Envision Illinois Introduction and Member Agencies Envision Illinois is a collaborative partnership in Illinois addressing domestic violence in the lives of people with disabilities and Deaf people throughout the State of Illinois. All project activities are implemented by the state planning team, which is comprised of self-advocates and seven state-level organizations, all of which play a vital role in the collaboration. A team approach is utilized through all stages of the project: planning, implementation and evaluation. The collective experience and qualifications of the partner organizations within the statewide service delivery model and systems change is invaluable in all phases of the project. The following organizations make up the collaboration: Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance (The Alliance) is a statewide network that brings together self-advocacy groups across the state to speak with one voice and work together to make systems change. The Alliance’s purpose is two-fold: 1) to support local self-advocacy groups; and 2) to work together on issues important to people with disabilities. The organization mobilizes statewide self-advocacy efforts to facilitate systems change. Self-advocates bring unique and invaluable perspectives to the team based on their personal experiences and interactions with the service delivery system. These advocates play a vital role in the group’s ability to understand their needs and the strengths and weaknesses of the current service delivery system. The Alliance has 19 member groups, 9 Board Members (all are self-advocates) and 5 support staff members (3 are self-advocates). The Alliance provides the following services: Education and outreach, peer leadership opportunities and trainings, and public policy work. The Alliance members work together to make life better in their communities and to make services better in the state. Mary Hettel and Krescene Beck serve as Alliance representatives on the Envision Illinois team. Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is charged with designing, coordinating, monitoring, and funding a comprehensive and coordinated community-based social service system which includes both disability and domestic violence services. This work is done through its Divisions of Family and Community Services (FCS), Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Mental Health (DMH), and Rehabilitation Services (DRS). IDHS is the administrative agent. Staff of the IDHS partner divisions provides expertise in their respective fields and engage community providers, as needed. The IDHS brings statewide administrative authority to implement systems change, both internally and externally, through policy development, contractual requirements, resource allocation, and service delivery model. Constituents include: Disability service providers: 209 community mental health organizations & 7 state operated hospitals; 600 community developmental disabilities organizations & 7 state operated developmental centers; 46 rehabilitation services offices and 62 domestic violence victim service organizations. Services include: * Designing, coordinating, licensing, funding, and monitoring community-based services across the state. * Providing technical assistance/training and developing and distributing resources to community-based providers and state-operated facilities. * Coordinating a statewide strategy among state organizations to address the needs of people with disabilities. Teresa Tudor, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, will serve as Project Director, with responsibility for overall grant management, team facilitation, meeting coordination, communication, and quality assurance. Lee Ann Reinert will serve as representative from the Division of Mental Health; Ovelia Smith-Barton will serve as the representative from the Division of Rehabilitation Services, and Mary Spriggs-Ploessel will serve as the representative from the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) consists of 53 community-based domestic violence victim services organization members located across the State of Illinois. Each ICADV center provides 24-hour hotline and advocacy, counseling, and prevention education. The centers serve victims of domestic violence and their children. ICADV establishes and monitors service standards and has the ability to change the domestic violence service delivery system. ICADV has a history of working with victims who are Deaf and working with victims who experience mental illnesses. ICADV interacts with all systems at the state and community level. ICADV will participate in state planning team meetings, provide expertise on domestic violence, and provide connection to local domestic violence programs. Vicki Smith and Tess Sakolsky will serve as representatives from ICADV on the state planning team. Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) is the statewide association of Illinois’ 22 Centers for Independent Living (CILs). INCIL coordinates the activities and efforts of all CILs, resulting in a stronger, more unified voice to promote the needs and priorities of the CILs and the individuals they serve. Services include: Independent Living Skills training, peer support and mentoring, individual and systemic advocacy, information and referral, and transition from institutions to community living. Ann Ford will be the INCIL representative and will participate in Envision Illinois meetings, provide expertise in disability issues, and ensure that CILs are informed and involved in project activities in their communities. Blue Tower Training, a division of Macon Resources, Inc (BTT) provides local, regional, and national training, consultation, and materials related to violence against persons with disabilities. BTT works with service providers to develop and implement peer education programs, leadership efforts, and abuse prevention and intervention programs, influencing the daily practices of the field and supporting involvement of self-advocates. BTT director, Shirley Paceley, will serve as Project Coordinator and facilitate Envision Illinois meetings, provide expertise on disability issues, assist with resource development, and connect collaborative efforts to the provider network. Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council supports a coordinated community response to family violence. The local Councils engage in education, intervention, prevention, and coordination of services for victims and perpetrators of abuse. For example, IFVCC started “Responding to Victims with Disabilities Committee” to address crimes against people with disabilities. Domestic violence programs utilize the IFVCC as a vehicle to promote comprehensive community efforts. Vernie Bruehler, IFVCC director, will participate in grant-related planning and implementation meetings, and provide expertise in systems work and coordinated community response. NAMI Illinois, a statewide organization chartered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), provides statewide education, support and advocacy initiatives to improve the lives of individuals and families challenged by mental illnesses. In collaboration with NAMI, more than 30 NAMI Illinois affiliates, and other affinity organizations, NAMI Illinois provides state-of-the-art evidence-based programs that ensure increased public awareness and understanding of mental illnesses. NAMI works in conjunction with a variety of coalitions to encourage inclusion and understanding of individuals with mental illnesses throughout community living and to promote treatment, access needs, and recovery concepts. Lora Thomas, Executive Director, will serve on the Envision Illinois statewide planning team. The team is comprised of individuals with disabilities and family members who have experience with both service systems, professionals in the disability and domestic violence fields with expertise at local, state and national levels in the areas of policy, training and service delivery. The team respects the experiences and perspective of government, advocacy groups, service providers, and people with disabilities; we know that collaboration is essential to achieve systems change. Each MOU partner is willing and able to integrate the work into their organization vision/mission and their daily operations In addition to the MOU partners, two partnering agencies are also involved in the collaboration. On July 1, 2013, with the passage of the Adult Protective Services Act, the Illinois Department on Aging became the single Adult Protective Services agency in the State to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities who reside in the community. Services are provided statewide through 42 community-based adult protective services provider agencies that are designated by the Department to conduct investigations, and provide casework and follow up in cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Caseworkers work with older adults and adults with disabilities in resolving abusive situations. Lois Moorman, the Program Administrator for the Department on Aging’s Office of Adult Protective Services will participate in on the Envision Illinois Team. The Governor’s Office of Health Innovation and Transformation (GOHIT) Statewide Housing Coordinators (SHC) partner with statewide entities to ensure a comprehensive approach in increasing and accessing housing opportunities for persons with disabilities, and work on housing policy across and within these partner Departments.  Lore Baker, Statewide Housing Coordinator, will participate on the Envision Illinois Team. Mission Statement The Mission of Envision Illinois is to transform services in Illinois into a survivor-centered, seamless, responsive and sustainable system that fully meets the needs of Deaf people and people with disabilities who are survivors of domestic violence regardless of any disability. We will achieve this by listening to the voices of survivors and self-advocates which will lead us to: o Examine the belief and value systems of the collaborative agencies to promote welcoming, accessible, integrated and informed services and programs and to transform the agency cultures; o Foster relationships among partners and fully utilize their resources and expertise; o Integrate and expand knowledge, cultural consciousness and the expertise of partners to create long term social change; o Remove physical, programmatic, communication and attitudinal barriers and bridging gaps in service delivery; and o Embed these changes through coordinated policies and protocols, and developed resources across all partner agencies. Accessible from any point of entry, a diverse array of highly effective comprehensive and inclusive coordinated community response will be provided by staff who have actively prepared for access utilizing a trauma-informed approach through which policies and procedures, philosophy, and services are designed to support from crisis to healing. Vision Statement We ENVISION a culture in Illinois in which Deaf people and people with disabilities who experience domestic violence are empowered by a system of inclusive, accessible, person-centered and person-directed services that result in equal access to healing, safety and justice.   Assumptions 1.    Survivors are the experts on their experiences and those experiences impact their choices. 2.    All forms of societal victim-blaming silences survivors and promotes pro-violence attitudes and actions. 3.    Deaf people and people with disabilities are at significant risk of violence and face many barriers to receive equal services. 4.    Society does not understand, know how to communicate with, or relate to Deaf people and people with disabilities or survivors of domestic violence. 5.    When advocates, victim and disability service providers, and survivors work in collaboration, system changes will occur to meet survivor’s needs.  6.    Domestic violence is never the victim’s fault. Values: People First: The voices and experiences of Deaf survivors and survivors with disabilities are at the center of our work. Furthermore, we recognize people first as individuals, prior to identifying any aspect of their life. Person Centered: The core of our work together will be focused on the unique and diverse strengths, needs and preferences of Deaf survivors and survivors with disabilities. We honor the way in which an individual defines oneself. Do No Harm: We will evaluate unintended consequences of our work and assure that no one is harmed by actions we take or do not take. Respect and Dignity: We believe each person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, including the right to confidentiality. We are committed to following this as a guiding principle in all of the efforts we undertake. Empowerment: We believe all people are resilient and capable of achieving full potential. As such, we believe individuals are capable of making decisions regarding their own lives, including speaking and acting on their own behalf and advocating in their own best interest. Trauma Informed: Our intention is to create systems that are trauma-informed and trauma-responsive to survivors of domestic violence who have disabilities. Trauma-informed care refers to recognition that the vast majority of Deaf people and people with disabilities have a trauma history, and services are to be designed with full consideration of the impact of trauma on the person. Safety: Our primary concern is always that of the person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual safety. Self advocacy: Together with survivors we raise our voices against oppression in all its forms, especially survivors who have been silenced because of their race, age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability, immigration status, faith, and/or sexual and gender identity. Confidentiality: Survivors have the right to decide who they share their story with; we value and respect the right of confidentiality and privacy. Inclusion: We will change systems and organizations so that Deaf people and people with disabilities are fully included, both in victim services and in our collaboration. Responsiveness: We will react quickly and positively to Deaf people and people with disabilities. Accessibility: We think foremost about how to remove barriers and encourage the widest possible participation. Sustainability: Our work to change organizations and systems will be designed to last. Commitments and Contributions Envision Illinois is committed to the vision, mission, and implementation of systems changes that will ensure our ability, over time, to provide enhanced services for Deaf people and people with disabilities whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence. In order to optimize our efforts, this collaboration has created clear expectations and guidelines regarding our commitments and contributions. Project partners will support and strengthen relationships within our collaboration. We will seek opportunities to deepen our understanding of our collective work by respecting the input and expertise of each partner. Project partners will actively participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of each phase of the project. Partners will communicate information regarding the collaboration to their respective organizations and regarding their organizations to the collaboration as needed to facilitate the work of the project. Collaboration team members commit and contribute to Envision Illinois by: Serving as representatives for each individual organization. Maintaining the commitment of our organizations to the collaboration’s work through continued engagement of members. Attending collaboration team meetings; be present, focused, and prepared. Providing updates to members within each organization to keep them fully informed. Providing updates and applicable information to the collaboration regarding Individual organization values, policies, and dynamics, as well as anything Occurring that could impact the collaboration’s work. Examples include staffing changes of key decision makers, policy changes related to the project, or crisis communication. Informing individual organizations of the core elements of Envision Illinois in order to promote statewide change. Demonstrating continued self-reflection and self-growth that comes from addressing our own biases, assumptions and experiences as they relate to domestic violence, survivors, and Deaf people and people with disabilities. Attending all mandatory trainings and meetings provided by OVW, Vera, or any others required by the grant, as decided by the team. Completing all assigned projects as determined by the collaboration. Decision-Making Process Envision Illinois is committed to a consensus model of decision making.  Group discussion will be the primary method used, and each member’s contributions will be considered equally.  Every effort will be made to find common ground and reach consensus.  In areas where consensus does not appear possible, members of the group will be asked to state their opinion using the following scale: 1 – definitely.  I agree 100%. 2 – ok.  I can agree, but need some clarification. 3 – acceptable.  I can support the decision, but have some objections. 4 – maybe.  I have as many objections as I have reasons to support the decision. 5 – wait.  Do not move forward with this decision yet.  We need more time to discuss. 6 – definitely not.  I disagree 100%. While we will always aspire for consensus, in instances where this is not possible, we will move forward with a decision only if each member’s response is a 3 or above.  We will refer any decisions where this is not possible to the conflict resolution protocol. All decisions made by the group must be within the scope of the grant.  Daily operational decisions may be made by the Project Director without consultation with the larger group. Conflict Management Plan Envision Illinois respects and celebrates the diversity and the unique perspective that each partner brings to the initiative. We commit to using our differences to gain a richer, deeper understanding of the work we do. If conflicts do arise within our group, we will not allow them to deter or sabotage our commitment to the project. We will instead look at conflict through the lens of opportunity to grow and change as we strive to find common ground. We expect that we will be able to resolve most conflicts through respectful communication. Our guidelines for positive conflict resolution include the following: • We will openly discuss issues that affect our collaboration and empower each project partner to voice opinions, be heard, and be an integral part of the solution. • We will frequently check-in with each other to proactively identify areas of potential disagreement or discomfort and clarify misunderstandings to strengthen group partnerships. • We will take steps to understand any conflicts that arise by defining the problem, agreeing that it is the problem, and identifying the source of the problem. • We value our relationships with our project partners and will engage in Discussions that are designed to produce solutions that support and build those relationships. The desired outcomes of this process will always be to strengthen the team and promote unification not division. Collaboration members will remember and acknowledge that conflict is sometimes an important step toward a more successful collaboration, and that even if an agreement is not reached, the collaboration is motivated to work through conflict completely. Members will focus on specific issues, not the personalities of the persons involved. Members will focus upon the present with the goal of future success. Envision Illinois views conflict as an indicator that we are truly addressing matters of substance. We will accept it, embrace it and expect to come through it with a renewed commitment and greater understanding of what is important. We will consider each conflict resolved as an achievement of progress in making a difference in the lives of survivors with disabilities and Deaf people. If we are unable to resolve a conflict within our group, we will request additional assistance from the Vera Institute of Justice. Confidentiality Agreement Confidentiality Envision Illinois considers confidentiality to be a key principle underlying our work; and has the highest commitment to confidentiality within our collaboration. We believe that respecting the confidentiality of Deaf people and people with disabilities experiencing domestic violence is paramount to ensuring safe, accessible services. Envision Illinois is committed to preserving the confidentiality practices of each organization and the dignity of the individuals served. Personal, identifying information about individuals served at any of the partner organizations is considered confidential and may only be share within the collaboration, as needed, and as permitted under the policy, rules and/or law governing the process under which the information was obtained. In our work under this grant we will not provide direct service; however, we recognize that personal information might become available. Partners will not share individually identifying information about a Deaf individual or any individual with a disability without that individual’s permission. Additionally, beyond the identifying information of the individuals served, we recognize that working closely in collaboration creates the need for members to share sensitive information with one another to support the success of the collaboration. Any information shared will be for the purpose of advancing the work of the collaboration in creating systems change. The needs assessment survey and report will contain only aggregate data, qualitative and quantitative information, and non-identifying participant quotations. Identifying information gathered during the needs assessment process will not be disseminated outside of the collaboration in any form. Participants will be fully informed of procedures and confidentiality protocols surrounding the needs assessment prior to participation. An individual’s participation will not impact future services from partner organizations. Mandatory Reporting Envision Illinois recognizes that our individual organizations operate under different requirements of local, state or federal regulations and governing entities for protecting confidential information from local, state or federal regulations and governing entities. Project partners will follow their respective organizations’ protocols regarding any mandatory reporting requirements. Project partners will respect the boundaries and requirements of the other partner organizations. Communications Plan Envision Illinois members will honor the principles of effective communication by providing a framework conducive to the sharing of information in an honest, straightforward, thorough, and supportive manner with the purpose of increasing understanding and avoiding misunderstanding between each other. Internal Communication 1. The core team will communicate via email frequently, copying additional members as appropriate. 2. Initially, the core team (at a minimum) will meet monthly. The frequency of these meetings will be reassessed as we proceed. Conference calls will also be used when face-to-face meetings are not possible. 3. Core team members will bring information from their organizations back to the collaboration. 4. Partners from each organization will share information about the project with fellow staff at appropriate meetings and through other forms of communication, as needed. To the greatest extent possible, all members of each organization’s staff will be made aware of the project, its goals, and progress. a. Core team members will create a uniform message to be shared with each organization’s staff. 5. All Core team members agree to share each other’s acronyms and terminology to prevent confusion during the process and enhance our education about each. External Communication 1. The Project Director or Program Coordinator will check in with our Vera Institute representative, as needed, through a planned phone call. 2. The Project Director will complete all necessary reports to the Office on Violence Against People (OVW) on a timely basis and also be the voice of the project to OVW. 3. Any formal, external communications and discussions with the media/public presentations will be agreed to by partnering organizations prior to release. 4. No one is authorized to speak for the collaboration without prior agreement of all partners. 5. Core team members will collectively develop a message that can and will be shared publicly, as needed. 6. With the purpose of achieving consistency, a number of talking points will be developed by the collaboration. Media Plan 1. Talking points: a. Developed by the collaboration to allow partner organization representatives to respond to requests for information on the Envision Illinois initiative. b. Used by the partner organizations following each organization’s individual media protocol. 2. Media contacts: a. Use individual organization’s method of filtering media requests. b. Identify designated media contact of each partner organization who will speak to the media regarding the Envision Illinois initiative following that organization’s media protocol. c. Use agreed upon talking points when addressing the media about the Envision Illinois initiative. Draft Work Plan Begin development of Charter March 2014 Charter approved by all partner agencies June 2014 Submit Charter to OVW July 2014 Narrowing the Focus Memo June 2014 Begin development of Needs Assessment Plan June 2014 Submit Needs Assessment Plan to OVW Sept 2014 Begin conducting Needs Assessment January 2015 Begin development of Needs Assessment findings/report March 2015 Needs Assessment approved by all partner agencies April 2015 Submit Needs Assessment findings report to OVW April 2015 Begin development of Strategic Plan June 2015 Strategic Plan approved by all partner agencies August 2015 Submit Strategic Plan to OVW August 2015 Glossary to Key Terms Advocate: a person who supports and speaks up for the rights of Deaf people or people with disabilities. Collaborative: a working partnership between organizations for the purpose of accomplishing common goals. As a collaboration, partners are able to achieve more together than they would alone. This relationship includes several factors: commitment and mutual relationship goals, a jointly developed structure and shared responsibilities, mutual authority and accountability for success and sharing of resources. Domestic Violence: a pattern of abusive behavior that is used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner, family member, or the person in the individual’s care. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions carried out with the intent to coerce or intimidate another person. Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA): The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. This is Illinois’ domestic violence law that defines what is legally considered domestic abuse and which persons qualify as victims and perpetrators under the law. In Illinois, victims are only protected from domestic violence that is perpetrated by their family or household members. Under the IDVA, family or household members are defined as: * family members related by blood; * people who are married or used to be married; * people who share or used to share a home, apartment, or other common dwelling; * people who have or allegedly have child in common or a blood relationship through a child in common; * people who are dating or engaged or used to date, including same sex couples; and * people with disabilities and their personal assistants. The IDVA defines domestic violence as: “physical abuse, harassment, intimidation of a dependent, interference with personal liberty or willful deprivation…” The IDVA also provides special protections for “adults with disabilities,” which are defined in the law as: “an elder adult with disabilities or a high-risk adult with disabilities. A person may be an adult with disabilities for purposes of this Act even though he or she has never been adjudicated an incompetent adult. However, no court proceeding may be initiated or continued on behalf of an adult with disabilities over that adult's objection, unless such proceeding is approved by his or her legal guardian, if any.” Intersection of violence and people with disabilities: The coming together of two service systems (victim services and disability services), joining forces and sharing expertise to improve their individual and complimentary responses to serve survivors with disabilities. People with disabilities: Disability is the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which the individual lives. Overcoming the difficulties faced by people with disabilities requires interventions to remove environmental and social barriers. Additionally, organization's and their service delivery systems may define disabilities according to state and/or federal rules and regulations. Recovery: refers to the process in which persons are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life despite a disability. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms. Resilience: refers to personal and community qualities that enable us to rebound from adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or other stresses, and enable us to go on with life with a sense of mastery, competence, and hope. Self-Advocate: people who are Deaf or who have disabilities and who communicate about the things that are important in their lives. Survivors: 1. An individual who has experienced ongoing domestic violence and still lives in an abusive relationship as defined in the “domestic violence” and “domestic violence victim” definitions. This individual is “surviving” by living with the hardships and trauma of domestic violence. 2. An individual who is no longer in an abusive relationship and has survived the violence. As a form of respect and at the request of many domestic violence victims throughout the United States, the term “survivor” has become interchangeable with and preferable to the term “victim”. Victim: an individual who has experienced ongoing, physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological abuse from an intimate partner, care giver, or family member. Envision Illinois:  Acronym List Collaborative Partnership: (The) Alliance    Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance BTT               Blue Tower Training (Division of Macon Resources, Inc.) IDoA (or DoA)     Illinois Department on Aging ICADV             Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence IDHS (or DHS)     Illinois Department of Human Services IDHS/FCS          Family and Community Services IDHS/DDD          Developmental Disabilities IDHS/DMH          Mental Health IDHS/DRS          Rehabilitation Services IDPH              Illinois Department of Public Health GOHIT             Governor’s Office on Health Innovation and Transformation IFVCC             Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council INCIL             Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living NAMI              National Alliance on Mental Illness Agencies: AG                Attorney General CIL               Center for Independent Living DOJ               Department of Justice ICF/DD            Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Developmental Disabilities OIG               Office of Inspector General OVW               Office on Violence Against Women   Other Acronyms: ACA        Affordable Care Act ACT        Assertive Community Treatment ADA        Americans with Disabilities Act APS Adult Protective Services CILA       Community Integrated Living Arrangement CRSS       Certified Recovery Support Specialist CBT        Cognitive Behavioral Therapy DD         Developmental Disability DT         Developmental Training DSM        Diagnostic and Statistical Manual DASA       Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse DSP Direct Support Professional DV         Domestic Violence EBP        Evidence Based Practices GAC        Guardianship and Advocacy Commission GAL        Guardian Ad Litem HBS Home-Based Services HIPAA       Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act IPP         Individual Program Plan ITP         Individual Treatment Plan IMR         Illness Management and Recovery IPS         Individual Placement with Supports ICF         Intermediate Care Facility ICG         Individual Care Grant IEP         Individualized Education Plan ISC Independent Service Coordination LGBTIQ    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Questioning                         MC         Managed Care MHC        Mental Health Center MHC        Mental Health Code MISA       Mental Illness/Substance Abuse MOU        Memorandum of Understanding PAS/ISSA Pre-Admission Screening/Individual Services and Support Advocacy PUNS Prioritization of Urgency of Needs for Services PSH        Permanent Supportive Housing PSR        Psychosocial Rehabilitation OP         Order of Protection PSR        Psychosocial Rehabilitation SAMHSA     Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SODC State Operated Developmental Center SOF       State Operated Facility SOH       State Operated Hospital SSDI      Social Security Disability Insurance SSI       Supplemental Security Income VAWA      Violence Against Women Act VOCA      Victims of Crime Act VOOP Violation Order of Protection WRAP      Wellness Recovery Action Plan