Resources for Independence Central Valley

1. Maria Villanueva
Social Work 180
Macro Practice

2. Since 1976, Resources for Independence, Central Valley
(RICV) has worked with consumers to promote their
independence in the community. RICV's service area
includes the five counties of Fresno, Kings, Tulare,
Madera and Merced.
By charter, at least 51 percent of employees at RICV have
disabilities, as does 51 percent of the center’s board of directors.
This underscores the importance of consumer control in RICV. It is
also important to note that RICV does not operate any type of
residential facility. RICV is not assisted living or skilled nursing
facilities, a common misconception. Instead, the RICV staff direct
their efforts toward the goal of freeing people with disabilities from
institutional living, while educating the community on accessibility
issues. With the proper support system from the community,
people with disabilities can live where they choose and pursue their
dreams just as any other individual does. It used to be Project of
California Association of the Physically Handicapped (CAPH), then
Center for Independent Living (CIL), and now it is Resources for
independence Central Valley. RICV

3. “Encouraging People with Disabilities to be
in control of their lives and to live more
independently through a diverse range of
choices and opportunities.”
The agency provides assistance through
many programs and services to People with
disabilities in different areas. There are
services provided to individuals in high
schools, nursing facilities, those who live
independently, and to those who need
assistance with transportation.

4. RICV’s criteriaRICV’s criteria
Serves populations
with all disabilities.
Assists children who
are not being
accommodated in
schools.
http://www.ricv.org/Spring_2010.pdf
Melinda and Ysidro Delgado, in their
new apartment provided through help
from Ellissa Anaya and the HPRP
Program.

5. Services and ProgramsServices and Programs
•Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology
•Bridges (High School Bridges (High School
Transition)Transition)
•Client Assistant Program Client Assistant Program
(CAP)(CAP)
•Creative Careers (Job Creative Careers (Job
Development)Development)
•Communication AccessCommunication Access
•Housing ResourcesHousing Resources
•Information/ReferralInformation/Referral
•Peer SupportPeer Support
•Systems Change AdvocacySystems Change Advocacy
•Transitions Project (CCT)Transitions Project (CCT)
•Work Incentive Planning Work Incentive Planning
Assistance (WIPAAssistance (WIPA))
•HPRP-Homeless HPRP-Homeless
Prevention and Rehab Prevention and Rehab
ProgramProgram http://www.ricv.org/RICV_34th_Anniversary.pdf
BRIDGES: summer 2010 program

6. ..continued
All of these programs are designed to assist and to All of these programs are designed to assist and to
meet each individual’s needs. Each specializes in meet each individual’s needs. Each specializes in
specific areas.specific areas.
For example, there are some consumers that need For example, there are some consumers that need
assistance with living and transportation; in this assistance with living and transportation; in this
case the Independent Living Specialists would guide case the Independent Living Specialists would guide
them. They would assist by providing housing them. They would assist by providing housing
services as well as transportation forms available for services as well as transportation forms available for
the consumer. the consumer.
Another example would be BRIDGES- designed to Another example would be BRIDGES- designed to
assist high school students with physical or learning assist high school students with physical or learning
disabilities transition into the more complex disabilities transition into the more complex
working world, educational environment, and/or working world, educational environment, and/or
adulthood. (web RICV).adulthood. (web RICV).

7. Obstacles with the Services and Obstacles with the Services and
ProgramsPrograms
•Transportation: unable to serve clients in rural areas because they do Transportation: unable to serve clients in rural areas because they do
not have adequate transportation to reach the office, and there is not not have adequate transportation to reach the office, and there is not
enough staff members to make regular home visits.enough staff members to make regular home visits.
•Client Funding: The majority of clients rely on public assistance to Client Funding: The majority of clients rely on public assistance to
survive. The average client receives $880 in aid from SSI, the problem survive. The average client receives $880 in aid from SSI, the problem
is finding affordable housing that will fit into the client’s budget.is finding affordable housing that will fit into the client’s budget.
•Budget Cuts: Cut in State Funding, Salary cuts, change in eligibility Budget Cuts: Cut in State Funding, Salary cuts, change in eligibility
requirements.requirements.
•Recession: Several agencies have closed down, causing more clients to Recession: Several agencies have closed down, causing more clients to
visit RICV, but this agency has the same funding.visit RICV, but this agency has the same funding.
•It is also hard to contact other agencies or programs because of It is also hard to contact other agencies or programs because of
furlough days, it is closed on Fridays and some programs have been furlough days, it is closed on Fridays and some programs have been
cut.cut.

8. -Executive Director of whole Agency: -Executive Director of whole Agency:
Bob Hand: he oversees the Coordinator and the Bob Hand: he oversees the Coordinator and the
Director, Jimmie, Tony, and Tamala.Director, Jimmie, Tony, and Tamala.
-Director of Program Services:-Director of Program Services:
Jimmie Soto: directs Independent Living Jimmie Soto: directs Independent Living
Specialists, CCT, Creative Careers, and Assistant Specialists, CCT, Creative Careers, and Assistant
Technology.Technology.
-Special Projects Coordinator:-Special Projects Coordinator:
Tamala Fields: directs HPRP, and Bridges. Tamala Fields: directs HPRP, and Bridges.
-Office Manager:-Office Manager:
Tony : assists with technical problems and with Tony : assists with technical problems and with
office supplies.office supplies.

9. Population: Disabled Population: Disabled
CommunityCommunity
The agency provides many beneficial services to The agency provides many beneficial services to
those who are disabled and need assistance in those who are disabled and need assistance in
transitioning into independent living.transitioning into independent living.
There is different criteria to qualify for each There is different criteria to qualify for each
program within the agency; receiving services program within the agency; receiving services
from one program does not guarantee receiving from one program does not guarantee receiving
services from another program within the agency.services from another program within the agency.
The agency’s clients represent the groups the The agency’s clients represent the groups the
agency whishes to serve; clients enroll themselves agency whishes to serve; clients enroll themselves
in the program voluntarilyin the program voluntarily

10. Populations-at-riskPopulations-at-risk
The agency is there to assist The agency is there to assist
them; however, the goal is to them; however, the goal is to
assist them temporarily so that assist them temporarily so that
they can be more independent.they can be more independent.
There are People with There are People with
Disabilities who have more Disabilities who have more
than one disability and need than one disability and need
help with more than one help with more than one
problem; however, the agency problem; however, the agency
only assists them with services only assists them with services
that are available.that are available.
Referrals are made to other Referrals are made to other
agencies when needed.agencies when needed.
http://www.good4you.org.uk/governance-and-disabled-people-who-are-homeless

11. RICV staff provides services to all 5 counties RICV staff provides services to all 5 counties
and partnered with many different branches and partnered with many different branches
to provide more services to the targeted to provide more services to the targeted
population.population.
The Program receives grants of competency The Program receives grants of competency
training. They have consultants to provided training. They have consultants to provided
training to their staff through workshops training to their staff through workshops
and seminars. RICV staff are required to and seminars. RICV staff are required to
take an ADA online course training. On take an ADA online course training. On
adabasics.org and get certificate.adabasics.org and get certificate.

12. Programs RICV branches
out to

13. The agency has an American The agency has an American
Sign Language Interpreter on Sign Language Interpreter on
staff.staff.
They offer packets and They offer packets and
brochures in English, Spanish, brochures in English, Spanish,
and Hmong.and Hmong.
The staff also visits Nursing The staff also visits Nursing
Homes, Schools, and or Homes, Schools, and or
Hospitals to assist consumers Hospitals to assist consumers
transition out from a current transition out from a current
unpleasant situation.unpleasant situation.
CCT (California Transition CCT (California Transition
Program) staff mostly visit Program) staff mostly visit
Nursing Facilities, and or Nursing Facilities, and or
Apartment Complexes, and Apartment Complexes, and
BRIDGES ( works with high BRIDGES ( works with high
school students) staff visit High school students) staff visit High
schools, or they do home visits schools, or they do home visits
in some occasions.in some occasions.
Reyes Sandoval- Independent
Living Specialist
Vanessa Luna- CCT Program
http://www.ricv.org/staff/index.html

14. The staff at the agency do whatever possible to The staff at the agency do whatever possible to
transition consumers into independent living if transition consumers into independent living if
the staff feels the consumer is ready after the staff feels the consumer is ready after
being evaluated. However, they are limited to being evaluated. However, they are limited to
certain services.certain services.
The agency’s goal is to expand to other The agency’s goal is to expand to other
counties, but they do not have enough staff.counties, but they do not have enough staff.
They would also like to reach out to the They would also like to reach out to the
Southeast Asian Community, and to other Southeast Asian Community, and to other
families who have to care for a disabled family families who have to care for a disabled family
member and feel they are on their ownmember and feel they are on their own
Agency’s mission and aimsAgency’s mission and aims

15. •There is not a cap on the consumers that can be
helped. As long as the consumer is eligible and is in
need of assistance, the consumer will be helped.
•It is a nonprofit organization that has served
hundreds of consumers throughout the fiscal year.
•The Fiscal Year Starts on October 1 and ends on
September 30.
•They are in alliance with the Department of Rehab
in Fresno, which also assists individuals with
disabilities.
Social Work Practice

16. Social Justice
There is a day during the
Spring when staff and
consumers from the agency go
to Sacramento and meet with
some legislators to advocate
for policy change.
This is a day to advocate for
services provided to People
with Disabilities at the state
level.
There is a System Change
Advocate, Kellie Longo-
Albarran.
The agency’s director has a
broad network in a city, state,
and federal level with
politicians.

17. The agency has does not use the
Medical Model to assist consumers.
The ultimate goal is to let the
consumer do as much as they can on
their own in order for them to live
more independent and not have to
depend on the agency when in need.
The staff is all very respectful and
they are culture competent; they
have had many different consumers,
and they have been able to assist
them regardless of their ethinicity,
culture, or beliefs.
Social Work Values/
Empowerment
http://www.ricv.org/Fall_Newsletter_2009.pdf
Mike Villines, Assemblyman, Bob Hand,
RICV Director, and Senator Dave Cogdill

18. At the beginning of each intake interview or when a
staff member first meets with a client, the client is
given a grievance form to inform them of their rights
through the agency.
The client has the right to write a letter to the
Disability Rights of CA act.
The HIPAA law is an essential part of the CCT program The HIPAA law is an essential part of the CCT program
that makes part of the agency because it provides full that makes part of the agency because it provides full
confidentiality when it comes to medical records; this confidentiality when it comes to medical records; this
allows the staff to make a positive relationship of trust allows the staff to make a positive relationship of trust
with the consumer.with the consumer.
Confidentiality is important; the staff is not to disclose Confidentiality is important; the staff is not to disclose
any personal information to other non-involved staff.any personal information to other non-involved staff.
Human Rights

19. RICV is continually changing RICV is continually changing
peoples’ lives by assisting the peoples’ lives by assisting the
targeted community live more targeted community live more
independently.independently.
Nick, Martha, Suzie, and consumer at RICV 34
th
Annual Dinner
http://www.ricv.org/about.html

20. Resources for Independence Central Valley (2010). Web. www.ricv.org
California State University, Fresno. Henry Madden Library.
October 1, 2010.
Soto, Jimmie (2010). Program Director. Personal Communication.
Resources for Independence Central Valley
Sandoval, Reyes (2010). Independent Living Specialist. Personal
Communication. Resources for Independence Central Valley.