffended. Following his success, ADA was presented with a grant from NCCDD (North Carolina Committee for Developmental Disabilities) to implement the same IRP process in state prisons. The NC State prison’s overall re-offense rate for is 45%. Sharif and ADA have not had a single re-offense among program participants so far. Now the best part: Sharif is a father of 5 sons, including a son with Autism. Always a Proud DAD!

Scott Burlingame has been the Executive Director of Independence Inc., a Resource Center for Independent Living in Minot, North Dakota for 10 years and he has worked in the Disability Rights movement for over 20 years. Scott has been appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Independent Living Council, the state Olmstead Commission, and the State Rehabilitation Council. He has served on many local and statewide councils and boards, focusing on issues related to disability, addiction, housing, nonprofits, and community development. Scott has developed a system of service delivery that encourages community participation, leadership development, and personal empowerment to create systems change.

Presented by the IL-NET: The IL-NET National Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Center for Independent Living is operated by ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization). The IL-NET T&TA Center provides training and technical assistance to centers for independent living and statewide independent living councils. The IL-NET is supported by grant numbers 90ILTA0002 and 90ISTA0002 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

The original article ran in the advocacy monitor on September 14, 2021.